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SEYMOUR  DURST 


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Except  a  loaned  book." 


Avi  ky  Arc  inn  (  ri'RAi.  and  Fink  Arts  Library 
(in  i  <>i  Si  vmock  H.  I)i  ksi  ()i  i)  York  I.ihrakv 


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HISTORY 

OF  THE 

CITYof  NEW  YORK 

I^THREE  VOLUMES 

VOL.  I. 

Containing  overThree  Hundred  Superb  Illustrations 
by  Hosier,  Parsons,  Fredericks,  Gibson, 
Bonville,  E.  A.  Abbey  and  others 


With  rare  old  Engravings  on  Wood  by  Karst,  Bookhunt,  George 
F.  Smith,  Phil  Meeder,  Jr.,  Thomas  L.  Smart,  A.  Bobbit,  John 
P.  Davis,  Joseph  Harley  and  other  Masters  of  this  lost  art 


Rare  Portraits,  Maps,  Documents,  Prints, 
Engravings,  Views,  Plans,  etc. 
Also  much  Genealogical  matter  pertaining  to  the  original 

Jf  ounber*  anb  Settlers  of  J^eto  gork  Citp 

BY 

MARTHA  J.  LAMB 

Reprinted  from  the  Original  Plates  to  Commemorate  the  Centennial  of  the 

1822  jHonroc  ©octrtne  1922 

BY  • 

Valentine's  Manual,  Inc. 

15  East  40TH  Street 
NEW  YORK 


Copyright  1877,  1880,  1896 
by  A.  S.  Barnes  &  Co. 

Copyright  1921 
by  Valentine's  Manual,  Inc. 
New  York 


PREFACE. 


T 


HIS  work  is  the  outgrowth  of  more  than  a  dozen  years  of  careful 
study  and  persistent  research.     The  subject  is  one  of  unusual  in- 


terest ;  and  notwithstanding  the  immense  labor  involved,  it  has  attracted 
and  diverted  rather  than  wearied  the  author,  and  kept  the  soul  stirred 
with  constantly  increasing  enthusiasm.  The  outlook  will  speak  for 
itself  to  every  intelligent  reader.  A  wooded  island  upon  the  border  of 
a  vast,  unexplored,  picturesque  wild,  three  thousand  miles  from  civiliza- 
tion, becomes  within  three  centuries  the  seat  of  the  arrogant  metropolis 
of  the  Western  world.  The  narrative  embraces  the  condition  of  Europe 
which  contributed  to  this  remarkable  result,  the  origin  and  birtli  of 
the  city  in  which  we  take  so  much  pride,  its  early  vicissitudes,  the 
various  steps  of  progress  through  which  it  became  powerful,  the  con- 
nection of  causes  and  effects,  the  rise  of  churches,  schools,  colleges, 
charities,  and  other  institutions,  the  machinery,  commercial  and  political, 
witli  all  its  crudities,  breakages,  friction,  and  modern  improvements, 
ever  producing  unlooked-for  events,  its  wars  and  rumors  of  wars,  its 
public  characters  and  foreign  relations,  and  its  social  thread,  knotting 
and  tangling,  but  yet  running  through  all  the  years,  spinning  its  own 
way  and  coiling  itself  into  every  feature  of  the  structure,  —  the  cable, 
indeed,  to  hold  the  multiplicity  of  parts  together.  In  the  language 
of  a  prominent  leader  of  public  opinion,  "hardly  did  old  Rome  herself 
emerge  from  a  more  mysterious  and  fascinating  crucible  of  legend 
and  tradition." 


MAETHA  J.  LAMB. 


iv 


PREFACE. 


It  would  give  me  pleasure  to  mention  all  the  sources  from  which  I 
have  obtained  assistance  in  the  preparation  of  these  volumes,  but 
they  are  legion,  and  the  statement  would  read  like  a  dictionary.  I 
shall,  however,  make  due  acknowledgments,  as  far  as  space  will  permit, 
in  the  Preface  to  Volume  II.  The  most  eminent  scholars  of  the  land 
are  among  those  who  have  given  me  counsel  and  encouragement.  I 
have  never  lost  sight  of  the  magnitude  and  importance  of  the  task 
before  me,  New  York  being  the  central  point  in  all  American  history, 
nor  have  I  in  any  instance  indulged  fancy  at  the  expense  of  historical 
exactness  and  symmetry.  My  first  aim  has  been  to  reach  the  truth, 
in  which  pursuit  I  have  spared  no  pains.  My  original  purpose  to 
produce  a  standard  authority  has  been  my  latest  purpose.  Facts  be- 
fore finding  a  place  in  my  pages  have  been  subjected  to  a  searching 
ordeal.  Occasional  errors  may  have  escaped  even  the  closest  vigilance, 
but  such  when  discovered  will  be  corrected.  On  all  matters  where 
difference  of  opinion  exists  I  have  examined  both  sides  without  preju- 
dice or  partiality.  I  have  also  listened  with  deference  to  and  profited 
by  the  judgments  of  the  well-informed.  But  while  I  have  left  no 
stone  unturned  in  the  way  of  securing  the  broadest  light  and  the  most 
unexceptional  aid,  I  am  alone  responsible  for  what  I  have  written. 

If,  in  the  treatment  of  a  subject  which  combines  so  many  sources 
of  thrilling  interest,  and  which  is  dear  to  the  heart  of  every  American 
citizen,  I  have  given  warmth  and  color  as  well  as  life  and  expression 
to  realities,  and  found  favor  with  the  great  sympathetic  reading  public, 
then  my  labor  has  not  been  in  vain. 

MARTHA  J.  LAMB. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Manhattan  Island.  — Earliest  Records  of  America.  —  The  Icelanders.  The  Fifteenth  Cen- 
tury. —  Venetian  Commerce.  —  Christopher  Columbus.  —  England.  —  The  Cabots.  — The 
Portuguese. — Vasco  da  Gama. — The  Fishermen  of  Brittany  and  Normandy. — New- 
foundland. —  The  Spaniards.  — Verrazano  Estevan  Gomez.  —  The  English  Again.  — The 
Dutch.  —  Belgium.  —  Usselincx  and  John  of  Barneveld. — The  East  and  West  India 
Companies   .       ...       •      .       .  11-25 

CHAPTER  II. 

Henry  Hudson.  —  His  Voyages. —  He  discovers  Manhattan  Island.  —  His  Voyage  up  the 
Hudson  River.  —  His  Visit  to  an  Indian  Chief.  —  His  Tragical  Fate.  —  American  Furs.  — 
Settlement  of  Virginia.  —  Voyages  to  Manhattan. — The  Fur  Trade. — Burning  of  the 
Tiger. —  Building  of  a  Ship  at  Manhattan. — Description  of  Manhattan  Island. — The 
Manhattan  Indians.  —  Customs  and  Dress.  —  Money  and  Politics.  —  Trading  Privileges    26  -  39 

CHAPTER  III. 

The  Hague.  — John  of  Barneveld.  — New  Netherland.  — New  England.  — The  First  Fort  at 
Manhattan.  —  Political  Commotion  in  Holland.  —  John  of  Barneveld's  Execution.  —  Im- 
prisonment of  Grotius.  —  The  West  India  Company.  — The  Amsterdam  Chamber.  —  The 
First  Settlers  of  New  Netherland.  —  Death  of  the  Prince  of  Orange.  —  Death  of  James  I. 
—  The  Marriage  of  Charles  I. — The  First  Governor  of  New  Netherland  .       .       .  40-52 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Peter  Minuet.  — The  First  Buildings. —  The  Horse-Mill.  —  The  First  Girl  born  in  New 
Netherland.  —  Diplomatic  Correspondence.  —  The  Embassy  to  Plymouth.  —  New  Neth- 
erland not  a  Pecuniary  Success.  —  The  Charter  of  Freedom  and  Exemptions.  —  The  Ma- 
norial Lords.  —  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer.  —  The  Van  Rensselaer  Manor-House. —The 
Great  Ship. —Governor  Minuet  and  Recall.  —  Wrangling  among  the  Directors  of  the 
Company  53-65 

CHAPTER  V. 

Wouter  Van  Twiller.  —  Captain  De  Vries.  —  Van  Twiller  and  the  English  Vessel.  —  Captain 
De  Vnes  and  the  Governor.  —  The  First  Minister.  —  The  First  Church  and  Parsonage.  - 
The  First  Schoolmaster.  —  Buildings  and  Improvements.  —  New  Amsterdam.  -  Begin- 
nings of  Hartford.  —  Troubles  with  the  English.  —  Quarrels  with  the  Patroons.  -  -  Quar- 
rels with  the  English.  —  Fort  Amsterdam.  —  Excess  and  Irregularities.  —  Purchase  of 
Land.  —  Governor  Van  Twiller's  Recall     .   66-81 

CHAPTER  VI.. 

Governor  William  Kieft.  —  The  Extraordinary  Council.  —  Abuses.  —  Proclamations.  —  The 
Dominie's  Wedding.  —  A  Curious  Slander  Case.  —  The  First  Perry  to  Long  Island.  —  En- 
croachments of  the  Swedes.  —  A  New  Policy.  —  Captain  De  Vries's  A  rrival!  The  Pioneer 
Settlers.  —  Oloff  Stevensen  Van  Cortlandt.  —  English  Ambition.  —  Captain  De  Vries's 


vi 


COXTEXTS. 


Travels  and  what  he  Saw.  —  Purchase  of  Indian  Lands.  —  Trouble  with  the  Indians.  — 
The  New  Charter  of  Freedom  and  Exemptions.  —  The  Store-Keeper.  —  The  Six  Murder- 
ers.—  Municipal  Regulations.  — The  First  Marine  Telegraph  in  the  Harbor  .  82-96 


CHAPTER  VII. 


Indian  Vengeance. — The  First  Popular  Assembly. — Kieft's  Disappointment  —  Death  of 
Peter  Minuet.  —  Effort  of  the  Twelve  Men  to  institute  Reforms.  —  The  Governor's  Procla- 
mation. —  The  Dutch  and  English  Discussion  of  the  Boundary  Question  — A  Flaw  in  the 
Title  to  New  Netherland. —  Religious  Persecution.  —  The  First  Tavern. —  The  New  Church. 
—  Raising  Money  at  a  Wedding.  —  The  First  English  Secretary.  —  The  Year  of  Blood.  — 
The  Blood  Atonement. — The  Shrove-Tide  Dinner-Party.  —  The  Inhuman  Massacre. — 
General  Uprising  of  the  Indians.  —  Overtures  for  Peace.  —  The  Hollow  Truce.  —  The  Sec- 
ond Representative  Body.  —  A  Page  of  Horrors  97-115 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Confiscation  of  Shoes.  — The  Doomed  Village.  — Trials  for  Want  of  Money.  — Action  of 
the  West  India  Company.  —  Kieft's  Quarrels. — The  War  Ended. — The  Great  Indian 
Treaty  of  Peace.  —  Minerals.  —  The  New  School.  —  Adriaen  Van  der  Donck. — Van 
Rensselaer's  Death.  — The  New  Coventor.  —  Stnyvesant's  Reception.  —  Governor  Stuy- 
vesant. — Mrs.  Peter  Stuyvesaut.  —  Mrs.  Bayard  116-130 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Political  Events  in  Europe.  —  Holland  and  the  Hollanders.  —  The  Sabbath  in  New  York.  — 
The  First  Surveyors.  —  Kuyter  and  Melyn.  and  their  Trial  for  Rebellion.  —  The  Wreck 
of  the  Princess.  —  Kip.  —  Govert  Loockermans.  —  First  Fire-Wardens.  —  Schools  and 
Education.  —  Rensselaerswick  a  Power.  —  The  Governor's  Failure.  —  Civil  War  in  Eng- 
land. —  Van  Cortlandt.  —  Van  der  Donck.  —  Melyn.  — The  Quarrel.  — Van  der  Donck 
in  Holland. — Isaac  Allerton  131-149 


CHAPTER  X. 

The  Confiscated  Vessel.  —  Governor  Stuyvesant's  Body-Guard. — Rensselaerswick. — The 
Schuyler  Family. — The  Navigation  Act.  —  Rev.  Samuel  Drisius. — African  Slavery. — 
The  Birth  of  the  City.  — The  First  City  Fathers.  —  Allan!  Anthony.  — William  Beek- 
man.  —  The  Prayer  of  the  City  Fathers.  —  Military  Preparations.  —  Van  der  Donck.  — 
Hon.  Nicasius  De  Sille. — The  Diet  of  New  Amsterdam.  —  Oliver  Cromwell.  —  Peace 
between  England  and  Holland  150-168 


CHAPTER  XI. 

City  Taxation.  — The  Swedes.  —  The  Long  Island  Ferry.  —  Thomas  Pell.  —  Lady  Moody's 
Library.  —  The  Gay  Repast.  —  First  City  Seal.  —  Christmas.  —  New  Year's.  —  The  City 
Hall. —The  First  Church  on  Long  Island.  —  Dominie  Polhenius.  —  The  Expedition 
against  the  Swedes.  —  The  Indian  Horror.  —  Van  Tienhoven's  Downfall.  —  The  Lutheran 
Persecution.  —  City  Progress.  —  Dominie  Drisius.  —  Burgher  Rights.  —  Unique  Laws.  — 
The  Quaker  Persecution  —  Hodgson  at  the  Wheelbarrow.  —  Stuyvesant's  Interview  with 
the  Indian  Chiefs.  —  "  Whitehall."  —  Stuyvesant's  Country-Seat.  —  Indian  Hostilities. 
—  Oliver  Cromwell's  Death  ^ 


CHAPTER  XII. 

The  Restoration.  -  Charles  II.  -  The  Connecticut  Charter.  -  Sir  George  Downing.  -  George 
Baxter  and  John  Scott,      Progress  of  the  City.  -  The  Antiquarian  Map.  -  Hie  Quakers. 

-  Destruction  of  Esopus.  -  The  Indian  War  of  1663.  -  Governor  Stuyvesaut  in  Boston. 

-  Thomas  Benedict.  The  Embassy  to  Connecticut.  -  Startling  (  ondition  of  Affairs.  - 
John  Scott.  Hon.  Jeremiad  Van  ' Rensselaer.  -  The  Convention  ot  1664.  Mrs.  or. 
Kiersted.  Planning  of  Charles  II.  and'his  Ministers.  -  An  Unfriendly  Expedition 
New  Amsterdam  in  Danger.  Preparations  for  a  Siege.  Winthrops  Interview  with 
Stuyvesant.  -  The  Letter.  The  Approaching  Storm.  —  The  Crisis.  —  The  Surrender.  - 
New  York.  —  Consequences  of  the  Conquest.  —  Stuyvesant  at  the  Hague.  —  Hie  »"'y- 
vesant  Pear-Tree.  —  The  Stuyvesant  Family  UH-W1 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


New  York.  —  The  Duke  of  York.     Governor  Ni.  olls.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johannes  Van  Brugh. 
—  The  Brodhead  Family.  -    Albany.     The  Taking  of  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  Eng- 


CONTENTS. 


vii 


land.  —  Sir  Robert  Carr  at  Delaware  Bay.  —  An  Extraordinary  Complication .  —  Connect- 
icut Diplomacy.  —  The  Dividing  Line  between  Connecticut  and  New  York.  —  New  Jer- 
sey.-- Elizabethtown. —  Johannes  De  Peyster.  —  Interesting  Controversy. — Court  of 
Assizes.  —  Nicolls  a  Law-Maker.  —  The  Hempstead  Convention.  —  "  The.  Duke's  Laws." 
—  The  First  Race-Course  on  Long  Island.  —  The  First  Vineyard  on  Long  island.  —  The 
First  Mayor  of  New  York.  —  The  First  Aldermen.  —  John  Lawrence.  —  Nicholas  Bay- 
ard. —  Symptoms  of  War.  —  Secret  Orders.  —  War  Declared.  —  Cornelis  Steenwyck.  — 
The  Plague  in  London.  — The  Great  Fire  in  London.  —  England's  Disgrace.  —  Clarendon's 
Fall.  —  New  York's  Miseries.  —  Nicolls's  Wisdom.  —  Witchcraft.  —  The  Manors  of  Gar- 
diner and  Shelter  Islands.  —  Nicolls  asks  for  his  Recall  218-240 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Colonel  Francis  Lovelace.  —  Nicolls  and  Lovelace.  —  Cornelis  Steenwyck's  House. — The 
City  Livery.  —  Nicholas  Bayard.  —  Fever  and  Ague  in  New  York.  —  The  End  of  Com- 
mercial Intercourse  with  Holland.  —  Louis  XIV.  —  France.  —  The  Triple  Alliance.  —  So- 
cial Visiting  in  New  York  in  1669.  —  A  Prosperous  Era.  —  The  Dutch  Reformed  Church. 

—  The  Sabbath  in  New  York  Two  Hundred  Years  Ago. — Dress  of  the  Period.  —  The 
Lutheran  Minister.  —  Witchcraft.  —  The  First  Exchange.  —  Rebellion  on  Long  Island.  — 
The  Purchase  of  Staten  Island.  —  Charles  II.  and  Louis  XIV.  —  The  Prince  of  Orange. 

—  Assassination  of  the  De  Witts.  — War  between  England  and  Holland.  —  Fierce  Battles 
in  Europe.  —  The  Death  of  Colonel  Nicolls.  —  The  First  Post  between  New  York  and 
Boston.  —  Lovelace  in  Hartford.  —  The  Dutch  Squadron  in  New  York  Bay.  —  Capture  of 
New  York  by  the  Dutch.  —  New  Orange  241-258 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Admiral  Evertsen.  —  The  New  Municipal  Officers.  — The  Conquered  Territory.  —  Taking  the 
Oath.  —  Lovelace's  Private  Losses.  —  Governor  Anthony  Colve.  —  Rumors  of  War  with 
New  England.  —  Austria  and  Spain  to  the  Rescue  of  Holland.  —  The  Famous  Test  Act. 
—  Mary  of  Modena.  — The  Marriage  of  the  Duke  of  York.  — The  Sacrifice  of  New  Neth- 
erlan'd.  —  The  Treaty  of  Westminster. — Sir  Edmund  Andros.  —  Lieutenant-Governor 
Anthony  Brockholls.  —  New  Jersey.  —  Long  Island.  — Governor  Colve's  Farewell.  —  The 
Reception  of  Governor  Andros.  —Dominie  Van  Rensselaer. —  Frederick  Philipse. — 
Captain  Manning.  —  Stringent  Measures.  —  Imprisonment  of  Leading  Citizens.  —  Indian 
War  in  New  England.  —  Robert  Livingston.  —  Andros  and  the  Connecticut  Delegates.  — 
City  Improvements.  — Tanneries  along  Maiden  Lane.  — Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  — The 
Celebrated  Bolting  Act.  —  Indian  and  Negro  Slaves  .   259-279 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

European  Affairs.  —  Prince  of  Orange  in  London.  —  Marriage  of  William  and  Mary.  —  Peace 
between  Holland  and  France.  — Jacob  Leisler.  —  The  Climate  of  New  York.  —  The  Min- 
ister's Supper.  —  Conversation  in  Latin.  —  Ecclesiastical  Troubles.  —  Hunting  Bears  be- 
tween Cedar  Street  and  Maiden  Lane.  —  The  two  Labadists.  —  Jean  Vigne.  —  The  Trav- 
elers on  Long  Island.  —  Sleeping  in  a  Barn.  —  The  First  Classis  in  America.  —  Movement 
to  build  a  New  Church.  —  The  Uneasy  Indians.  —  New  Jersey.  —  Arrest  and  Trial  of 
Governor  Carteret.  ■—  East  and  West  New  Jersey.  —  Faulty  Deeds.  —  Imperiousness  of 
Andros. —William  Penn's  Sophistry.  —  Opinion  of  Sir  William  Jones.  —  Complaints 
against  Andros.  —  Founding  of  Pennsylvania.  —  Recall  of  Andros.  —  Clamor  for  an  As- 
sembly. —  Lieutenant-Governor  Brockholls.  —  Almost  a  Colonial  Revolution.  —  Long 
Island.  —  Insubordination. —An  Assembly  Granted.  —  Thomas  Dongan.  —  The  Trium- 
phal March   280-299 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Governor  Thomas  Dongan.  —  Mayor  William  Beekman.  —  William  Penn  in  New  York. 

—  The  First  New  York  Assembly.  —  Laws  enacted  by  the  Assembly.  —  The  New  York 
Courts.  —  The  Acts  of  the  Assembly.  —  New  York  Contented  and  Prosperous.  —Dominie 
Selyns's  Parsonage.  —  The  Iroquois  a  Wall  of  Defense.  —  A  Brush  with  Connecticut.  — 
Plot  to  assassinate  Charles  II.  and  the  Duke  of  York.  Confusion  in  England.  —  Argu- 
ments in  the  Privy  Council.  —  Arbitrary  Measures.  —  The  City  Charter.  —  The  Sabbath 
Question  in  1684.—  Hotels  and  their  Guests.  —  Funeral  Customs.  —  Powder  Magazine. 

—  Lord  Effingham  in  New  York.  —  The  Great  Indian  Conference.  —  The  Auspicious 
New  Year. —The  Sudden  Revulsion.  —  The  Death  of  Charles  II. —Scenes  and  Inci- 
dents. —  James  II.  proclaimed  King  of  England. —The  New  King's  Promises. — The 
Gradual  Grasp  of  Power.  —  Inconsistencies  of  James  II.  —  Effect  upon  New  York. — 
Juries  in  1685.  -Mason  and  Dixon's  Line.  —  William  Penn's  Influence  at  Court.  — The 
Dongan  Charter.  —  New  City  Seal.  —  The  Albany  Charter.  — The  Livingston  Manor.  — 
Philip  Livingston   300-320 


viii 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Catholicism  in  New  York.  —  Absurd  Alarms.  —  Persecution  in  France.  —  The  Assembly 
abolished  in  New  York. — Sir  Edmund  Andros  in  Boston. — Connecticut  and  her  Two 
Wooers.  —  Connecticut  loses  her  Charter.  —  The  Post- Route.  —  Governor  Dongan  a 
Statesman. — Albany  in  Danger. — The  English,  French,  and  Iroquois. — Consolidation 
of  the  Colonies.  —  New  York  swallowed  by  New  England.  —  Sir  Edmund  Andros.  —  The 
Exiled  Huguenots.  — Extraordinary  Acts  of  James  II.  —  The  Seven  Bishops.  —  Birth  of 
the  Prince  of  Wales.  —  Mary,  Princess  of  Orange.  — The  Character  of  William  III.  — 
The  Political  Marriage. — A  Domestic  Romance. — William's  Purposes. — William's 
Expedition  to  England.  — Revolution  in  England.  — The  King's  Despair.  — Abdication 
of  the  Throne  by  James  II.  —  William's  Reception  in  London.  —  William  and  Mary 
crowned  Sovereigns  of  England   321  -  3:16 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

The  Revolution.  —  Sir  William  Phipps.  —  Rev.  Dr.  Increase  Mather.  —  The  Bill  and  its 
Fate.  —  The  News  in  New  York.  —  The  News  in  Boston.  —  Revolution  in  Boston.  — 
Revolution  throughout  New  England.  —  New  York  Alarmed.  —  The  Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor and  his  Council.  —  The  Public  Money.  —  Anxiety  and  Precautionary  Measures.  — 
The  Militia  of  New  York.  —  Jacob  Leisler.  —  The  Cargo  of  Wine.  —  The  Cloud  on  Long 
Island.  —  Wild  Rumors.  —  Plot  to  destroy  New  York.  —  Lieutenant  Henry  Cuyler.  — 
Revolution  in  New  York.  —  Confusion.  —  Leisler' s  Declaration. — The  Black  Saturday. 

—  Events  of  Monday  The  False  Alarm  and  its  Results.  —  The  Disabled  Government. 

—  Philip  French.  —  Lcisler's  Correspondence.  —  Nicholson  sails  for  England.  —  Leisler's 
Infatuation.  —  Captains  De  Peyster  and  Stuyvesant.  —  Proclamation  of  William  and 
Mary.  —  Drinking  the  New  King's  Health.  —  Riotous  Conduct.  —  The  Fight  at  the  Cus- 
tom-House.  —  Colonel  Bayard's  Escape.  —  Leisler's  Convention.  —  The  "  Committee  of 
Safety. "  —  The  Mayor's  Court.    337-358 


CHAPTER  XX. 

New  York  under  Leisler.  —  The  Elections  of  1689.  —  Mrs.  Van  Cortlandt's  Courage.  —  Leis- 
ler's Executive  Ability.  —  Albany  in  Peril.  —  Independence  of  Albany.  —  Mayor  Peter 
Schuyler. — Milborne's  Defeat.  —Connecticut  to  the  Rescue. — Colonel  Nicholas  Bay- 
ard.—  Captain  Lodwyck  in  Disgrace. — Captain  De  Peyster  in  Disgrace.  -  The  Rough 
Search  for  Colonel  Bayard.  —  William  III.  of  England.  The  Tangle  in  New  York.  — 
The  King's  Letter  to  Nicholson.  —  New  York  threatened  by  the  French.  —  Leisler's 
Agent  at  Whitehall.  —  Matthew  Clarkson.  —  The  King's  Letter  seized  by  Leisler.  —  Leis- 
ler's Assumption. —  An  Outburst  of  Rage.  —  Philip  French  in  a  Dungeon. — The  Jails 
and  Prisons  Idled.  —  Arrest  of  Colonel  Bayard.  —  Arrest  of  William  Nicolls.  —  Pursuit 
of  Robert  Livingston.  -*- The  French  on  the  War- Path. -- Burning  of  Schenectady. — 
Shocking  Massacre.  — Albany  Appalled.  —  Albany  submits  to  Leisler.  — The  First  Colo- 
nial Congress  in  America.  —  Leisler's  Vigor.  —  Wholesale  Complaints.  —  Connecticut's 
Rebuke.  —  Despotic  Laws.  —  New  Rochelle. — Wedding  of  Leisler's  Daughter. — Ad- 
vice from  Boston.  —  The  Government  of  New  York  as  ordained  by  William  III.  —  Ar- 
rival of  Lieutenant-Governor  Ingoldsby.  —  The  City  in  Tumult.  —  Leisler  Aggressive.  — 
Bloodshed  in  New  York.  —  Governor  Sloughter's  Arrival.  —  Leisler  Imprisoned.  —  The 
Sunday  Sermon.  — The  Trial  of  Leisler  and  his  Council.  —  Leisler  and  Milborne  under 
Sentence  of  Death.— The  Assembly  of  1691.  —  Dr.  Gerardus  Beekman.  —  Sloughter's 
Character.  —  Signing  of  the  Death-Warrant.  —  The  Execution  of  Leisler  and  Milborne.  — 
Impressive  Scenes.  —  Effects  of  Leisler's  Death.  —  The  French  and  Indian  War.  —  Death 
of  Sloughter.  —  Ingoldsby  Commander-in-Chief. — Etienne  De  Lancey.    .      .  359-397 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Abraham  De  Peyster.  —  Effects  of  the  Revolution.  —  The  two  Hostile  Factions.  —  The  Gar- 
den Street  Church. — Origin  of  Water  Street.  —  Public  Paupers.  —  City  Legislation. 
Condition  of  the  Province.  -The  Corporation  Dinner.  —  Governor  Fletcher.  —  Fletcher 
studying  the  Indians.  —  The  Gift  of  a  Gold  Cup.  —  Fletcher's  Difficulties.-  Boston 
meddling.  . —  Caleb  Ilcathcote.  —  A  Curious  Romance.  —-The  Assembly  Stiff-necked.  — • 
Fletcher  in  Temper.  —  The  First  Printing  in  New  York.  Sir  William  Phipps.  —  Official 
Stealing.  —  Livingston  in  England.  —  Young  Leisler  at  William's  Court.  Wrangling  in 
the  Assembly.  Accusations  and  Counter-Accusations.  Fletcher's  Speech.  Shock- 
ing Brutalities.  —  Fletcher's  Character  on  Trial.  Livingston  criticised  by  Fletcher. — 
De  Peyster's  New  House.  -De  Peyster's  Descendants.  Miller's  Description  of  New 
Yoik.  Dominie  Selyns's  Piracy.  Mrs.  Fletcher  and  her  Daughters.  Captain  Kidd. 
-  The  Expedition  against  Piracy. —  Kidd  the  Prince  of  Pirates.  The  Repeal  of 
Bolting  und  Baking  Acts.  -  First  Opening  of  Nussuu  Street.     The   First  Lighting 


CONTENTS. 


ix 


of  the  City.  —  The  First  Night- Watch.  —  The  Earl  of  Bellomont.  —  Bellomont's  Re- 
forms. —  Bellomont's  Collision  with  the  Merchants.  — The  Acts  of  Trade.  —  The  Peace 
of  Ryswick. — The  Landed  Estates  Attacked.  —  James  Graham. — Dominie  Dellius. — 
Bellomont's  Mortifications.  — The  Dutch  Church.  —  Bellomont  in  Boston.  — The  Board 
of  Trade. — Deaths  of  Graham,  Van  Cortlandt,  and  Bellomont  .       .       .       .       .  398-447 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Colonel  William  Smith.  —  Conflict  in  the  Council.  —  Lieutenant-Governor  Nanfan.  —  Illegal 
Voting.  —  Robert  Livingston  in  Disgrace.  —  Mrs.  Gertrude  Van  Cortlandt.  —  The  City 
Elections.  —  Extraordinary  Confusion. — Mayor  Noell. — Chief  Justice  Atwood. — 
Manor-House  of  Caleb  Heathcote. —  Trial  of  Nicholas  Bayard  for  Treason. — Death  of 
William  III.  — Lord  Cornbury.  —  Bayard's  Sentence  Reversed.  — The  Yellow  Fever.  — 
The  Church  Quarrel.  —  Lady  Bellomont.  —  The  Leisler  Bill.  — Death  of  Frederick  Phil- 
ipse.  —  Philipse  Manor. — Philipse  Will.  —  The  French  Church. — Trinity  Church. — 
Queen  Anne.  —  Excitements.  — The  Treasurer  of  the  Province.  —  Death  of  Lady  Corn- 
bury.  —  Lord  Cornbury  and  the  two  Presbyterian  Ministers.  — The  Assembly  of  1708.  — 
Spirited  Resolutions.  — Lord  Lovelace.  —  First  Paper  Money  in  New  York.  —  Five  In- 
dian Chiefs  at  Queen  Anne's  Court.  —  The  Silver  Vase  presented  to  Schuyler  by  Queen 
Anne   448-480 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Governor  Robert  Hunter.  — Hunter's  Life  and  Character.  —  Hunter's  Correspondence  with 
Swift.  —  Hunter's  Counselors. — John  Barbaric.  —  Rip  Van  Dam. — The  Germans. — 
Livingston  Manor.  —  Hunter's  Country-Seat.  —  "  Androborus. "  — The  City  Finances.  — 
Negro  Slaves.  —  Lobsters.  —  Origin  of  the  Debt  of  England.  —  Prophecies.  —  The  Cana- 
dian Campaign.  —  The  Disappointment.  — The  Negro  Insurrection.  —  City  Improvements. 
The  Assembly.  —  Death  of  Queen  Anne. — George  I.  — Chief  Justice  Lewis  Morris. — 
Robert  Watts.  — The  New  York  Families. — James  Alexander. — First  Presbyterian 
Church. — Wall  Street.  —  Potatoes.  —  Hunter's  Farewell  Address.  — Peter  Schuyler  in 
Command  of  New  York  481-510 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Governor  William  Burnet. — Social  Events.  —  Burnet's  Marriage.  —  Dr.  Cadwallader  Col- 
den. —  Robert  Livingston  Speaker  of  the  Assembly. — John  Watson  the  First  Portrait- 
Painter. —  Robert  Walters. — Burnet's  Indian  Policy.  —  Rev.  Jonathan  Edwards.  : — 
Burnet's  Council.  —  Young  Men  going  West.  —  Burnet's  Theology.  —  The  French  Prot- 
estants.-- Stephen  De  Lancey.  —  William  Bradford.  —  The  First  Newspaper  in  New 
York.  —  The  Silver-toned  Bell.  —  Burnet  and  the  Indian  Chiefs.  —  Death  of  George  I.  — 
Burnet's  Departure  for  Boston.  —  The  New  Powder  Magazine.  —  Governor  John  Mont- 
gomery. —  Conference  with  the  Indians  at  Albany.  —  James  DeLancey.  — The  First  Li- 
brary in  New  York.  —  The  Jews'  Burial-Place.  —  The  City  Charter.  —  First  Fire-Engine 
in  New  York.  —  First  Engine-House.  —  Rip  Van  Dam  President  of  Council  and  Acting 
Governor  of  New  York   .  511-539 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

Governor  Cosby.  —  Rip  Van  Dam.  —  Exciting  Lawsuit.  —  Opinion  of  Chief  Justice  Mor- 
ris. —  The  Council.  —  The  Judges.  —  The  Removal  of  Chief  Justice  Morris.  —  James  De 
Lancey  appointed  Chief  Justice.  —  Courtesy  to  Foreign  Visitors. — Lord  Fitzroy.  —  A 
Little  Romance.  —  Marriage  of  George  Cosby.  —  Taxes.  —  Fashions.  —  Morris  at  the 
Court  of  England. — William  Bradford.  —  The  New  Newspaper  in  New  York.  —  John 
Peter  Zenger.  —  Arrest  and  Imprisonment  of  Zenger.  —  The  Famous  Trial.  —  Chief  Justice 
DeLancey.  —  Andrew  Hamilton.  —  Definition  of  Libel.  —  Chambers  Address.  —  Hamilton 
Arguments.  —  Acquittal  of  Zenger.  —  Exciting  Scenes.  —  Paul  Richards. — The  City 
Watch.  —  Cortlandt  Street.  —  The  Poor-House.  —  Rip  Van  Dam.  —  Cosby's  Sickness  and 
Death.  —  Contest  between  Rip  Van  Dam  and  George  Clarke.  —  George  Clarke  Lieutenant- 
Governor  of  New  York.  —  Mrs.  Clarke.  —  Lewis  Morris  Governor  of  New  Jersey.  — 
Social  Life  in  New  York.  —  The  Election  of  1737   540  -570 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


FULL-PAGE  ENGRAVINGS. 


Manhattan  Island  in  Primitive  Solitude 
De  Vries  expressing  an  Opinion 

Council  Scene   

Surrender  of  New  York   

The  First  Horse-Race  in  New  York 
The  Duke  of  York  and  William  Penn    . . 

Dongan  and  the  Quaker  Agents  

Revolutionary  Scenes  (1689)   

Fletcher  and  the  Pirate   

Schuyler  at  the  Court  of  Queen  Anne   . . . 

Burnet  and  the  Indian  Sachems  

The  Zenger  Trial  


Page 
1 

..  70 
..  170 
..  213 
..  229 
..  298 
..  302 
..  350 
..  423 
...  479 
517 
553 


ILLUSTRATIONS  IN  TEXT. 


Page 

1.  Group  of  Ladies  showing  Fashions  of  the 


Day   13 

2.  Group  of  Gentlemen  showing  Fashions 

of  the  Day   19 

3.  East  India  Company's  House   22 

4.  Portrait  of  John  of  Barneveld   25 

5.  Hudson's  Ship   28 

6.  Burning  of  the  Tiger   34 

7.  View  of  the  Vyverberg  at  the  Hague...  39 

8.  West  India  Company's  House   47 

9.  Flag  of  West  India  Company   48 

10.  Landing  of  the  Walloons  at  Albany   52 

11.  The  First  Warehouse   55 

12.  Dutch  Windmills   59 

13.  Van  Rensselaer  Manor-House  in  1874...  62 

14.  Purchase  of  Manhattan  Island   65 

15.  Autograph  of  Wonter  Van  Twiller   66 

16.  Portrait  of  De  Vries   68 

17.  First  View  of  New  Amsterdam   77 


Page 

18.  Trading  with  the  Indians   81 

19.  Autograph  of  Everdus  Bogardus   85 

20.  First  Ferry  to  Long  Island   87 

21.  Van  Cortlandt  Manov-House   90 

22.  First  Marine  Telegraph   96 

23.  Dutch  Architecture  in  New  Amsterdam  98 

24.  Stadt  Huys   106 

25.  Inside  of  Fort,  with  Governor's  House 

and  Church   107 

26.  Group  showing  Holland  Fashions   117 

27.  Autograph  of  Stuyvesant   126 

28.  Portrait  of  Peter  Stuyvesant   127 

29.  Stuyvesant's  Seal   130 

30.  Interior  of  Stadt  Huys,  Amsterdam   133 

31.  Kip's  Arms'   137 

32.  Van  Rensselaer  Arms  on  Window    140 

33.  Van  Cortlandt  Arms   143 

34.  Seal  of  New  Netherland,  1623   149 

35.  Schuyler  Arms  on  Window   153 


xii 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Page 


36.  Schuyler  Mansion  at  the  Flats   154 

37.  Kip's  Mansion   159 

38.  Autograph  of  Nicasius  de  Sille   166 

39.  De  Sille's  House   167 

40.  First  Seal  of  New  Amsterdam   173 

41.  View  of  New  York,  1656   180 

42.  Medal  of  Oliver  Cromwell   191 

43.  Portrait  of  Hon.  Jeremias  Van  Rensse- 

laer  205 

44.  Autograph  of  Hon.  Jeremias  Van  Rens- 

selaer  206 

45.  Stuyvesant's  Pear-Tree    215 

46.  Stuyvesant's  Tomb   216 

47.  "  Petersheld "    and     "The  Bowery 

House  "   217 

48.  Autograph  of  Johannes  De  Peyster   225 

49.  Silverware  of  the  De  Peysters   225 

50.  Portrait  of  Steenwyck   234 

51.  Autograph  of  Steenwyck   234 

52.  Steenwyck's  House   243 

53.  Portrait  of  Steendam   247 

51.  Gold  Chatelaine  of  Mrs.  Leister   251 

55.  Portrait  of  Evertsen   259 

56.  Portrait  of  Andros   267 

57.  Philipse  Coat  of  Arms   270 

58.  Livingston  Coat  of  Arms   275 

59.  The  Minister's  Supper   279 

60.  View  of  the  Water  Gate  (Wall  Street)  287 

61.  View  of  North  Dock   288 

62.  View  of  New  York  from  the  North   289 

63.  View  of  East  River  Shore  above  Water 

Gate   295 

64.  Beekman  House,  Rhineluck   301 

65.  Dutch  Church,  Sleepy  Hollow   305 

66.  Clermont,  Lower  Manor-House    319 

67.  Livingston  Manor-House  in  1876   320 

68.  Governor  Dongan's  House   326 

69.  The  First  French  Church  in  New  York  329 


Page 

70.  Portrait  of  William  III   331 

71.  Second  Seal  of  City  of  New  York   336 

72.  Autograph  of  Jacob  Leisler   345 

73.  Leisler's  House  in  the  Strand   349 

74.  Portrait  of  Hon.  Peter  Schuyler   357 

75.  Portrait  of  Dr.  Gerardus  Beekman  360 

76.  Autograph  of  Nicholas  Bayard   365 

77.  Beekman  Arms   386 

78.  Portrait  of  Livingston   395 

79.  Portrait  of  Col.  Abraham  De  Peyster..  399 

80.  Portrait  of  Mrs.  De  Peyster   401 

81.  Garden  Street  Dutch  Church,  built  in 

1698   407 

82.  De  Peyster  Arms   420 

83.  Portrait  of  Rev.  Will  Vesey   437 

84.  City  Hall,  Wall  Street   443 

85.  View  of  New  York  in  1704   455 

86.  Portrait  of  Lord  Cornbury   460 

87.  Philipse  Manor-House   466 

88.  Castle  Philipse,  Tarrytown   467 

89.  The  Schuyler  Vase   480 

90.  Autograph  of  Lewis  Morris   487 

91.  The  Beekman  Coach   496 

92.  Portrait  of  Chief  Justice  Lewis  Morris  499 

93.  Morris  Arms   510 

94.  Portrait  of  Governor  Burnet   512 

95.  Portrait  of  Mrs.  Burnet   513 

96.  Presbyterian  Church,  Wall  Street   518 

97.  The  Silver-Toned  Bell   524 

98.  Portrait  of  Caleb  Heathcote   531 

99.  Lewis  Morris  House,  Morrisania   539 

100.  Seal  and  Autograph  of  De  Lancey   543 

101.  Portrait  of  Rip  Van  Dam   546 

102.  Portrait  of  Mrs.  Van  Dam   547 

103.  Portrait  of  Andrew  Hamilton   551 

104.  First  City  Poor-House   559 

105.  The  Beekman  House   569 

106.  The  Gardiner  Arms   570 


ARTISTS  AND  ENGRAVERS. 


xiii 


MAPS. 

Page 

1.  Map  of  Anetje  Jans's  Farm  ...        ...    ...    ...    79 

2.  Map  of  Stuyvesant's  Bouwery   188 

3.  Miller's  Map  of  New  York  in  1664    196 

4.  Map  of  French,  English,  Dutch,  Swedish,  and  Spanish  Possessions  or  Claims  in  1665       ...  218 

5.  Map  of  New  York  in  1695    421 

6.  Map  of  "De  Peyster  Garden,"  Wall  Street,  in  1718  ■   505 

7.  Lyne's  Map  of  New  York  in  1728    534 


ARTISTS. 

J.  D.  Woodward,  Alfred  Fredericks,  Sol  Eytinge,  George  E.  White,  C.  S.  Reinhart, 
Thomas  Beach,  Abram  Hosier,  Samuel  Wallin. 


ENGRAVERS. 


John  Karst,  J.  M.  Richardson,  Jos.  Harlet,  Horace  Baker,  E.  Clement,  John  P.  Davis, 
A.  Bobbitt,  Bookhodt,  Spear,  Winham,  Arnold. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


INTRODUCTORY  CHAPTER. 

EARLY  DISCOVERIES. 

Manhattan  Island.  —  Earliest  Records  of  America.  — The  Icelanders.  — The  Fif- 
teenth Century.  —  Venetian  Commerce.  —  Christopher  Columbus.  —  England.  — 
The  Cabots.  — The  Portuguese.  —  Vasco  daGama.  —  The  Fishermen  of  Brittany 
and  Normandy.  —  Newfoundland.  —  The  Spaniards.  —  Verrazano.  —  Estevan 
Gomez.  — The  English  again.  — The  Dutch.  —  Belgium.  — Usselincx  and  john 
of  Barneveld.  — The  East  and  West  India  Companies. 

TWO  hundred  and  sixty-five  years  ago  the  site  of  the  city  of  New 
York  was  a  rocky,  wooded,  canoe-shaped,  thirteen-mile-long  island, 
bounded  by  two  salt  rivers  and  a  bay,  and  peopled  by  dusky  skin-clad 
savages.  A  half-dozen  portable  wigwam  villages,  some  patches  of  to- 
bacco and  corn,  and  a  few  bark  canoes  drawn  up  on  the  shore,  gave 
little  promise  of  our  present  four  hundred  and  fifty  miles  of  streets,  vast 
property  interests,  and  the  encircling  forest  of  shipping.  What  have  been 
the  successive  steps  of  the  extraordinary  transformation  ? 

If  the  lineage,  education,  experiences,  and  character  of  a  distinguished 
personage  are  replete  with  interest  and  instruction,  of  how  much  greater 
moment  is  the  history  of  a  city,  which  is  biography  in  its  most  absolute 
sense  ?  New  York  needs  no  introduction  to  the  reader.  It  occupies  an 
individual  position  among  the  great  cities  of  the  world.  It  is  unlike 
any  of  its  contemporaries.  Its  population  is  a  singular  intermixture  of 
elements  from  all  nations.  Its  institutions  are  the  outgrowth  of  older 
civilizations ;  its  wisdom  and  public  opinion  largely  the  reflection  of  a 
previous  intelligence.  All  the  ideas,  principles,  feelings,  and  traditions 
which  ever  made  their  appearance  have  here  found  a  common  field  in 
which  to  struggle  for  existence,  and  the. result,  in  so  far  as  it  is  devel- 
oped, has  naturally  been  "  the  survival  of  the  fittest."  It  would  not  be 
fair,  however,  to  demand  full  fruits  from  so  young  a  tree.    New  York 


12 


llf STORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


is  a  city  in  the  vigor  of  its  youth,  its  final  growth  yet  to  he  attained ; 
thus  its  history  the  more  especially  deserves  careful  and  elaborate  treat- 
ment. If  we  would  correctly  estimate  the  men  who  laid  its  foundation- 
stones,  we  must  enter  into  the  spirit  of  the  age  in  which  they  lived, 
and  become  to  a  certain  degree  familiar  with  the  world's  progress  at 
that  period.  If  we  would  appreciate  their  proceedings,  we  must  learn 
somewhat  of  national  characteristics  and  the  practical  operation  of  gov- 
ernment and  laws,  in  the  various  countries  which  they  represented.  The 
reader,  therefore,  is  invited  first  to  a  brief  ancestral  discpiisition,  care 
being  taken  to  make  plain  the  causes  which  led  to  the  discovery  and 
settlement  of  Manhattan  Island. 

The  earliest  record  of  the  existence  of  the  American  Continent  is  found 
among  the  literary  legacies  of  the  Icelanders  of  the  tenth  century,  who 
were  superior  to  the  continental  people  of  that  age  both  in  mental  vigor 
and  physical  endurance.  But  their  discoveries  were  the  result  of  hap- 
hazard adventure  rather  than  scientific  probabilities,  and  their  efforts  at 
colonization  were  signal  failures.  From  their  geographical  works  we  find 
that  they  supposed  these  western  lands  to  be  a  part  of  Europe ;  and, 
while  the  accounts  of  their  expeditions  were  carefully  preserved,  not  a 
line  was  committed  to  parchment  until  many  centuries  had  passed,  so 
that  there  is  very  little  reason  for  presuming  that  succeeding  generations 
were  materially  benefited  by  reason  of  them. 
i435  Christopher  Columbus  appeared  upon  the  stage  of  action  just 
as  the  world  was  waking  from  the  long  sleep  of  the  Middle  Ages. 
Marco  Polo  had  made  his  famous  journey  across  the  whole  longitude  of 
Asia,  and  the  manuscript  account  of  his  travels,  dictated  to  a  fellow-pris- 
oner in  a  Genoese  prison,  was  beginning  to  attract  attention  to  the  vast 
and  fertile  countries  he  described,  —  the  cities  running  over  with  diamonds, 
emeralds,  rubies,  and  sapphires,  the  palaces  with  floors' and  roofs  of  solid 
gold,  and  the  rivers  hot  enough  to  boil  eggs. 

The  new  epoch  in  the  art  of  printing  was  also  scattering  information  of 
various  kinds.  The  books  of  the  ancients  were  reproduced,  and  those  who 
could  afford  to  read  —  for  it  was  a  luxury  confined  entirely  to  the  upper 
and  wealthy  classes  —  discovered  that  geometrical  principles  had  been  ap- 
plied to  the  construction  of  maps  by  Ptolemy  in  the  second  century,  and 
that  the  places  of  the  earth  had  been  planned  out  and  descrilied  according 
to  their  several  latitudes  and  longitudes.  Some  geographical  knowl- 
edge was  interwoven  with  a  vast  amount  of  absurd  fiction  and  very  little 
ascertained  fact,  but  the  desire  for  more  lijjht  became  so  great  that  those 
same  curious  old  maps  were  exhumed  and  copied  and  circulated.  They 
must  have  been  appalling  to  the  pioneers  of  maritime  discovery,  for  they 


VENICE.  —  COLrMUVS. 


13 


bristled  from  one  end  to  the  other  with  horrid  forms  and  figures,  and  rep- 
resented the  Occident  as  the  home  of  demons.  A  mighty  impulse  had 
already  been  given  to  navigal  ion  by  means  of  the  magnetic  needle,  and  the 
newly  printed  ancient  stories  a  limit  Carthaginian  sailors  who  had  "  voy- 
aged through  the  Pillars  of  Hercules,  and  found  a  strange  country  sup- 
posed to  he  Asia,"  and  of  adventurous  Greeks  and  Persians,  who  had 
coasted  Africa,  filled  the  very  air  with  speculative  romance. 

India  beyond  the  Ganges  was  the  mythical  land  of  promise.  Its  treas- 
ures came  from  hand  to  hand  through  caravans  and  middle  men  and 
agents  to  Constantinople,  with  which  city  the  Italian  States  were  in  con- 
stant commercial  communication.  But  some  of  the  shrewdest  of  the 
Venetian  and  Genoese  merchants  thought  to  remedy  the  evils  of  the  pain- 
fully long  and  perilous  overland  route,  and  projected  enterprises  by  way 
of  the  Persian  Gulf  and  the  Mediterranean  and  Red  Seas.  They  suc- 
ceeded, but  were  obliged  to  pay  a  heavy  tribute  in  Egypt,  and  no  Chris- 
tian was  at  any  time  allowed  to  pass  through  the  Egyptian  or  Moham- 
medan countries.  Thus  the  producer  and  the  consumer  were  effectually 
kept  asunder. 


1661.  1620.  1560.  1605.  1572.  1515. 


Group  of  ladies,  showing  fashions  of  the  day. 

Constantinople  fell  in  1453,  and  from  that  time  the  business  monopoly 
of  the  Indies  centred  "with  the  Venetians.  Venice  became  the  great 
Western  emporium,  and  attained  such  marvellous  riches  and  rose  to  such  a 
height  of  power  and  grandeur  as  never  were  equalled  either  hefore  or  since. 
The  costliness  of  her  magnificent  buildings,  the  elegance  of  furniture  and 
decorations,  and  the  Style  of  life  among  her  citizens,  was  quite  beyond  de- 
scription. The  learned  Christians  of  Constantinople,  who  had  tied  before 
the  Turks  into  Italy,  became  her  schoolmasters,  and  mathematics,  astron- 


14 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  XEW  YORK. 


omy,  and  the  art  of  navigation  developed  with  singular  rapidity.  People 
began  to  talk  about  a  new  channel  of  communication  with  the  Oriental 
countries,  where  they  could  change  even  the  bark  of  trees  into  money. 

Columbus  had  for  his  birthright  the  intellectual  restlessness  of  the  age. 
As  a  boy,  his  brain  was  filled  with  unformed  projects  and  scientific 
uncertainties.  The  new  theories  as  well  as  the  new  learning  took  root 
within  his  mind  and  grew  with  his  growth.  He  read  what  Aristotle 
had  written  about  the  small  space  of  sea  between  Spain  and  the  eastern 
coast  of  India.  He  speculated  over  what  Seneca  had  said  about  the  ease 
with  which  that  sea  might  be  passed  in  a  few  days  by  the  aid  of  favor- 
able winds.  He  pondered  again  and  again  the  hypothetical  doctrine  that 
the  earth  was  a  sphere.  He  became  a  sailor,  and  applied  his  energies  to 
the  study  of  nautical  science. 

Meanwhile  years  rolled  on.  Islands  in  the  Atlantic  were  discovered, 
and  the  coast  of  Europe,  from  Iceland  to  the  Cape  Verde  Islands,  was 
becoming  known.  Columbus  had  made  several  important  voyages  him- 
self. On  one  occasion  he  visited  Iceland,  which  was  now  a  dependent 
and  neglected  province  of  Denmark,  and  stayed  some  time  in  the  country 
and  conversed  with  the  inhabitants.  Whether  he  obtained  any  knowl- 
edge of  the  early  adventures  of  the  Northmen  it  is  impossible  to  deter- 
mine. But  after  his  return  his  fancies  seem  to  have  taken  more  definite 
shape.  The  question  finally  settled  itself  to  his  satisfaction  that  the  glit- 
tering gold  regions  could  be  reached  by  sailing  due  west ;  and  then  he 
conceived  one  of  the  boldest  designs  in  human  history,  and  pursued  it 
to  its  accomplishment  with  the  firm  resolve  of  a  lofty  genius.  It  was 
from  want  of  a  correct  estimate  of  longitude  that,  like  every  one  else 
from  Ptolemy  down,  he  was  so  vastly  deceived  as  to  the  size  of  the 
globe.  He  was  a  clever  politician,  and  danced  attendance  before  in- 
credulous kings  and  supercilious  courtiers  until  time  whitened  his  locks, 
so  pronounced  were  his  convictions,  and  so  enthusiastic  was  he  in  the 
success  of  his  enterprise,  could  he  but  get  funds  to  put  it  in  execution. 
But  alas  !  he  could  not  convince  one  man  that  it  was  possible  to  sail 
west  and  reach  east.  It  remained  for  him  to  find  in  a  woman's  mind 
the  capacity  to  appreciate  and  the  liberality  to  patronize  him ;  and  at 
last  he  launched  forth  over  unknown  seas,  trusting  to  his  own  stout  heart 
and  a  mariner's  compass,  and,  reaching  an  unknown  land,  planted  the 
chief  milestone  in  the  advance  of  civilization.  He  aimed  for  Zipango, 
and  to  his  dying  day  believed  he  had  found  it,  or  its  outlying  isles,  very 
nearly  where  his  calculations  had  placed  it.  Never  was  man's  mistake 
more  prolific  in  great  results. 

Europe  was  stunned  with  admiration,  and  the  Pope  of  Rome,  who  up 


THE  CABOTS. 


15 


to  that  time  regarded  himself  as  the  legal  proprietor  of  all  the  real  estate 
in  Christendom,  issued  a  bull,1  the  material  parts  of  which  are  still  ex- 
tant, granting  the  new  territory  to  Spain. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  how  all  the  great  plans  and  projects  of  the 
period  tended  and  verged  to  one  point.  There  was  a  Venetian  merchant 
living  in  Bristol,  England,  who  had  paid  particular  attention  to  science, 
and  who  had  long  housed  in  his  heart  a  scheme  of  going  to  Cathay  by 
the  north.  It  was  John  Cabot.  He  was  incited  to  active  effort  by  the 
prospect  of  obtaining  spices  and  other  valuable  articles  of  trade  inde- 
pendent of  haughty  Venice.  His  son  Sebastian,  then  a  promising  youth 
about  nineteen  years  of  age,2  was,  like  his  sire,  stimulated  by  the  fame  of 
Columbus,  and  anxious  to  attempt  some  notable  thing.  He  was  a  scholar, 
had  been  thoroughly  drilled  in  mathematics,  astronomy,  and  the  art  of 
navigation,  and  accompanied  the  elder  Cabot  to  the  Court  of  Henry  VII., 
in  order  to  obtain  the  royal  consent  to  their  proposed  researches.  Henry 
is  well  known  to  have  been  one  of  the  most  penurious  monarchs  who  ever 
sat  upon  a  throne.  He  listened  graciously,  and,  upon  condition  that  the 
whole  enterprise  should  be  conducted  at  their  own  private  expense,  issued 
a  patent  guaranteeing  protection  and  privileges.  But  he  cunningly  re- 
served to  himself  one  fifth  of  the  profits.3 

The  Cabots  first  steered  directly  for  Iceland,  where  they  stopped 
for  a  few  days.  For  some  years  a  steady  and  profitable  commerce 
had  been  carried  on  between  Bristol  and  that  country.  Iceland,  al- 
though the  heroic  age  of  the  Northmen  had  long  since  passed,  was  pretty 
well  peopled,  and  its  inhabitants  had  many  wants  which  their  northern 
land  was  unable  to  supply.  The  English  sold  them  cloth,  corn,  wheat, 
wines,  etc.,  and  took  fish,  chiefly  cod,  in  exchange.  Some  of  the  Norwegian 
authors  say  that  in  April,  1419,  a  heavy  snow-storm  destroyed  more  than 

1  Vattel's  Law  of  Nations,  Book  I.  Chap.  18. 

2  Humboldt,  Kritsche  Untersuchungen,  Vol.  II.  p.  445. 

8  It  is  a  mooted  question  whether  John  Cabot,  the  father,  was  the  leader  of  the  expedition 
in  1497.  Sebastian  Cabot  liyed  for  more  than  sixty  years  afterwards,  and  became  a  cele- 
brated personage  ;  his  fame  so  far  eclipsed  that  of  his  father  as  to  cause  much  to  be  accred- 
ited to  him  that  his  father  actually  performed.  But  his  extreme  youth  and  inexperience 
at  that  time  would  hardly  induce  the  belief  that  the  shrewd  Henry  VII.  would  intrust 
him  with  such  an  important  command.  The  Venetian  ambassador's  letters  of  1497, 
preserved  in  the  Sforza  archives  of  Milan,  furnish  direct  evidence  in  favor  of  the  father. 
(Pasqualiyo's  Letter,  August  23,  1497.)  M.  d'Avezac,>n  able  French  writer,  has  found  what 
he  esteems  sufficient  proof  to  establish  the  fact  that  the  Cabots'  first  voyage  was  made  in 
1494,  when  they  only  saw  land  ;  the  second  in  1497,  when  they  navigated  three  hundred 
leagues  along  the  coast;  the  third  in  1498,  by  Sebastian  alone;  and  the  fourth  in  1517. 
M.  dAmzac  to  Leonard  Woods,  dated  Paris,  December  15,  1868,  in  Doc.  Hist.  Maine; 
by  Willis.  But  the  evidence  of  any  voyage  in  1494  is  so  slight  that  all  allusion  to  it  is 
omitted  in  the  body  of  this  work. 


16 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


twenty-five  English  vessels  on  the  coast  of  Iceland,  which  gives  us  an 
idea  of  how  brisk  their  commerce  must  have  been.    From  this  point  the 
Cabots  proceeded  westward,  toiling  through  mountains  of  ice,  but  confi- 
dent of  final  success.    On  the  24th  of  June  they  saw  land  which 

June  24.  J 

they  supposed  to  be  an  island,  but,  finding  it  ran  a  long  distance 
towards  the  north,  and  getting  short  of  provision  and  into  trouble  with 
their  crew,  they  turned  back  to  England.  Cabot  says  in  his  journal  that 
it  was  a  great  disappointment  to  them.  They  were  absent  from  England 
only  about  three  months,  and  had  discovered  a  continent,  but  its  bleak, 
uninviting  coasts  loomed  up  only  as  a  hateful  barrier  in  .the  way  of  the 
diamond  fields  beyond. 

The  Portuguese  were  at  this  time  the  most  enlightened  nation  of 

1498 

Europe.  They  had  very  materially  enlarged  the  scope  of  geo- 
graphical knowledge  by  daring  voyages  along  the  coast  of  Africa,  under 
the  direction  of  Prince  Henry,  third  son  of  John  the  Great.  Their  vessels 
were  small  but  well-built,  and  their  seamen  dashed  safely  along  tempestu- 
ous shores  and  explored  inlets  and  rivers.  Don  Emanuel  the  Fortunate 
made  prodigious  efforts  to  extend  the  commerce  and  dominion  of  Portugal, 
and  his  pet  problem  was  a  passage  to  India  around  Africa.  The  exploit 
was  actually  performed  in  1498  by  Vasco  da  Gama.  He  returned  to 
Portugal  with  his  four  ships  laden  with  spices,  silks,  and  other  attractive 
merchandise.  All  Europe  was  in  the  wildest  excitement,  and  the  unsuc- 
cessful venture  of  the  Cabots  was  hardly  noticed.  A  papal  bull  granted 
to  Portugal  the  sole  right  to  trade  in  the  Indies,  which  were  treated  as 
new  discoveries.  Alas  for  Venice !  It  was  her  mortal  stab,  and  from 
that  day  her  prosperity  rapidly  waned.  The  Portuguese  established  them- 
selves at  the  East,  made  Cochin  their  capital,  appointed  Vasco  da  Gama 
governor  of  the  colony,  and  for  nearly  a  century  they  supplied  the  markets 
of  Europe  with  the  Indian  produce.  Thus  the  actual  results  of  immedi- 
ate communication  with  the  Oriental  world  completely  overshadowed 
the  possible  advantages  to  be  reaped  from  lands  lying  to  the  west,  which 
were  still  regarded  as  merely  the  unsurmounted  ^obstacle  in  the  path  to 
the  Orient.  The  public  could  not  lje  satisfied  by  tales  of  snow-bound  or 
rocky  shores  without  so  much  as  a  city  or  a  castle  over  which  to  float  a 
banner. 

But  little  by  little  the  natural  wealth  of  these  western  re- 
gions began  to  be  recognized.  At  what  period  the  fisheries  of 
Newfoundland  were  first  known  to  the  hardy  seamen  of  Brittany  and 
Normandy  it  is  impossible  to  determine  with  accuracy ;  it  must  have 
been  as  early  as  the  commencement  of  the  sixteenth  century.  Cod, 
mackerel,  and  herring  were  found  in  abundance,  and  the  demand  for 


AMERICA  AN  INDEPENDENT  HEMISPHERE. 


17 


them,  particularly  in  France,  was  greatly  increased  by  the  fasts  of  the 
church.  During  the  next  few  years  the  Spaniards '  were  busy  following 
up  the  discoveries  of  Columbus  by  expeditions  to  Central  and  South 
America,  and  occupation  of  portions  of  those  countries.  This  led  to  a 
neglect  of  their  native  soil,  and  seriously  and  mischievously  re- 
tarded the  rise  of  Spain  to  a  front  rank  among  powers  ;  but 
it  enlarged  the  boundaries  of  knowledge,  and  hastened  the  good  time 
when  the  earth  should  assume  its  proper  form  in  the  minds  of  men. 
Prior  to  the  year  1522  the  Straits  of  Magellan  had  been  discovered,  the 
broad  Pacific  crossed,  and  the  globe  circumnavigated.  America  stood 
boldly  out  as  an  independent  hemisphere. 

And  yet  the  avaricious  merchantmen  and  navigators  gave  little 

J  1524. 

heed  to  its  possible  resources.  They  scoured  the  oceans  in  every 
latitude,  from  the  Arctic  regions  to  Cape  Horn,  searching  for  a  gateway 
through  it  to  the  jeweled  cities  of  the  East.  The  chivalric  Francis  I.  of 
France  had  in  his  employ,  to  accomplish  certain  deeds  of  daring,  the  Italian 
navigator  Verrazano,  who  in  1524  was  sent  on  a  voyage,  with  the  above 
object  in  view.  He  cruised  along  our  coast  from  the  Carolinas  to  Nova 
Scotia,  landing  many  times,  and  learning  all  that  was  possible,  under  the 
circumstances,  of  the  strange  country  and  its  inhabitants.  He  estimated 
that  America  was  greater  in  territorial  extent  than  Europe  and  Africa 
combined,  but  expressed  his  belief  that  he  could  penetrate  by  some  pas- 
sage to  the  Indian  Ocean.  The  chart1  which  his  brother  drew,  contributed 
towards  creating  the  supposition  in  Europe  that  at  about  the  40th  degree 
of  latitude  such  a  passage  might  be  found.  Verrazano's  letter  to  Francis  I. 
has  recently  been  shadowed  with  historic  doubt,  in  a  volume  of  nearly  two 
hundred  pages,  from  the  facile  pen  of  Hon.  Henry  C.  Murphy ;  but  its  un- 
certain light  is  by  no  means  extinguished.  Neither  is  it  less  interesting 
because  of  the  poverty  of  actual  proof  in  regard  to  its  authenticity.  One 
paragraph  relating  to  the  "  bellissimo  lago  at  the  mouth  of  the  great  river" 
points  significantly  towards  our  own  sylvan  solitudes,  as  follows :  — 

"  After  proceeding  one  hundred  leagues  we  found  a  very  pleasant  situa- 
tion among  some  steep  hills,  through  which  a  large  river,  deep  at  the  mouth, 
forced  its  way  into  the  sea ;  from  the  sea  to  the  estuary  of  the  river  any 
ship  heavily  laden  might  pass  with  the  help  of  the  tide,  which  rises  eight 
feet.  But  as  we  were  riding  at  anchor  in  a  good  berth  we  would  not 
venture  up  in  our  vessel  without  a  knowledge  of  the  mouth,  therefore 
we  took  the  boat,  and  entering  the  river  we  found  the  country  on  the 

1  A  copy  of  this  chart  is  now  in  the  possession  of  the  American  Geographical  Society,  hav- 
ing been  recently  obtained  from  the  College  of  the  Propaganda  Fide  in  Rome  at  the  instance  of 
Chief  Justice  Daly,  and  is  a  geographical  curiosity. 
2 


18 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


banks  well  peopled,  the  inhabitants  not  differing  much  from  the  others, 
being  dressed  out  with  the  feathers  of  birds  of  various  colors.  They  came 
towards  us  with  evident  delight,  raising  loud  shouts  of  admiration,  and 
showing  us  where  we  could  most  securely  land  with  our  boat.  We  passed 
up  this  river  about  half  a  league,  when  we  found  it  formed  a  most  beauti- 
ful lake  upon  which  they  were  rowing  thirty  or  more  of  their  small  boats 
from  one  shore  to  the  other,  filled  with  multitudes  who  came  to  see  us. 
All  of  a  sudden,  as  is  wont  to  happen  to  navigators,  a  violent  contrary 
wind  blew  in  from  the  sea,  and  forced  us  to  return  to  our  ship,  greatly 
regretting  to  leave  this  region,  which  seemed  so  commodious  and  delight- 
ful, and  which  we  supposed  must  also  contain  great  riches,  as  the  hills 
showed  many  indications  of  minerals." 1 

The  letter  was  dated,  "  Ship  Dolphin,  in  the  Port  of  Dieppe,  Nor- 
mandy," was  a  lengthy  document,  and,  besides  furnishing  curious  evidence 
of  the  state  of  nautical  science  at  that  time,  gives  us  a  fair  picture  of  the 
North  American  Indian  as  first  seen  by  white  men.  We  are  induced  to 
believe  that  the  proprietors  of  Manhattan  Island  were  an  amiable  people, 
and  had  made  some  progress  in  the  arts  which  tend  to  ameliorate  the 
savage.  They  were  not  hostile  to  visitors,  and  knew  something  of  agri- 
culture. War  was  evidently  unknown  to  them,  as  we  can  learn  of  no 
defenses  against  hostile  attacks.  They  were,  doubtless,  of  that  tribe  after- 
wards called  Delawares,  or,  as  they  styled  themselves,  Lenni  Lenape, 
which  means  original  or  unmixed  men. 

It  was  an  entirely  different  race  that  Champlain  encountered  in  his 
wanderings  into  the  State  of  New  York,  from  the  north,  in  1G09.  They 
were  fierce  and  cruel  warriors,  somewhat  advanced  in  policy,  arts,  and 
agriculture,  and  had  already  instituted  a  confederacy  of  five  independent 
nations,  with  a  sort  of  congress  of  their  own,  seeming  to  know  somewhat  of 
civilized  life  and  much  of  warlike  achievement,  long  before  they  became 
students  of  the  white  man's  craft.  They  called  themselves  Aquanu 
Schioni,  or  the  United  People.  Iroquois  is  not  an  Indian,  but  a  French 
name,  and  is  a  generic  term,  having  been  bestowed  upon  that  type  of 
language,  the  dialects  of  which  were  spoken  by  the  Five  Nations.  We 
have  strong  reasons  for  suspecting  that  during  the  interim  between 
Verrazano's  visit  and  the  subsequent  Dutch  settlement,  the  martial 
Iroquois  extended  their  conquests  from  the  inland  lakes  to  the  Atlantic 
shores,  leaving  the  deteriorating  effects  of  barbarous  warfare  upon  the  in- 
habitants, as,  at  the  latter  period,  the  river  Indians  and  many  upon  the 

1  Beschryv  van  America,  by  Jan  Buyghen  Van  Linschotten.  (Amsterdam).  N.  Y.  H. 
S.  Cull.,  Vol.  I.  (Second  Series)  pp.  45,  46.  Hakluyt,  III.  360,  361.  Harris's  Voyages,  II. 
348.    North  American  Review  for  October,  1837.    Belknap's  Am.  Biog.,  I.  33. 


ESTEVAN  GOMEZ. 


19 


sea-coast  were  found  subject  to  the  Iroquois,  acknowledging  the  same  by 
the  payment  of  an  annual  tribute. 

Of  the  subsequent  career  of  Verrazano  very  little  is  known.  We 
catch  fugitive  glimpses  of  him  only,  enough  to  excite  but  not  suffi-  ^ 
cient  to  satisfy  curiosity.  There  is  evidence  existing  that  he  com- 
manded an  expedition  to  the  Indies  for  spices,  in  1526,  and  it  is  supposed 
that  he  was  engaged  also  in  piratical  ventures.  He  disappeared  from 
public  view,  after  having  greatly  advanced  the  knowledge  of  the  new 
country  and  given  France  some  claim  to  an  extensive  and  picturesque 
territory.1 


Group  of  gentlemen,  showing  fashions  of  the  day. 


In  1525  Estevan  Gomez,  a  decoyed  Portuguese,  who  had  been  the  chief 
pilot  of  Magellan  on  his  southern  voyage,  presuming  that,  since  a  strait 
to  Cathay  had  been  discovered  in  the  south,  there  must  necessarily  be 
one  at  the  north,  sailed  in  the  interests  of  Spain  to  find  it.  He  is  sup- 
posed to  have  cruised  along  our  coasts  as  far  as  the  Hudson  River,  since  Rio 
de  Gamas  was  the  first  name  of  European  origin  which  it  bore,  and  there 
is  evidence  of  his  having  saded  to  the  shores  of  Maine,  that  land  being 
described  upon  the  Spanish  maps  as  the  Tierra  de  Gomez.2  He,  like 
Verrazano,  drew  a  chart  and  it  was  the  more  valuable  of  the  two,  as  the 
former  was  entirely  unknown  down  to  the  year  1582,  when  it  appeared  in 

1  Charlevoix,  Nov.v.  Fr.,  I.  78  ;  Bancroft,  I.  13.  Awnibale  Caro,  Leltere  Familiari,  Tonio  I. 
let.  12.    Article  by  Hon.  J.  Carson  Brevoort,  in  Journals  Am.  Geog.  Soc.  N.  Y.,  Vol.  IV. 

2  Herrera,  Dec.  III.  lib.  8.  cap.  8.  Navarrete,  I.  e.  p.  179.  Oviedo  (Sonmario),  cap.  10, 
fol.  14.    Peter  Martyr,  Dec.  VIII.  cap.  9. 


20 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


the  Hakluyt  Collection  of  Voyages.  Gomez's  draft  was  embodied  in  the 
planisphere  made  by  Ribero,  now  preserved  in  the  British  Museum.  At  a 
congress  held  at  Badajos  after  Gomez's  return,  at  which  were  present  Se- 
bastian Cabot,  then  pilot-major  of  Spain,  and  all  the  most  distinguished 
geographers  of  both  Spain  and  Portugal,  the  outlines  of  America  were 
fixed  for  the  first  time,  the  chart  of  Gomez  was  adopted  by  the  official 
chart-makers,  and  from  their  works,  with  occasional  amendments,  passed 
into  all  the  charts  and  maps  of  the  sixteenth  century,  and  some  of  the 
seventeenth.  Beyond  the  information  thus  obtained,  Gomez's  voyage 
was  very  meager  in  results.  He  caught  a  few  Indians  to  cany  as  tro- 
phies to  the  Spanish  king,  Charles  I. ;  but  when  he  arrived  at  Corona,  the 
courier  who  was  despatched  by  post  with  the  news,  mistook  slaves  (escla- 
vos)  for  cloves,  which  was  what  Gomez  had  promised  to  bring  home 
with  him  should  he  reach  Cathay,  and  there  was  great  excitement  among 
the  courtiers  and  nobles  until  the  ludicrous  blunder  was  corrected. 
"  Then,"  says  the  quaint  chronicler  of  the  event,  "  there  was  much  laugh- 
ter."1 From  that  time  Spain  had  no  confidence  in  any  northern  enter- 
prise. "  To  the  South  !  to  the  South  '  "  was  the  ciy,  and  all  the  strength 
and  resources  she  could  spare  from  her  home  wars  was  directed  towards 
the  prosecution  of  her  discoveries  and  conquests  in  South  America. 
"  They  that  seek  riches,"  said  Peter  Martyr,  "  must  not  go  to  the  frozen 
North  ! " 

For  the  next  three  fourths  of  a  century  the  wilds  and  wastes  of  North 
America  received  comparatively  little  notice  from  the  European  powers. 
It  was  visited  at  different  points  and  dates  by  fishermen  and  private  ad- 
venturers, and  a  few  flags  were  raised  and  colonies  planted,  but  its  geog- 
raphy, farther  than  its  coast-outline,  remained  almost  wholly  unknown 
During  the  interval  France  was  too  much  occupied  by  her  fruitless  expe- 
ditions into  Italy,  and  her  unequal  contest  with  the  power  and  policy 
of  Charles  I.  of  Spain,  and  also  by  the  civil  wars  with  which  she  was 
desolated  for  nearly  half  a  century,  to  speculate  amidst  her  miseries  upon 
possibilities,  or  lay  plans  for  the  future  extension  of  her  territories  except 
upon  parchment.  England,  too,  through  most  of  that  period,  was  agitated 
and  weakened  by  intestine  broils  or  unwise  interference  in  foreign  af- 
fairs. Her  immense  navy,  which  has  since  enabled  her  to  give  law  to  the 
ocean,  was  then  scarcely  in  embryo  ;2  and  her  commerce. about  the  year 
1550  had  become  so  nearly  extinct  that  bankruptcy  appeared  for  a  time 

1  Oomara,  chap.  40  (lnt  edition,  1552).  History  of  the  West  Indies,  by  Peter  Martyr 
(1680).  Hisloria  tie  las  Indius  Occidental  es,  by  Antonio  dc  Barren  (edition  1601),  Toino 
III.  Dec.  III.  cap.  8. 

1  Robertson's  Historical  Disquisition  on  Ancient  India,  sect.  4,  p.  154. 


ENGLAND  AND  RUSSIA. 


21 


inevitable.  Native  produce  was  in  no  demand,  foreign  importations  had 
ceased,  and  a  singular  monopoly,  consisting  chiefly  of  the  factors  of  ex- 
tensive mercantile  houses  in  Antwerp  and  Hamburg,  had  obtained  con- 
trol of  her  markets,  and,  vampire-like,  was  sucking  her  remnant 
of  strength.  The  statesmen  and  the  merchants  of  the  realm  met 
in  consultation,  and  took  counsel  of  the  aged  and  justly  celebrated  Sebas- 
tian Cabot,  who,  although  he  had  thrice  made  the  attempt  to  reach  Asia 
by  the  north  without  success,  had  never  given  up  his  hobby,  that  "  some 
great  good  lay  in  store  for  the  world  by  the  way  of  the  Polar  Seas."  He 
advised  that  the  northern  coasts  of  Europe  be  explored  for  new  markets, 
and  an  effort  made  to  reach  Cathay  by  a  Siberian  route. 

A  company  was  accordingly  formed,  which  was  called  "  The  Society  for 
the  Discovery  of  Unknown  Lands,"  and  an  expedition  was  fitted  out  in 
1553,  the  expenses  of  which  were  mostly  borne  by  private  subscription.  It 
was  placed  under  the  command  of  Sir  Hugh  Willoughby,  and  the  bold 
Richard  Chancellor  was  made  pilot-major  of  the  fleet.  The  vessels  became 
separated  during  a  storm,  and  Willoughby  with  two  of  them,  after  the  most 
terrific  hardships,  reached  an  obscure  harbor  on  the  desolate  coast  of  Lap- 
land, where  he  and  his  men  finally  perished.  Chancellor,  with  heroic  per- 
sistence, pushed  his  way  through  frozen  waters  where  sunlight  was  perpet- 
ual, and  landed  in  safety  at  Archangel.  Russia  Was  then  scarcely  known 
to  Western  Europe.  Chancellor  made  good  use  of  his  opportunities.  He 
journeyed  by  sledge  to  Moscow,  and  was  invited  to  a  personal  interview 
with  Emperor  Ivan  the  Terrible.  A  lucrative  and  permanent  trade  was 
established  between  the  two  countries,  which  was  the  foundation  of  the 
commercial  and  political  relations  that  have  continued  with  slight  inter- 
ruptions to  the  present  time.  By  it  a  fresh  impulse  was  given  to  produc- 
tive industry  in  England,  and  her  credit  was  improved,  while  intercourse 
with  the  English  secured  to  the  Russians  civilization,  intelligence,  and 
comfort.  When  Chancellor  returned  in  1554  to  England,  he  was  the 
bearer  of  a  letter  from  Ivan  the  Terrible  to  Edward  IV.  The  Muscovy 
Company,  as  it  was  afterwards  styled,  obtained  a  formal  charter  from  the 
Crown,  dated  February  6,  1555,  in  which  Sebastian  Cabot  was  named 
as  its  first  governor.  It  was  granted  a  charter  of  privileges  also  by  the 
Russian  Emperor,  and  commenced  energetic  operations.  The  same  com- 
pany, after  a  brilliant  career  of  more  than  three  hundred  years,  is  still  in 
existence.  For  full  fifty  years  after  its  organization  it  absorbed  the 
energy  and  the  surplus  capital  of  the  English  nation ;  and  nothing  was 
attempted  in  America  save  a  few  unimportant  settlements,  which  came 
to  nothing. 

Meanwhile  the  Dutch  were  preparing  for  a  marvelous  leap  into  public 


22 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


notice.  When,  in  1580,  Philip  II.  united  Portugal  to  Spain,  and  pres- 
ently began  his  war  upon  England,  his  ports  were  closed  against  English 
vessels.  Therefore  England  was  forced  to  buy  her  spices,  silks,  and  other 
Indian  produce  of  the  Dutch.  But  the  revolt  of  the  Netherlands  followed 
in  quick  succession,  and  Dutch  vessels  were  excluded  from  Lisbon,  which 
had  been  so  long  the  European  depot  for  Indian  wares.  Although  the 
Dutch  were  not  a  creative  people,  there  was  no  nation  under  the  sun 
which,  being  strongly  pushed  in  one  direction,  was  more  sure  to  succeed 
than  they.  They  had  begun  already  to  reap  large  profits  from  their  Eng- 
lish trade.  Prices  had  gone  up  on  all  India  goods ;  that  of  pepper  by  two 
hundred  per  cent.  They  were  compelled,  as  it  were,  to  seek  a  direct  pas- 
sage to  the  Orient.  Thus  originated  the  great  commercial  corporation 
known  as  the  Dutch  East  India  Company.  Their  vessels  followed  in 
the  track  of  the  Portuguese  around  Africa.  The  directors  were  mostly 
city  nobles  of  the  old  school,  and  so  prosperous  became  the  company  that 
in  twenty  years  they  divided  more  than  four  times  their  original  capital 
among  the  shareholders,  besides  having  acquired  a  vast  amount  of  prop- 
erty in  colonies,  fortifications,  and  vessels. 


East  India  Company's  House. 


While  struggling  for  freedom  amid  the  smallest  beginnings,  and  at  war 
with  the  nation  the  shadow  of  whose  haughty  flag  waved  over  half 
a  conquered  world,  and  whoso  fashions  and  language  controlled  the  courts 
of  Europe,  the  Dutch  received  the  impetus  which  raised  them  to  the  rank 


THE  DUTCH  WEST  I  XL  I  A  COMPANY. 


23 


of  a  great  power.  More  than  one  hundred  Protestant  families,  the  very 
pith  of  the  nation,  were  driven  from  Belgium  by  the  Spaniards,  and  found 
their  homes  in  Holland  and  Zealand.  The  ruin  of  the  ancient  trade  and 
opulence  of  Belgium  and  the  sudden  expansion  of  the  Dutch  Republic 
were  two  sides  of  the  same  event.  But  the  exiled  Belgians  had  no  inten- 
tion of  remaining  permanently  in  Northern  Netherlands.  They  breathed 
a  new  element  of  commercial  strength  into  the  atmosphere,  and  at  the 
same  time  were  putting  their  shrewd  heads  together  to  devise  some 
method  by  which  Belgium  might  be  delivered  from  the  Spanish  yoke. 
They  well  knew  that  the  wide  possessions  of  Spain  were  open  to  the 
resolute  attacks  of  a  vigorous  foe.  Finally,  they  originated  the  gigantic 
scheme  of  a  warlike  company  of  private  adventurers,  who  should  conquer 
or  ruin  the  Spanish  settlements,  seize  the  Spanish  transports,  and  cut  off 
all  communication  with  her  Transatlantic  dependencies.  And  they  pro- 
posed to  name  it,  very  appropriately,  the  West  India  Company. 

The  obstacles  in  the  way  of  putting  so  vast  a  project  into  execution 
were  very  great.  John  of  Barneveld  was  at  the  head  of  affairs  in  the 
Dutch  Republic,  and  advocated  peace.  He  was  too  practical  a  philoso- 
pher not  to  appreciate  the  enormous  advantages  his  country  had  just 
gained.  The  victorious  return  of  the  Belgians  to  their  native  province 
would  only  remove  commerce  and  political  lead  to  the  south,  and  was  in 
no  case  to  be  desired.  He  was  fully  determined  to  prevent  the  existence 
of  any  such  warlike  corporation  as  the  one  under  consideration.  But  the 
Belgians  found  energetic  allies.  The  lower  classes  in  the  Holland  tow  as 
favored  them  because  that  Barneveld  was  hated  for  his  aristocratic  pro- 
clivities. Influential  men  from  the  other  Dutch  provinces  lent  their  aid 
because  the  Advocate  aimed  at  an  overweening  influence  for  Holland. 
The  House  of  Orange  gave  them  the  hand  of  fellowship  because  this  great 
family  aspired  to  wider  dominion  and  to  a  less  limited  authority  than 
they  had  hitherto  possessed. 

The  leader  of  the"  Belgian  party  was  William  Usselincx,  an  exiled 
Antwerp  merchant  of  noble  descent,  whose  force  of  will  was  simply  mar- 
velous, and  whose  magnetic  influence  over  his  countrymen  was  so  great 
that  they  seemed  to  think  with  his  brain  and  act  with  his  hand.  His 
ready  pen  kept  the  political  life  of  Holland  in  one  continual  ferment. 
He  was  opposed  to  peace  with  Spain  under  any  circumstances.  He  said 
the  quarrel  was  in  its  nature  irreconcilable  and  eternal,  because  it  was 
despotism  sacerdotal  and  regal  arrayed  against  the  spirit  of  rational  hu- 
man liberty.  His  arguments  were  convincing,  and  his  wit  was  as  flash- 
ing and  as  quickly  unsheathed  as  a  sword. 

The  Dutch  revolt  was  in  itself  the  practical  overthrow  of  religious  tyr- 


24 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


anny.  It  was  a  healthy  and,  for  the  age,  an  enlightened  movement. 
But  theological  disputes  arose  upon  the  ruins  of  popular  delusions,  even 
among  the  Protestants  themselves.  Arminius,  from  the  ancient  Univer- 
sity of  Ley  den,  undertook,  the  difficult  task  of  justifying  before  the  tribu- 
nal of  human  reason  the  doctrine  of  the  condemnation  of  sinners  pre- 
destined to  evil.  He  publicly  taught,  also,  that  the  ministers  of  the 
church  ought  to  be  dependent  upon  the  civil  authority.  The  municipali- 
ties caught  at  the  cleverly  thrown  bait,  and  attempted  to  free  themselves 
from  the  pretensions  of  the  established  clergy.  Gomar,  a  celebrated 
scholar  and  a  religious  fanatic,  defended  the  doctrines  of  the  established 
Protestant  church  and  its  principles  of  ecclesiastical  polity.  He  was  an 
intimate  associate  of  Usselincx ;  and  both,  being  courageous,  crafty,  far- 
seeing  men,  were  anxious  to  prolong  a  war  which  woidd  render 
the  absolute  government  of  the  magistrates  impossible,  and  sub- 
mission to  the  Prince  of  Orange  a  political  necessity. 

Thus  two  parties  were  formed  which  lasted  down  to  the  French  Revo- 
lution, and  even  at  the  present  day  there  remains  of  them  nearly  as  much 
as  of  whiggism  and  toryism  in  England.  They  were  divided  in  almost 
every  question  of  public  interest.  The  Belgian  party  were  strict  Calvin- 
ists  and  democrats,  and  their  policy  was  to  carry  on  the  war  with  Spain 
until  Belgium  should  be  freed.  The  Barneveld  party  were  Arminians, 
aristocrats,  republicans,  and  quite  content  to  give  Belgium  over  to  the 
Spaniards. 

The  question  of  the  West  India  Company  was  agitated  for  nearly 
thirty  years.  Its  actual  existence  dates  from  the  year  1606.  That  is, 
commissioners  were  named  from  the  Assembly  at  that  period,  and  discus- 
sions were  frequent  in  regard  to  it.  But  Barneveld,  who  was  at  the  head 
of  the  Assembly,  never  seriously  thought  of  confirming  the  corporation. 
He  only  wished  to  use  it  as  a  threat  for  the  intimidation  of  Spain,  and  it 
was  chiefly  by  this  menace  that  the  twelve  years'  truce  was  accomplished, 
which  played  so  important  a  part  in  the  history  of  the  Netherlands. 

The  wrangling  between  the  two  political  parties  grew  more  fierce  as 
the  details  of  the  peace  negotiations  became  known.  The  river  Scheldt 
was  to  be  closed,  Antwerp  thus  ruined,  Belgium  given  up,  and  all  attacks 
upon  the  Spanish  forbidden.  The  peace  party  maintained  the  principle 
of  excluding  strangers  from  every  employment,  and  of  concentrating  all 
public  offices  in  a  few  patrician  houses  of  the  old  stock.  The  impov- 
erished, but  proud  and  fiery  Belgian  exiles  looked  with  dismay  at 
their  gloomy  prospects  in  the  event  of  the  truce  being  agreed  upon,  and 
put  forth  all  their  energies  towards  the  accomplishment  of  the  West 
India  Company.    Usselincx  wrote  a  series  of  pamphlets,  in  style  simple 


THE  TWELVE  YEARS  TRUCE. 


25 


and  effective,  and  which  belong  to  the  most  remarkable  productions  of  that 
class  of  literature.  They  created  such  a  sensation,  and  attracted  to  such 
a  degree  the  attention  of  contemporary  historians,  that  the  most  distin- 
guished of  them  all,  Emanuel  van  Meteren,  reprinted  one  of  them  entire. 

But  the  pamphlets,  like  the  plan  for  the  West  India  Company,  ^ 
only  served  to  accelerate  the  conclusion  of  the  truce.    The  Ad- 
vocate made  a  singular  use  of  his  adversary's  weapons.     A  cessation 
of  hostilities  for  twelve  years  was  signed  by  the  representatives  of  the 
two  nations  in  1609.    It  was  a  signal  victory  for  the  aristocratic  party. 

But  ten  years  later  the  great  statesman  paid  for  it  with  his  life.  No 
sooner  had  the  Calvinistic  faction  gained  the  ascendency  than  the  West 
India  Company  became  a  fixed  fact.  And  it  was  due  almost  entirely  to 
the  herculean  exertions  of  Usselincx.  It  is  singular  that  a  man  who  has 
earned  so  honorable  a  place  in  history  should  be  so  little  known  to  the 
world.  It  is  true  that  he  never  held  an  official  position,  yet  he  founded 
two  great  commercial  companies,  which  were  so  prolific  in  results  that, 
had  justice  been  properly  meted  out,  his  name  would  have  been  immor- 
talized. He  contributed  more  than  any  power  to  annihilate  Spain.  He 
brought  to  New  York  the  nation  in  which  the  principle  of  free  commu- 
nities —  the  vital  principle  of  American  liberty  — ■  was  carried  out  to  its 
full  extent.  He  made  Sweden  a  maritime  power.  And  by  the  success 
of  his  enterprises,  he  was,  in  1629,  instrumental  in  saving  Holland  from 
the  Spanish  yoke,  —  an  act  so  vast  in  its  consequences  that  for  it  alone 
he  deserves  the  eternal  gratitude  of  all  Germanic  Europe. 

In  the  mean  time,  and  just  about  the  date  of  the  conclusion  of  the 
twelve  years'  truce  with  Spain,  the  East  India  Company  had  unwit- 
tingly discovered  Manhattan  Island,  with  which  account  the  next  chapter 


opens. 


Portrait  of  John  of  Barnevelcl. 


26 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


CHAPTER  II. 


1609  -  1614. 


HENRY  HUDSON. 


Henry  Hudson.  —  His  Voyages.  —  He  discovers  Manhattan  Island.  —  His  Voy- 
age up  the  Hudson  River.  —  His  Visit  to  an  Indian  Chief.  —  His  tragical 
Fate.  —  American  Furs.  —  Settlement  of  Virginia.  —  Voyages  to  Manhattan. 
—  The  Fur  Trade. — Burning  of  the  Tiger. — Building  of  a  Ship  at  Man- 
hattan. —  Description  of  Manhattan  Island.  —  The  Manhattan  Indians.  — 
Customs  and  Dress.  —  Money  and  Politics.  —  Trading  Privileges. 

f\  F  the  personal  history  of  the  illustrious  navigator  Henry  Hudson 


\_J  very  little  is  known.  The  first  view  we  have  of  him  is  in  the 
church  of  St.  Ethelburge,  Bishopsgate  Street,  London,  in  the  summer  of 
1607,  whither  he  had  gone  with  his  crew  to  partake  of  the  sacrament 
before  sailing  under  the  auspices  of  the  Muscovy  Company  in  search  of  a 
passage  to  "  Asia  across  the  North  Pole."  His  whole  life  as  known  to 
the  world  extends  only  over  a  period  of  about  four  years ;  and  there  is 
no  portrait  of  him,  not  even  a  contemporaneous  print  of  doubtful  authen- 
ticity. This  is  the  more  remarkable  as  he  lived  in  an  age  when  it  was 
quite  the  fashion  to  preserve  the  pictures  of  celebrities.1  He  appears  be- 
fore us  a  manly  man  in  middle  life,  well  educated,  courageous,  cool,  an 
expert  in  seamanship,  and  of  wide  experience  in  his  country's  service. 
Who  he  was,  has  been  a  matter  of  much  speculation.  His  father  was 
probably  Christopher  Hudson,  one  of  the  factors  of  the  Muscovy  Com- 
pany, and  their  agent  in  Russia  as  early  as  1560,  a  personage  who  a 
little  later  was  made  governor  of  the  company,  —  an  office  he  retained 
with  honor  until  1601.  The  grandfather  of  the  discoverer  of  New  York 
is  supposed  to  have  been  the  Henry  Hudson  who,  in  1554,  figured  among 
the  founders,  and  was  the  first  assistant,  of  the  Muscovy  Company. 

1  Purchas  His  Pilgrimes  and  Pilgrimage.  Hakluyt  Collection  of  Voyages.  Vol.  I.  N.  Y. 
H.  S.  Coll.  (First  Series).  Henry  Hudson  in  Holland,  by  Hon.  Henry  C.  Murphy.  Henry 
Hudson  the  Navigator,  by  Dr.  Asher,  member  of  the  Hakluyt  Society  of  London.  Histori- 
cal Inquiry  concerning  Henri/  Hudson,  by  General  John  M.  Read,  Jr.  Sailing  Directions  of 
Henry  Hudson,  by  Rev.  B.  F.  de  Costa, 


HENRY  HUD'SON. 


27 


Hudson's  voyage  in  1607  resulted  only  in  his  attaining  a  much 
higher  degree  of  northern  latitude  than  any  of  his  predecessors.  1607, 
The  next  year  he  sailed  north  again,  but  returned  without  hav- 

J  °  1608. 

ing  achieved  any  further  measure  of  success. 

The  news  that  such  voyages  were  in  progress  traveled  in  due  course 
of  time  to  Holland,  and  rendered  the  Dutch  East  India  Company  uneasy 
lest  the  discovery  of  a  short  route  to  India  by  their  industrious  rivals 
should  suddenly  deprive  them  of  a  lucrative  trade.  The  learned  historian, 
Van  Meteren,  was  the  Dutch  minister  at  the  Court  of  St.  James,  and 
through  him  messages  were  transmitted  inviting  Hudson  to  visit  Holland. 

It  was  not  lono-  ere  the  famous  sea-captain  arrived  at  the  Hague, 

1609 

and  was  received  with  much  ceremony.  The  officers  of  the  com- 
pany met,  and  all  that  had  been  discovered  concerning  the  northern  seas 
was  carefidly  discussed.  The  Dutch  had  not  been  behind  their  neighbors 
in  daring  exploits.  Even  while  raising  enormous  sums  of  money  towards 
carrying  on  the  war  with  Spain,  they  had  bent  every  energy  towards  ex- 
tending their  commerce.  Merchant  companies  and  private  adventures  had 
been  encouraged  and  assisted  by  the  government.  A  number  of  expeditions 
had  endeavored  to  reach  "  China  behind  Norway,"  and  trading  monopolies 
had  been  established  in  Guinea  and  at  Archangel ;  in  short,  the  sails  of  the 
nation  whitened  the  waters  of  almost  every  clime.  The  noblemen  who 
directed  the  affairs  of  the  East  India  Company  were  as  cautious  as  they 
were  enterprising.  Some  of  them  had  been  so  influenced  by  the  repre- 
sentations of  the  sorely  disappointed  De  Moucheron,  Barentsen,  Cornelis- 
sen,  Heemskerck,  and  others,  that  thery  declared  it  would  be  a  waste  of 
time  and  money  to  attempt  again  the  navigation  of  the  vast  oceans  of  ice. 
But  Hudson  stood  before  them  full  of  enthusiasm,  and  expressed  his  ardent 
conviction  that  Asia  might  be  reached  by  the  northeast.  Peter  Plantius, 
a  clergyman  of  the  Beformed  Dutch  Church  in  Amsterdam,  who  had  been 
engaged  with  Usselincx  in  trying  to  found  the  "West  India  Company, 
opened  a  correspondence  with  Hudson,  and  sent  him  some  of  his  own 
published  works.  Plantius  had  a  profound  knowledge  of  maritime  affairs, 
the  result  of  unwearied  investigations,  and  he  warmly  seconded  the 
effort  to  search  for  a  northeastern  passage.  He  said  that  the  failure  of 
Heemskerck  in  1596  was  due  to  his  trying  to  go  through  the  Straits  of 
Weygate,  instead  of  keeping  to  the  north  of  the  island  of  Nova  Zembla. 

After  much  delay,  an  expedition  was  finally  planned  and  Hudson 
placed  in  command.  The  Amsterdam  Chamber  defrayed  the  expenses. 
They  furnished  a  yacht,  or  Dutch  galliot, —  an  awkward,  clumsy  kind  of  a 
brig,  with  square  sails  upon  two  masts.  It  was  a  tolerably  safe  craft,  but 
a  slow  sailer,  of  forty  lasts'  or  eighty  tons'  burden,  and  was  called  the 


28 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Half  Moan.  It  was  manned  with  a  crew  of  twenty  men,  partly  English 
and  partly  Dutch  sailors.  Hudson  was  instructed  to  pass  by  the  north 
and  northeast  of  Nova  Zembla,  towards  the  Straits  of  Anian,  and  to 
search  for  no  other  routes  or  passages  but  the  one  in  question.  He 
obeyed  his  employers  to  the  letter,  until  the  cold  grew  so  intense  that  the 
seamen  of  the  East  India  Company,  who  had  been  accustomed  to  warmer 
climates,  became  chilled  and  unfit  for  duty.  Once  or  twice  the  vessel 
escaped  as  by  a  miracle  from  unknown  currents,  then  mountains  of  ice 
encompassed  it,  and  the  crew  were  so  terrified  that  they  arrayed  them- 
selves in  open  rebellion.  Hudson's  only  alternative  was  to  turn  back. 
He  at  once  gave  his  attention  to  searching  for  a  passage  to  Asia  through 
the  American  Continent.    He  was  familiar  with  Verrazano's  charts  ami 


Hudson's  Ship. 


reports,  and  he  was  a  personal  friend  of  Captain  John  Smith,  whose 
adventures  in  America  were*  watched  in  England  with  critical  inter- 
est.  He  had  good  reasons  for  supposing  that  there  was  some  commu- 
nication with  the  South  Sea  at  about  the  fortieth  degree  of  latitude.  He 

accordingly  sailed  southward  as  far  as  Virginia,  then  cruised  along 
Sept  2'  the  shore"  in  a  northerly  direction  until  the  2d  of  September, 
when  he  anchored  in  sight  of  the  beautiful  hills  of  Neversink,  which 
hold  the  post  of  honor  near  the  portals  to  our  island.    The  next  day  he 

ventured  a  little  farther  into  the  lower  bay,  and  found  what  he 
8ept-3-  supposed  to  be  three  great  rivers,  one  of  which  he  tried  to  enter, 
but  was  prevented  by  "  the  very  shoal  bar  before  it." 

On  the  morning  of  September  4th  he  sent  out  a  small  boat  to 
8ept4'   explore  and  sound  the  water,  and  a  good  harbor  was  found  where 


HUDSON  DISCOVERS  MANHATTAN  ISLAND. 


29 


the  sea  "  was  four  and  five  fathoms,  two  cables'  length  from  shore."  A 
great  many  fine  fish  were  also  discovered.  Indians  were  seen  along  the 
shores,  and  towards  evening  they  came  prospecting  around  the  Half  Moon 
in  small  canoes.  They  were  dressed  in  skins,  wore  feathers  in  their  hair, 
and  were  adorned  with  clumsy  copper  ornaments.  They  brought  with 
them  green  tobacco,  and  offered  it  as  a  peace-offering.  They  were  so 
civil  that  a  party  of  the  sailors  landed  among  them  the  next  day, 
and  were  very  well  and  deferentially  treated.  In  addition  to 
tobacco,  they  seemed  to  have  a  great  abundance  of  maize,  or  Indian 
corn,  dried  currants,  and  hemp. 

On  the  6th,  John  Coleman,  an  Englishman,  who  had  been  with 
Hudson  on  his  previous  polar  voyages,  was  sent  with  four  seamen 
to  sound  the  Narrows.    They  passed  through  Kill  von  Kull  to  Newark 
Bay.    The  sweetness  of  the  inner  land,  and  the  crisp  saltness  of  the 
distant  sea,  were  mixed  in  one  delicious  breeze,  and  they  reported  the 
country  "  as  pleasant  with  grass  and  flowers  as  any  they  had  ever  seen." 
While  returning  to  the  Half  Moon  late  in  the  afternoon,  they  were  at- 
tacked by  some  Indians  in  canoes,  and  John  Coleman  was  killed  by  one  of 
their  arrows.   The  Indians  doubtless  fired  at  random,  as  there  is  no  evidence 
that  hostilities  were  continued,  or  any  attempt  made  to  capture  the  boat, 
which  in  the  confusion  might  have  been  done  with  the  greatest  ease. 
Night  came  on,  and  the  frightened  sailors  lost  their  light  and  their  way, 
and  were  tossed  about  on  the  troubled  sea  until  ten  o'clock  the 
next  morning,  when,  with  the  remains  of  their  murdered  officer, 
they  were  at  last  received  upon  the  Half  Moon.    Coleman  was  buried 
upon  a  point  of  land  near  by,  which  was  called  Coleman's  Point. 

For  some  days  afterward  Hudson  spent  his  time  in  examining  the 
shores,  sounding  the  waters,  and  bartering  with  the  Indians.  The  latter 
were  closely  watched,  but  manifested  no  knowledge  of  the  fatal  affray  by 
which  John  Coleman  had  lost  his  life.  On  the  11th  the  Half 
Moon  was  cautiously  guided  through  the  Narrows,  and  anchored  Sept  U" 
in  full  view  of  Manhattan  Island.  How  little  Hudson  dreamed  that  it 
would  one  day  become  the  home  of  Europe's  overflowing  population ! 
His  mind  was  occupied  with  visions  of  a  different  character.  He  was 
encouraged  to  believe  that  he  had  at  last  found  the  passage  to  Cathay; 
for  the  river  stretching  off  to  the  north  was  of  such  gigantic  proportions 
as  to  dwarf  almost  to  insignificance  the  comparative  streamlets  of  the 
eastern  continent !  He  determined  to  proceed  at  all  hazards  ;  but  the 
wind  was  ahead,  and  lie  could  move  only  with  the  flood  tide,  hence 

Sept.  14. 

it  was  not  until  the  14th  that  he  commenced  the  ascent  of  the 
river  in  earnesl. 


30 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


If  Hudson  had  been  a  trained  detective  he  could  not  have  been  sharper- 
eyed  in  his  observations  of  the  country  along  his  route  than  his  circum- 
stantial journal  indicates.    The  Indians  hovered  about  his  vessel,  anxious 
to  trade  their  produce  for  the  buttons,  ornaments,  and  trinkets  of 

Sept.  17.  .  c 

the  sadors.  On  the  17th  he  anchored  at  a  point  just  above  the 
present  city  of  Hudson,  and  the  next  day  accompanied  an  old  Indian 
chief  to  his  home  on  the  shore.  It  was  a  circular  wigwam,  and  upon  the 
Englishman's  entrance,  mats  were  spread  upon  the  ground  to  sit  upon, 
and  eatables  were  passed  round  in  a  well-made  reel  wooden  bowl.  Two 
Indians  were  sent  in  quest  of  game,  and  returned  with  pigeons.  A  fat 
dog  was  also  killed,  and  skinned  with  sharp  shells.  Hudson  was  served 
to  a  sumptuous  repast,  but  he  declined  an  invitation  to  spend  the  night 
with  his  royal  host,  and  the  Indians,  supposing  it  was  because  he  was 
afraid  of  their  bows  and  arrows,  broke  them  in  pieces  and  threw  them  in 
the  fire. 

They  proceeded  on  their  way  up  the  river  for  a  few  days,  but 

Sept.  23.  B  _ 

at  last  navigation  became  obstructed,  and  a  boat  was  sent  eight 
or  nine  leagues  in  advance  to  measure  the  water.  "Seven  foot  and 
unconstant  soundings "  deterred  the  bold  mariner  from  proceeding  far- 
ther. He  had  gone  as  far  as  he  coidd.  ami  Asia  was  not  yet.  There 
are  conflicting  opinions  as  to  the  precise  point  reached  by  the  Half  Moon, 
but  it  is  generally  supposed  that  it  attained  about  the  latitude  of  Castle 
Island,  just  below  Albany. 

The  "lowing  description  which  Hudson  gave  of  the  country  and  its  re- 
sources was  incorporated  in  an  elaborate  work  by  the  Dutch  historian 
De  Laet,  one  of  the  directors  of  the  West  India  Company  some  years 
later.  Hudson  wrote  "that  the  land  was  of  the  finest  kind  for  tillage, 
and  as  beautiful  as  the  foot  of  man  ever  trod  upon."  He  made  himself, 
it  seems,  very  agreeable  to  the  natives.  On  one  occasion  he  persuaded 
two  old  Indians  and  their  squaws,  and  two  maidens  of  sixteen  and  seven- 
teen years,  to  dine  with  him  in  the  cabin  of  his  vessel,  and  said  that 
"  they  deported  themselves  with  great  circumspection."  At  another  time 
he  treated  some  of  the  sachems  to  wine  until  they  were  merry,  and  one 
of  them  was  so  very  drunk  that  he  could  not  leave  the  Half  Moon  until 
the  next  day.1 

Hudson  commenced  his  return  on  the  23d,  and,  eleven  days  afterwards, 
•"  went  out  of  the  nfouth  of  the  great  river,"  and  sailed  for  Europe.  On 
the  7th  of  November  he  arrived  safely  at  Dartmouth,  England,  where  he 
was  detained  by  the  English  authorities,  who  denied  his  right  to  enter 

1  At  this  very  moment  the  eminent  French  navigator,  Champlain,  was  upon  the  waters  of 
the  lake  which  hears  his  name,  and  within  one  hundred  miles  of  Hudson. 


HUDSON'S  DEATH. 


31 


into  the  service  of  a  foreign  power.  He  forwarded  a  report  of  his  adven- 
tures to  the  Dutch  East  India  Company,  with  a  proposal  to  change  six  or 
seven  of  his  crew  and  allow  him  to  try  the  frozen  seas  again.  His  com- 
munication did  not  reach  Holland  for  several  months,  and  his  employers 
were  ignorant  of  his  arrival  in  England.  When  they  were  at  last  ap- 
prised of  the  fact,  they  sent  a  peremptory  order  for  him  to  return  with 
the  Half  Moon.  He  would  have  obeyed,  but  the  arm  of  the  English  law 
withheld  him.    The  vessel,  however,  was  sent  with  its  cargo  to  Holland. 

The  Muscovy  Company  made  immediate  arrangements  to  avail  them- 
selves of  Hudson's  valuable  services,  and  fitted  out  another  expedition  to 
the  north  seas.  The  expenses  were  defrayed  by  private  English  gentle- 
men, one  of  whom  was  Sir  Dudley  Diggs.  Hudson  sailed  towards  the 
northeast  again  until  the  ice  obstructed  his  progress,  then  proceeded 
westward,  and  after  many  trials  and  hardships  discovered  the  bay  and 
strait  which  have  immortalized  his  name ;  but  his  superstitious  crew 
greatly  magnified  the  dangers  by  which  they  were  surrounded,  and  at 
last  arose  in  open  mutiny.  They  placed  their  heroic  commander  in  a 
small  boat,  to  drift  helplessly  over  the  dreary  waste  of  frozen  waters, 
which  are,  alas !  his  tomb  and  his  monument.  To  fully  appreciate  the 
character  of  such  a  man  as  Henry  Hudson,  we  must  never  lose  sight  of 
the  fact  that  the  real  hazards  of  those  early  voyages  were  exceedingly 
great,  and  the  imaginary  perils  infinite.  Even  now,  after  the  lapse  of 
nearly  three  centuries,  we  cannot  dwell  upon  his  tragic  fate  without 
mourning  that  such  a  life  could  not  have  been  spared  to  the  world  a 
little  longer,  and  that  he  who  accomplished  so  much  for  posterity  should 
have  had  so  slight  a  comprehension  of  the  magnitude  of  his  labors  and 
discoveries. 

The  aristocratic  Dutch  East  India  Company  regarded  all  Hudson's 
reports  with  indifference.  They  had  a  great  aversion  to  America,  and 
ignored  it  altogether.  They  had  been  coining  wealth  too  long  and  too 
easily  from  the  immense  profits  on  their  India  goods  to  be  interested  in 
anything  short  of  the  Orient.  They  actually  sent  again  two  vessels 
to  the  North  in  1  Gil,  to  explore  among  the  icebergs  for  a  direct  route 
to  Asia,  hoping  to  soften  the  edge  of  former  disappointments. 

But  there  were  traders  in  the  Netherlands  whose  eyes  were  opened  to  a 
hidden  mine  of  wealth  through  the  skins  with  which  the  returned  Half 
Moon  had  been  laden.  Furs  were  much  worn  in  the  cold  countries  of 
Europe,  and  the  Dutch  reveled  in  the  costly  extravagance.  These  furs 
were  obtained  mostly  through  the  Russian  trade.  From  sixty  to  eighty- 
Holland  vessels  visited  Archangel  every  year,  agents  were  stationed 
at  Novogorod  and  other  inland  towns,  and  a  brisk  traffic  was  kept 


32 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


up  with  ancient  Muscovy.  The  wise  Eussian  Emperor  had  courted  this 
prosperous  commerce,  but  had  laid  a  duty  of  five  per  cent  on  all  imported 
goods,  and  allowed  an  equivalent  amount  to  be  exported  duty  free. 
Whoever  exported  more  than  he  imported  paid  a  duty  of  five  per  cent  on 
the  difference.1 

If  the  same  and  similar  goods  could  be  obtained  in  the  New  World  in 
exchange  for  the  veriest  bawbles,  and  command  a  remunerative  market  at 
home,  it  was  a  golden  opportunity.  At  all  events,  it  w  as  worth  an  inves- 
tigation. A  partnership  was  organized,  and  a  vessel  fitted  out  and 
laden  with  small  wares.  A  portion  of  the  crew  of  the  Half  Moon  2  were 
secured,  and  the  ship  was  placed  under  the  command  of  an  experienced 
officer  of  the  East  India  Company.  Hudson  River  was  again  visited,  and 
a  cargo  of  skins  brought  back  to  Holland.  The  account  of  the  voyage 
was  published,  and  the  friendly  disposition  of  the  Indians  much  descanted 
upon. 

It  was  at  a  period  when  the  press  everywhere  was  teeming  with  pam- 
phlets of  travel  and  descriptions  of  the  earth  as  far  as  known.  Geogra- 
phy was  becoming  with  some  few  a  life-study,  and  every  added  grain 
of  knowledge  was  seized  with  avidity. 

England  had  already  begun  to  think  seriously  of  planting  colonies  in  the 
New  World.  The  timid  -lames  I.,  perplexed  to  know  how  to  provide  for 
the  great  numbers  of  gallant  men  of  rank  and  spirit  who  had  served 
under  Queen  Elizabeth  both  by  sea  and  by  land,  and  who  w  ere  out  of 
employment,  had  permitted  a  company  to  be  formed  in  London  for  the 
purpose  of  settling  Virginia,  and  in  1606  granted  it  a  patent  which  em- 
braced the  entire  Atlantic  coast  from  Cape  Fear  to  Nova  Scotia,  ex- 
cepting Acadia,  then  in  actual  possession  of  the  French.  Many  of  the 
impoverished  noblemen  immediately  embarked  for  their  new  home,  and 
had  been  tilling  the  fertile  soil  of  Virginia  for  three  years  prior  to  the 
discovery  of  Manhattan  Island.  These  general  facts  were  well  known  in 
Holland,  and  the  States-General  in  1611,  through  Caron,  their  ambassa- 
dor at  London,  made  overtures  to  the  British  government  to  join 

i. 

them  in  their  Virginian  Colony,  and  also  to  unite  the  East  India 
trade  of  the  two  countries.  But  the  statesmen  of  England  were  unfavor- 
ably inclined  towards  either  project  Their  reply  was,  "  If  we  join  upon 
equal  terms,  the  art  and  industry  of  your  people  will  wear  out  ours."  8 

1  Rich esse  de  la  Holla vdc,  I.  51.    Muilkcrk.    McCullagh's  Industrial  History. 

2  HtckeweldtT,  New  York  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.     Vales  and  Moulton. 

8  JFivwood's  Memorial,  III.  239.  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  John  Moore  to  Sir  Fnincis 
Winwood,  the  Knglish  ambassador  at  the  Hague,  dated  London,  December  15,  1010. 
Corps  Dip.,  V.  99-102.    Orolius,  XVIII.  812.     Van  Meltren. 


TRADERS  AT  MANHATTAN. 


33 


During  the  summer  of  1611,  Captain  Hendrick  Christiaensen,  while 
returning  from  a  voyage  to  the  West  Indies,  where  many  Dutch  vessels 
obtained  salt  every  year,  necessary  for  curing  herrings,  found  himself  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  "  great  river,"  the  Hudson  (which  the  Belgian  Dutch 
called  "  Mauritius,"  in  honor  of  the  Prince  of  Orange),  and  but  that  his 
ship  was  heavily  laden  would  have  ventured  in.  As  soon  as  he  arrived 
in  Holland  he  entered  into  a  partnership  with  Adriaen  Block ;  they 
chartered  a  small  vessel,  took  goods  on  commission,  and  sailed  for  Man- 
hattan. The  Indians  were  glad  to  see  them,  and  they  had  no  difficulty 
in  freighting  their  craft  with  skins.  They  also  persuaded  two  young  In- 
dian chiefs,  Orson  and  Valentine,  to  accompany  them  to  Holland. 

Block  wrote  a  long  and  graphic  account  of  his  voyage,  which  was  pub- 
lished and  circulated  in  all  the  Dutch  cities.  Its  object  was  to  awaken 
public  interest  in  the  American  fur-traffic.  The  two  Indians  were  taken 
from  place  to  place  to  create  a  sensation,  and  with  pretty  good  success. 
Erelong  three  wealthy  merchants,  Hans  Hongers,  Paulus  Pelgiom,  and 
Lambrecht  Van  Tweenhuysen,  formed  a  partnership  and  equipped  two 
vessels  for  Manhattan.  They  were  the  Fortune  and  the  Tiger,  and  were 
intrusted  to  the  command  of  Christiaensen  and  Block.  Presently  some 
gentlemen  in  North  Holland  sent  two  vessels  to  trade  at  Manhattan. 
One  of  them,  the  Little  Fox,  was  commanded  by  Captain  John  de  Witt, 
an  uncle  of  the  celebrated  Dutch  statesman  who  was  grand  pensionary  of 
the  Netherlands  in  1G52.  The  other  was  the  Nightingale,  and  was  in 
charge  of  Captain  Thys  Volckertsen.  Within  three  months  the  owners 
of  the  Fortune  and  the  Tiger  sent  out  a  third  vessel,  commanded  by  Cap- 
tain Cornelis  Jacobsen  May,  who  ten  years  later  was  made  Director-Gen- 
eral of  New  Netherland.  Their  success  was  flattering,  for  the  Indians  were 
captivated  by  the  trinkets  which  were  offered  in  exchange  for  skins. 

It  is  worth  noting  that  from  the  very  first  the  admirable  commer- 
cial position  of  Manhattan  Island  indicated  it,  as  if  by  common 
consent,  as  the  proper  place  where  furs  collected  in  the  interior 
could  be  most  readily  shipped  for  Europe.  Christiaensen,  having  won  the 
confidence  of  his  employers,  became  a  legally  appointed  agent,  and  by 
means  of  trading-boats  visited  every  creek,  bay,  river,  and  inlet  in  the 
neighborhood  where  an  Indian  settlement  was  to  be  found.  He  often 
took,  also,  long  journeys  into  the  country  on  foot,  and  was  everywhere 
treated  by  the  savages  with  kindness  and  consideration. 

One  clear  cold  night  in  November  the  Tiger  took  fire  at  its  anchorage, 
just  off  the  southern  point  of  Manhattan  Island,  and  Block  and  his  crew 
escaped  with  much  difficulty  to  the  shore.    The  vessel  burned  to  the 
water's  edge,  and  as  the  other  ships  had  all  sailed  for  Holland  there  was 
3 


34 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


no  possible  hope  of  any  assistance  from  white  men  befoTe  spring.  Block 
accepted  the  situation  like  a  true  philosopher,  and  erected  four  small 
habitations  on  the  island  at  about  the  present  site  of  39  Broadway.  Of 
their  architecture  we  have  no  means  of  information,  but  they  were  doubt- 
less of  the  wigwam  family.  The  Indians  were  hospitably  inclined,  bring- 
ing food  out  of  their  abundance,  and  the  sailors  were  enabled  to  exist  with 
comparative  comfort  until  spring.  Block  was  a  plain  man,  of  no  incon- 
siderable tact  and  capacity.  He  had  been  bred  to  the  law,  but  had  de- 
serted his  profession  to  study  the  science  of  navigation.  He  must  have 
had  a  versatile  genius,  for  he  set  himself  at  work  with  great  energy  to 
construct  a  new  vessel  upon  the  chaired  remains  of  the  Tiger} 


Burning  of  the  Tiger. 


It  was  an  arduous  undertaking  with  the  slender  materials  at  command. 
Indeed,  it  requires  considerable  stretch  of  the  imagination,  in  this  age  of 
mechanical  luxury,  to  understand  how  such  a  feat  could  have  been  ac  - 
complished at  all.    But  it  is  one  of  the  facts  of  history,  and  early 
1614'  in  the  spring  of  1614  the  justly  famous  yacht  of  10  tons'  burden 
was  found  seaworthy,  and  launched  in  the  waters  of  the  Upper  Bay. 
It  was  significantly  called  the  Restless.    Block  set  forth  in  it  to  explore 

1  PlaiUagenet's  New  Albion.  Brodhead,  48,  note.  Breeden  Raedt  am  de  Vereeinghdc 
Nederlandsclic  Pruvintien  contains  n  statement  made  by  the  Indians,  that  "when  the 
Dutch  lost  a  ship  we  provided  the  white  men  with  food  until  the  new  ship  was  finished." 
De  Last  says:  "To  carry  on  trade  with  the  Indians  our  people  remained  all  winter."  De 
Vries  re|>eats  the  .same.  A  record  of  the  boning  of  the  Tiger  exists  in  the  Koyal  Archives 
at  the  Hague  under  date  of  August  18,  1(514. 


DESCRIPTION  OF  MANHATTAN  ISLAND. 


35 


the  tidal  channels  to  the  east,  where  no  large  ships  had  yet  ventured.  He 
passed  the  numerous  islands,  and  the  dangerous  strait  called  Hell  Gate,  and 
to  his  amazement  found  himself  in  a  "  beautiful  inland  sea,"  which  ex- 
tended eastward  to  the  Atlantic.  He  was  the  first  European  navigator,  as 
far  as  we  have  any  precise  knowledge,  who  ever  furrowed  the  waters  of 
Long  Island  Sound. 

About  the  same  date,  Captain  May  again  reached  the  American  shores 
and,  hovering  along  the  eastern  and  southern  boundaries  of  Long  Island, 
proved  that  it  was  indeed  an  island.  Finding  his  business  soon  transacted 
at  Manhattan,  he  visited  Delaware  Bay,  and  bestowed  his  name  upon 
its  northern  cape.  Block,  meanwhile,  interested  himself  in  the  peculiari- 
ties of  the  southern  coast  of  Connecticut,  and  sailed  up  the  great  Fresh 
River  as  far  as  where  the  city  of  Hartford  now  stands.1  He  then  pro- 
ceeded to  Cape  Cod,  where  he  unexpectedly  met  Christiaensen.  After 
some  discussion  they  finally  exchanged  vessels,  and  Block  sailed  for  Hol- 
land in  the  larger  and  safer  craft  of  his  comrade,  while  Christiaensen  con- 
tinued to  make  explorations  along  the  coast  in  the  Restless. 

Thus  was  Manhattan  Island  again  left  in  primeval  solitude,  waiting  till 
commerce  should  come  and  claim  its  own.  To  the  right,  the  majestic 
North  River,  a  mile  wide,  unbroken  by  an  island  ;  to  the  left,  the  deep 
East  River,  a  third  of  a  mile  wide,  with  a  chain  of  slender  islands  abreast ; 
ahead,  a  beautiful  bay  fifteen  miles  in  circumference,  at  the  foot  of  which 
the  waters  were  cramped  into  a  narrow  strait  with  bold  steeps  on  either 
side  ;  and  astern,  a  small  channel  dividing  the  island  from  the  mainland 
to  the  north,  and  connecting  the  two  salt  rivers.  Nature  wore  a  hardy 
countenance,  as  wild  and  untamed  as  the  savage  landholders.  Manhattan's 
twenty-two  thousand  acres  of  rock,  lake,  and  rolling  table-land,  rising  in 
places  to  an  altitude  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  feet,  were  covered 
with  somber  forests,  grassy  knolls,  and  dismal  swamps.  The  trees  were 
lofty  ;  and  old,  decayed,  and  withered  limbs  contrasted  with  the  younger 
growth  of  branches,  and  wild-flowers  wasted  their  sweetness  among  the 
dead  leaves  and  uncut  herbage  at  their  roots.  The  wanton  grape-vine 
swung  carelessly  from  the  topmost  boughs  of  the  oak  and  the  sycamore, 
and  blackberry  and  raspberry  bushes,  like  a  picket-guard,  presented  a  bold 
front  in  all  the  possible  avenues  of  approach.  Strawberries  struggled  for  a 
feeble  existence  in  various  places,  sometimes  under  foliage  through  which 
no  sunshine  could  penetrate,  and  wild  rose-bushes  and  wild  currant-bushes 
hobnobbed,  and  were  often  found  clinging  to  frail  footholds  among  the 
ledges  and  cliff*,  wliile  apple-trees  pitifully  beckoned  with  their  dwarfed 
fruit,  as  if  to  be  relieved  from  too  intimate  an  association  with  the  giant 

1  De  Laet.    Mass.  Hist.  Cull.,  XV.  170.    Brodltead,  I.  57. 


36 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


progeny  of  the  crowded  groves.  The  entire  surface  of  the  island  was  bold 
and  granitic,  and  in  profile  resembled  the  cartilaginous  back  of  a  sturgeon. 
Where  the  Tombs  prison  now  casts  its  grim  shadow  in  Center  Street,  was 
a  fresh-water  lake,  supplied  by  springs  from  the  high  grounds  about  it, 
so  deep  that  the  largest  ships  might  Lave  floated  upon  its  surface,  and 
pure  as  the  Croton  which  now  flows  through  the  reservoirs  of  the  city. 
It  had  two  outlets,  —  small  streams,  one  emptying  into  the  North,  the 
other  into  the  East  River. 

It  was  not  an  interesting  people  whom  the  Dutch  found  in  possession 
of  Manhattan  Island  They  have  ever  been  surrounded  with  darkness 
and  dullness,  and  we  can  promise  very  little  entertainment  while  we  call 
them  up  before  us,  with  all  their  peculiarities  of  life,  language,  and  garb, 
and  with  a  few  touches  sketch  them  as  a  whole.  They  were  tall,  well  made, 
broad  of  shoulder  and  slender  in  the  waist,  with  large  round  faces,  mild 
black  eyes,  and  a  cinnamon  complexion.  The  distinguished  scholar,  Dr. 
O'Callaghan,  says :  "  It  was  first  supposed  that  this  color  was  the  effect 
of  climate,  but  it  has  since  been  discovered  to  have  been  produced  by  the 
habitual  use  of  unctuous  substances,  in  which  the  juice  of  some  rool  w  as 
incorporated,  and  by  which  this  peculiar  tinge  was  communicated  to  the 
skin  of  the  North  American  Indian."  They  lived  in  huls  which  were 
built  by  placing  two  rows  of  upright  saplings  opposite  each  other,  with 
their  tops  brought  together  and  covered  with  boughs.  These  dwellings 
were  skillfully  lined  with  bark  to  keep  out  the  cold.  They  w  ere  often 
large  enough  to  accommodate  several  families  ;  but  it  must  be  remembered 
that  each  Indian  only  required  space  enough  to  lie  down  straight  at 
night,  and  a  place  to  keep  a  kettle  and  one  or  two  other  housekeeping 
articles.  Windows  and  floors  were  unknown ;  fires  were  built  on  the 
ground  in  the  center,  and  the  smoke  escaped  through  a  small  aperture  in 
the  roof. 

The  Indians  never  located  permanently,  but  moved  about  from  one 
place  to  another,  selecting  such  points  as  were  naturally  clear  of  wood. 
The  men  understood  the  use  of  the  bow  and  arrow,  and  spent  much  of 
their  time  in  hunting  and  fishing.  They  made  fish-lines  of  grass  or 
sinews,  with  bones  or  thorns  for  hooks.  Wigwas  was  a  process  of  fishing 
after  dark,  similar  to  that  termed  bobbing  at  the  present  day.  They 
gathered  shell-fish  and  oysters  in  great  abundance,  so  that,  wherever  the 
land  has  been  found  covered  with  the  dibria  of  shells,  it  has  been  regarded 
as  a  certain  indication  that  an  Indian  village  once  existed  there.  The 
Dutch  found  one  such  locality  on  the  west  side  of  Fresh-Water  Pond, 
which  they  named  Kalch-Hook,  or  Shell-Point.  In  course  of  time  this 
name  was  abbreviated  into  Kalch  or  Collech,  and  was  applied  to  the 
pond  itselC 


CUSTOMS  AND  DRESS. 


37 


The  women,  as  usual  among  uncivilized  nations,  performed  most  of  the 
field-work.  The  savages  raised  large  quantities  of  corn  and  patches  of 
tobacco,  and  even  pumpkins  were  cultivated  in  a  rude,  primitive  way. 
They  used  sharpened  shells  for  knives,  and  with  them  cut  down  trees  and 
constructed  canoes.  Although  they  had  no  tables  nor  ceremonies  of  eating, 
they  were  by  no  means  indifferent  to  the  quality  of  their  food.  It  is 
even  reported  by  some  of  the  Dutch  pioneers  in  the  wilderness  that  much 
of  their  cookery  was  very  palatable.  Yockey  was  a  mush  made  of  pounded 
com  and  the  juice  of  wild  apples.  Swgpaen  was  corn  beaten  and  boded 
in  water.  Succotash  was  corn  and  beans  boiled  together.  Corn  was 
often  roasted  upon  the  ear.  Fish  and  meat  were  boiled  in  water,  un- 
dressed, entrails  and  all ;  dog's  flesh  was  one  of  their  greatest  debcacies. 
Hickory-nuts  and  walnuts  they  pounded  to  a  fine  pulp,  and,  mixing  it 
with  water,  made  a  popular  drink.  Supplies  for  winter  they  lodged  under- 
ground in  holes  lined  with  bark.  But,  like  the  South  American  Indians, 
they  had  no  letters,  and  had  never  broken  in  a  single  animal  to  labor. 
They  conveyed  their  ideas  by  hieroglyphics,  like  the  ancient  Egyptians, 
and  were  extremely  superstitious. 

Of  dress  both  sexes  were  extravagantly  fond.  The  mantle  of  skins 
worn  by  the  men  'was  often  elaborately  trimmed.  The  hair  was  tied  on 
the  crown  of  the  head,  and  adorned  with  gay-colored  feathers.  The  hair 
of  the  women  was  dressed  very  much  like  Guido's  picture  of  "  Venus 
adorned  by  the  Graces."  It  was  sometimes  braided,  and  sometimes  flow- 
ing loose  down  the  back  with  the  appearance  of  having  been  crimped. 
The  same  style  may  now  be  seen  in  some  recent  paintings  made  by  artists 
who  have  visited  the  Southwestern  Indians,  and  it  is  not  unusual  in 
the  pictures  of  the  old  masters  and  in  the  busts  of  the  Grecian  sculptures. 
A  highly  ornamented  petticoat,  made  of  whale-fins  and  suspended  from  a 
belt  or  waist  girdle,  was  very  costly.  Its  value  is  said  to  have  been  equal 
to  eighty  dollars  of  our  currency.  Chains  of  curious  workmanship,  some- 
times only  a  collection  of  stones,  were  much  worn  upon  the  necks  of  both 
men  and  women,  and  wrought  copper  was  suspended  from  their  ears  in  a 
very  Oriental  manner. 

Gold  was  regarded  by  them  with  contempt  on  account  of  its  color, 
lied  and  azure  were  their  favorite  hues.  Wampum  was  their  money, 
while  at  the  same  time  it  was  used  as  an  ornament  for  their  persons. 
It  consisted  of  small  cylindrical  beads  manufactured  from  the  white  lining 
of  the  conch  and  the  purple  lining  of  the  mussel  shells.  The  purple 
beads  were  worth  just  twice  as  much  as  white  beads.  From  a  circulating 
medium  among  the  Indians,  it  became  the  recognized  currency  of  the 
early  white  settlers,  and  the  Dutch  called  it  scwan.    In  like  manner,  a 


38 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


species  of  shells  are  used  at  the  present  day  as  money  in  the  interior  of 
Africa. 

Public  affairs  were  managed  by  a  council  of  the  wisest,  most  experi- 
enced, and  bravest  of  their  number,  called  sachems.  They  had  no  salary 
nor  fees,  to  make  office  an  object  of  ambition.  Authority  was  secured  by 
personal  courage  and  address,  and  lost  by  failure  in  either  of  those  quali- 
ties. Law  and  justice,  in  our  acceptation  of  the  terms,  were  unknown  to 
them.  When  a  murder  was  committed,  the  next  of  kin  was  the  avenger. 
For  minor  offences  there  was  rarely  ever  any  punishment.  Prisoners  of 
war  were  considered  to  have  forfeited  all  their  rights  of  manhood,  and 
towards  them  no  pity  or  mercy  was  shown.  With  excessive  thirst  for  ex- 
citement and  display,  war  became  their  common  lot  and  condition.  The 
whole  tendency  of  their  lives  and  habits  was  to  that  point,  and  to  be  a 
great  warrior  was  the  highest  possible  distinction.  They  had  crude  and 
confused  opinions  respecting  the  creation  of  the  world  and  a  future  exist- 
ence, and  held  vague  ideas  of  a  discrimination  between  the  body  and  soul, 
but  to  all  systems  of  religion  they  were  entire  strangers.  Such  was  the 
race  which  gave  way  to  modern  civilization. 

On  Block's  return  to  Holland,1  with  the  Fortune  (Christiaen- 
Sept  1  sen's  vessel,  which  he  had  exchanged  for  the  Restless),  his  patrons 
received  him  with  enthusiasm,  and  made  immediate  preparations  to  avail 
themselves  of  a  new  feature  of  governmental  favor  towards  enterprising 
trade. 

The  States-General,  anxious  to  encourage  the  foreign  commerce 
' '  of  Holland,  in  January,  1614,  had  granted  a  charter  to  an  associa- 
tion of  merchants  for  prosecuting  the  whale  fishery  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Nova  Zembla,  and  for  exploring  a  new  passage  to  China.  One  of  the 
directors  of  this  new  company  was  Lambrecht  Van  Tweenhuysen,  one  of 
the  owners  of  Block's  vessel,  the  Ti//n:  The  importance  of  a  similar 
grant  of  privileges  to  those  at  whose  expense  new  avenues  of  trade  were 
being  opened  in  the  vicinity  of  Manhattan  was  almost  immediately  dis- 
cussed. A  petition  to  that  effect  was  sent  to  the  States.2  The  States 
recommended  it  to  the  general  government.  On  the  27th  of  March  the 
following  was  entered  upon  their  records :  "  Whosoever  shall  from  this 

1  A  story  has  been  many  times  repented,  how  Captain  Samuel  Argall  of  Virginia,  while 
returning  from  an  inglorious  expedition  against  the  French  colony  nt  Acadia,  in  November 
of  1613,  stopped  at  Manhattan  and  compelled  the  Dutch  who  were  there  to  submit  to  the 
king  of  England.  Such  may  have  been  in  accordance  with  the  facts,  for  it  would  have  been 
in  keeping  with  Argall's  coarse,  self-willed,  and  avaricious  character  ;  but  it  is  not  supported 
by  authentic  state  papers. 

2  "The  States"  of  Holland  must  not  lie  confounded  with  the  States-fieneral.  The  differ- 
ence was  as  great  as  between  the  representation  of  the  State  of  New  York  and  the  Federal 
Congress  at  Washington. 


NEW  TRADING  PRIVILEGES. 


39 


time  forward  discover  any  new  passages,  havens,  lands,  or  places  shall 
have  the  exclusive  right  of  navigating  to  the  same  for  four  voyages." 

It  was  required  that  reports  of  discoveries  should  be  made  to  the 
States-General  within  fourteen  days  after  the  return  of  the  exploring 
vessels,  in  order  that  the  parties  entitled  to  them  should  receive  the 
specific  trading  privileges.  When  simultaneous  discoveries  should  be 
made  by  different  parties,  the  promised  monopoly  was  to  be  enjoyed  by 
them  in  common. 


View  of  the  Vyverberg  at  the  Hague. 


40 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


CHAPTER  III. 

1614  - 1625. 
THE  HAGUE. 

The  Hague. — John  of  Barneveld. — New.  Netherland. — New  England. — Tin: 
First  Fort  at  Manhattan.  — .  Political  Commotion  in  Holland.  —  John  of  Bai:ne- 
veld's  Execution.  —  Imprisonment  of  Grotius. — The  West  India  Company. — 
The  Amsterdam  Chamber. — The  First  Settlers  of  New  Netherland. — Death 
of  the  Prince  of  Orange.  —  Death  of  James  I.  —  The  Marriage  of  Charles  I. 
—  The  First  Governor  of  New  Netherland. 

THE  Hague  was  the  seat  of  government  in  the  United  Provinces.  It 
was  a  fine  old  city,  with  broad,  straight  streets,  lined  with  trees  and 
traversed  by  canals.    It  owed  its  origin  to  a  hunting-seat  built  by  the 
counts  of  Holland,  and  its  name  to  the  enclosing  liaeq  or  hedge 

161*.    ■  '  ....  6 

which  surrounded  their  magnificent  park.  It  derived  its  impor- 
tance from  the  constant  presence  of  gifted  and  illustrious  men.  The 
princes  of  Orange,  the  officers  of  State,  and  the  foreign  ministers  ac- 
credited to  the  Republic,  resided  within  its  limits.  It  was  the  home  of 
the  ancient  nobility,  and  the  favorite  resort  of  persons  of  culture  and 
distinction  from  all  portions  of  modern  Europe.  It  was  a  city  of  palaces. 
Among  its  public  buildings  was  the  Binnchof,  or  inner  court,  the  ancient 
palace  of  the  counts  of  Holland.  It  contained  a  magnificent  Gothic  hall, 
the  rival  of  Westminster.  Opposite  was  a  smaller  apartment,  superbly 
decorated,  in  which  were  held  the  "  dignified  and  extraordinary  "  meet- 
ings of  the  States-General. 

The  management  of  the  Seven  United  Provinces  was  vested  in  five 
chief  powers,  —  the  States-General,  the  Council  of  State,  the  Chamber 
of  Accounts,  the  Stallholder,  and  the  College  of  the  Admiralty.  The 
States-General  had  the  most  influence  and  authority,  but  it  was  hardly  a 
representative  body.  It  was,  more  properly  speaking,  a  deputation  from 
the  Seven  Provinces,  who  were  bound  to  obey  their  constituents  to  the 
letter.  It  was  composed  chiefly  of  noblemen.  Twelve  usually  assembled 
at  its  ordinary  meetings.  Prominent  among  them  was  the  founder  of 
the  Dutch  Republic, — he  who  had  organized  a  political  system  out  of 


f 


JOHN  OF  BARN E  VELD. 


41 


chaos ;  a  man  who  had  no  superior  in  statesmanship,  in  law,  in  the 
science  of  government,  in  intellectual  power,  in  force  of  character.  It 
was  John  of  Barneveld.  He  bore  an  ancient  and  knightly  name.  He 
was  of  tall  and  commanding  presence.  While  he  cared  more  for  the 
substance  than  the  graces  of  speech,  he  was  noted  for  his  convincing 
rhetoric  and  magnetic  eloquence.  He  had  now  reached  his  sixty-eighth 
year.  He  was  austere  and  unbending  in  manner,  with  thin  white  hair 
pushed  from  a  broad  forehead  which  rose  dome-like  above  a  square  and 
massive  face.  He  had  a  chill  blue  eye,  not  winning  but  commanding, 
high  cheek-bones,  a  solid,  somewhat  scornful  nose,  a  firm  mouth  and 
chin,  the  latter  of  which  was  enveloped  in  a  copious  white  beard,  and  the 
whole  head  not  unfitly  framed  in  the  stiff,  formal  ruff  of  the  period.  His 
magisterial  robes  were  of  velvet  and  sable,  and  thus  we  have  him  in  our 
mind's  eye  as  he  sat  at  the  head  of  the  oval  council  table  on  October  11, 
1614. 

In  the  midst  of  the  transaction  of  weighty  affairs  of  state,  a  committee 
of  Amsterdam  merchants  was  announced.  They  were  admitted  without 
delay.  The  chief  speaker  among  them  was  Captain  Block.  He  told  his 
story  of  adventure  and  discovery,  and  displayed  a  "  Figurative  map  " 
of  the  country  at  the  mouth  of  the  Hudson  Biver  and  thereabouts,  which 
had  been  executed  artistically  under  his  own  supervision,  and  which  was 
spread  upon  the  council  table  and  examined  with  interest.  Barneveld 
asked  many  questions,,  all  of  which  Block  answered  promptly  and  in- 
telligently. Barneveld  remarked  that,  "  in  course  of  time  those  exten- 
sive regions  might  become  of  great  political  importance  to  the  Dutch 
Republic."    Several  of  the  Statesmen  expressed  the  same  opinion. 

The  merchants  were  before  them  to  petition  for  a  special  trading 
license  to  the  Hudson  country,  and  the  "  high  and  mighty  lords  "  were  so 
favorably  inclined,  that  their  secretary  was  at  once  ordered  to  draw  up  a 
minute  of  a  trading  charter,  the  original  of  which  is  in  existence,  and 
records  in  almost  illegible  characters  the  first  use  of  the  term  New 
Netherland.  This  instrument  was  sealed  and  attested  before  the  appli- 
cants left ;  and  by  it  they  were  granted  the  full  and  exclusive  right  to 
trade  in  New  Netherland  for  four  successive  voyages  to  be  made  within 
three  years  from  the  1st  of  January,  1615.  It  expressly  forbade  any 
other  party  from  sailing  out  of  the  United  Provinces  to  that  territory,  or 
frequenting  the  same,  within  the  time  specified,  under  pain  of  confisca- 
tion of  vessels  and  cargoes,  and  a  fine  of  fifty  thousand  Netherland  ducats 
to  the  benefit  of  the  grantees  of  the  charter.1    It  was  a  distinct  act  of 

1  The  original  charter  was  brought  to  light  by  Mr.  Brodhead  during  his  researches  in  the 
archives  of  the  Hague. 


42 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


sovereignty  over  the  country  between  New  France  and  Virginia,  which 
was  called  "  New  Netherland,"  a  name  which  it  continued  to  bear 
for  half  a  century.  It  was  entirely  without  boundary  lines,  and 
extended  westward  as  far  as  the  Dutch  might  be  supposed  ever  to  explore. 
Yet  the  charter,  after  all,  was  only  an  assurance  to  the  associated  mer- 
chants of  a  monopoly  of  trade  against  the  competition  of  other  Dutch  sub- 
jects, without,  for  the  present,  asserting  the  right  to  exclude  the  outside 
world.  No  political  powers  were  granted  for  the  government  of  the  new 
province,  and  nothing  was  at  the  time  contemplated  but  discovery 
and  traffic. 

It  is  a  singular  coincidence,  that,  during  the  same  summer  in  which 
Block  was  exploring  Long  Island  Sound,  Captain  John  Smith  was  visit- 
ing the  bays  and  coasts  of  Maine  and  Massachusetts.  And  about  the 
very  time  that  the  States-General  were  granting  the  above  charter,  the 
Crown  Prince  of  England  was  confirming  the  name  "  New  England," 
which  Smith  had  given  to  the  territories  north  of  Cape  Cod. 

Block  never  revisited  this  country,  where  he  holds  an  honorable  place 
in  the  annals  of  its  discovery,  and  where  his  name  will  ever  be  remem- 
bered as  the  first  ship-builder.  The  enterprising  Van  Tweenhuysen  sent 
him  north  on  a  whaling  voyage,  as  his  services  were  esteemed  more 
valuable  in  that  direction. 

The  merchant  company  were  not  slow  to  draw  from  their  new  posses- 
sions the  largest  returns.  They  fitted  out  several  vessels  for  the  Hudson 
or  Mauritius  River,  and  sent  with  them  some  of  the  shrewdest  traders  in 
Holland.  They  ordered  Christiaensen  to  erect  a  trading-house,  which  he 
did  nn  an  island  a  little  below  the  present  city  of  Albany.  It  was 
thirty-six  feet  long  by  twenty-six  wide,  and  around  it  was  raised  a 
stockade  fifty  feet  square,  which  was  encircled  by  a  moat  eighteen  feet 
wide,  the  whole  being  defended  by  two  pieces  of  cannon,  and  eleven 
stone  guns  mounted  on  swivels.  The  post  was  called  Fort  Nassau,  was 
garrisoned  with  twelve  men,  and  placed  under  the  command  of  Jacob 
Eelkens,  who  had  a  rare  talent  for  making  friends  with  the  Indians. 
Christiaensen  had  scarcely  completed  his  work,  when  he  was  murdered 
by  one  of  the  young  chiefs  whom  he  had  taken  to  Holland  three  years 
before,  thus  finding  a  grave  in  the  country  to  which  he  had  made  more 
successful  voyages  than  any  one  man  up  to  that  time. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  spring,  a  building  was  erected  on  the  lower 
point  of  Manhattan  Island,  to  answer  the  double  purpose  of  storehouse 
and  fort.  It  was  a  small  structure  of  logs,  without  any  very  practicable 
defences  of  any  kind.  A  few  huts  sprung  up  around  it  after  this  wise. 
A  square  pit  was  dug  in  the  ground,  cellar  fashion,  six  or  seven  feet  deep 


THE  FIRST  FORT  AT  MANHATTAN. 


43 


and  from  twelve  to  thirty  feet  long,  floored  with  plank,  and  roofed  with 
spars,  bark  and  sods  being  added  when  necessary  to  exclude  the  cold. 
The  traders  lived  usually  in  their  ships,  but  it  was  found  convenient  to 
have  a  few  men  on  shore  to  guard  the  warehouse,  and  to  keep  the  furs 
gathered,  ready  for  shipment  to  Holland. 

Thus  two  years  passed.  No  event  of  any  note  happened  until  the 
spring  of  1617,  when  Fort  Nassau  was  nearly  washed  away  by  a  freshet 
on  the  breaking  up  of  the  ice  on  the  Hudson  River.  The  traders 
desired  to  remain  in  the  vicinity  of  this  great  eastern  terminus  of 
the  Indian  thoroughfare,  and  built  a  new  fort  on  an  eminence,  which  the 
Mohawks  called  Ttvass-gunshe,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Twasentha  River. 
Soon  after  taking  possession  of  these  new  quarters,  a  formal  treaty  was 
concluded  with  the  chiefs  of  the  Five  Nations.  The  ceremonies  were 
imposing,  each  dusky  tribe  having  an  ambassador  present.  The  pipe  of 
peace  was  smoked  and  the  hatchet  buried,  the  Dutch  agreeing  to  build  a 
church  over  the  instrument  of  death,  so  that  to  exhume  it  would  be  to 
overturn  the  sacred  edifice.  It  was  a  politic  movement  on  the  part  of 
the  Dutch,  for  they  thus  secured  the  quiet  possession  of  the  Indian  trade 
to  the  filling  of  their  coffers,  while  the  Indians  were  well  satisfied,  for 
they  had  learned  the  use  of  fire-arms  from  the  French,  and.  were  now 
eager  to  get  them  and  maintain  their  supremacy  over  the  neighboring- 
tribes. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1618,  the  trading  charter  expired  by  its  own 
limitation,  and,  when  the  associated  merchants  tried  to  renew  it,  the 
States-General  only  consented  to  give  a  special  license  to  trade  at 
New  Netherland  from  year  to  year.  The  Dutch  Republic  was 
once  more  in  commotion  from  centre  to  circumference,  and  the  West 
India  Company  was  the  chief  point  at  issue.  Since  the  ministers  of 
state  were  unable  to  prophesy  probable  results,  they  were  careful  not  to 
involve  themselves  in  American  affairs.  Usselincx  had  been  quietly  at 
work  since  1609,  and,  although  he  was  well  aware  that  the  establishment 
of  the  desired  company  must  necessarily  be  postponed  until  the  expiration 
of  the  truce,  yet  there  were  many  obstacles  to  be  removed,  and,  in  his 
judgment,  it  was  none  too  early  to  be  taking  the  preliminary  steps.  In 
all  his  movements  he  was  effectually  aided  by  Maurice,  Prince  of  Orange. 

The  outward  shape  of  the  strife  was  religious.  A  theological  battle 
was  in  progress  between  Arminianism  and  strict  Calvinism.  A  con- 
spiracy against  Barneveld  was  rapidly  approaching  its  crisis.  He  was 
a  liberal  Christian,  and  had  all  his  life  advocated  religious  toleration. 
The  Belgians  called  him  "Pope  John."  They  charged  him  with  being  a 
traitor  bought  with  Spanish  gold.    Poisonous  pamphlets  appeared  day 


44 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


after  day,  until  there  was  hardly  a  crime  in  the  calendar  that  was  not 
laid  at  his  door.  It  was  a  horrible  personal  assault  upon  the  venerable 
statesman  who  had  successfully  guided  the  counsels  of  the  infant  com- 
monwealth at  a  period  when  most  of  his  accusers  were  in  their  cradles, 
and  when  mistake  would  have  been  ruin  to  the  Republic.  He  stood  in 
the  way  of  the  formation  of  the  West  India  Company,  and  the  Belgians 
were  determined  to  get  rid  of  him.  Prince  Maurice  was  an  ambitious 
general,  and  although  Barneveld  had  been  the  first  to  elevate  him  to 
his  father's  position  as  Stadtholder,  and  inspire  the  whole  country  with 
respect  for  his  military  skill  and  leadership,  yet  the  truce  with  Spain 
deprived  him  of  a  large  share  of  his  authority  and  influence,  and  he  felt 
himself  so  thwarted  by  the  power  of  the  patriotic  advocate,  that  he 
helped  to  organize  the  campaign  against  him,  making  no  secret  of  his 
hatred,  and  determination  to  crush  him  from  off  the  face  of  the  earth. 

At  last  the  Advocate  was  arrested  by  the  order  of  Maurice,  and 
closely  confined  in  one  of  the  apartments  of  the  Prince.    The  shower  of 
pamphlets  and  lampoons  and  libels  began  afresh,  filled  with  dark 

Aug  29*  •  ^ 

'  allusions  to  horrible  discoveries  and  promised  revelations.  Even 
the  relatives  of  the  fallen  statesman  could  not  appear  in  the  streets  with- 
out being  exposed  to  insult,  and  without  hearing  all  manner  of  obscene 
verses  and  scurrilous  taunts  howled  in  their  ears.  The  clergy  upheld 
Maurice,  because,  having  been  excluded  from  political  office,  they  were  in 
active  opposition  to  the  civil  authorities.  They  helped  to  spread  the 
story  that  Spain  had  bribed  Barneveld  to  bring  about  the  tunc  and 
kill  the  West  India  Company;  and  also  that  the  Advocate  had  plotted 
to  sell  the  whole  country  and  drive  Maurice  into  exile.  The  nobles,  the 
states,  the  municipal  governments,  and  every  man  who  dared  defend 
Barneveld,  were  libeled  and  accused  of  being  stipendiaries  of  Spain. 
The  war  waxed  so  serious  that  soldiers  were  kept  constantly  on  duty  to 
prevent  bloodshed  in  the  streets.  And  at  this  critical  moment,  the  weak 
king  of  England  inflamed  the  mischief  by  personal  intermeddling. 

The  National  Synod  of  Dordrecht  was  finally  appointed,  and 
foreign  churches  invited  to  send  delegates.    It  came  together  on 
the  13th  of  November,  1618,  and  sat  for  more  than  seven  months,  at  a 
cost  to  the  Republic  of  a  million  of  guilders.    It  resulted  in  a  Calvinist 
victory,  the  Arminians  being  pronounced  "  innovators,  rebellious,  leaders 
of  faction,  teachers  of  false  doctrine,  and  disturbers  of  church  and  nation." 
The  president  said,  in  his  address  to  the  foreign  members  at  the 
close  of  the  session,  that  "the  marvelous  labors  of  the  Synod  had 
May9'  made  hell  tremble." 

Meanwhile,  Barneveld  had  beeu  for  several  months  confined  in  a 


JOHN  OF  BA RNE  VEL D'S  EXECUTION. 


45 


dreary  garret  room,  and  kept  in  complete  ignorance  of  even  the  most 
insignificant  every-day  events.  On  the  18th  of  March  he  was  brought 
to  trial,  but  not  permitted  the  help  of  lawyer,  clerk,  or  man  of 
business.  His  papers  and  books  were  denied  him,  also  pen,  ink,  °  18' 
and  writing  materials.  He  made  his  own  defence  with  indignant  elo- 
quence, but  it  availed  him  nothing.  Four  days  after  the  termination  of 
the  Synod,  on  the  morning  of  the  13th  of  May,  the  majestic  old 

May  13 

man  was  led  into  the  vast  hall,  which  had  so  often  in  other  days 
rung  with  the  sounds  of  mirth  and  revelry,  and  received  the  sentence  of 
death.  Then  he  was  taken  to  a  scaffold  in  the  hollow  square  in  front 
of  the  ancient  palace,  and  beheaded.  He  was  within  five  months  of  the 
completion  of  his  seventy-second  year.  His  property  was  confiscated  to 
the  state,  and  his  proud  and  prosperous  family  reduced  to  beggary. 

His  principal  adherents  were  imprisoned  for  life.  Hugh  Grotius,  who 
was  a  powerful  opponent  to  the  prospective  West  India  Company,  was 
sent  to  the  Castle  of  Loevenstein,  which  stood  on  an  island  formed  by  the 
Waal  and  the  Meuse.  He  was  an  illustrious  Dutch  jurist  and  author, 
and  influenced  a  large  class  of  people  who  were  not  directly  involved  in 
the  theological  controversy.  He  was  so  closely  guarded  in  his  prison  for 
a  time,  that  not  even  his  father  or  his  wife  were  allowed  an  interview 
with  him.  His  wife  at  last  obtained  permission  to  share  his  fate.  In 
her  society  and  in  close  study  he  passed  two  years,  during  which  time  he 
wrote  some  very  important  works.  His  wife  had  been  in  the  habit  of 
receiving  books  in  a  large  chest,  and,  finding  that  the  guards  had  grown 
somewhat  careless  in  its  examination,  she  ingeniously  managed  one  morn- 
ing to  have  Grotius  carried  out  in  it.  He  disguised  himself  as  a  mason, 
and  witli  trowel  and  rule  made  his  escape  to  Antwerp.  He  afterward 
took  up  his  abode  in  Paris,  and  was  protected  by  the  French  government. 

Immediately  after  the  removal  of  the  chief  antagonist,  Usselincx 
started  a  subscription  list  for  the  West  India  Company,  but  it  was  1619' 
filled  out  slowly.    The  States-General  were  unwilling  that  a  foreion 
element  should  create  to  itself  so  mighty  an  arm.    They  had  no  sym- 
pathy with  its  grand  purpose,  which  was  to  combat  and  worry  Spain,  and 
gather  its  recompense  from  the  spoils.    The  East  India  Company  openly 
and  persistently  opposed  the  whole  project.    For  a  year  scarcely  any 
progress  was  made.    Finally  the  English  unwittingly  added  the 
straw  which  was  to  turn  the  scale.    They  had  taken  cognizance  1630' 
of  the  Dutch  traffic  on  the  Hudson  River,  and  instructed  their  minister 
at  the  Hague  to  remind  the  States-General  of  the  patent  which  James  1. 
granted  to  the  Plymouth  and  London  companies,  and  of  its  broad  juris- 
diction.   He  was  also  directed  to  warn  the  Dutch  statesmen  of  the 


46  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


impropriety  of  their  permitting  Dutch  vessels  to  visit  English  coasts  for 
purposes  of  traffic.  There  was  an  animated  diplomatic  correspondence 
on  the  subject,  each  government  trying  to  define  its  own  position,  and 
justify  its  own  acts,  and  establish  its  own  rights.  But  no  definite  results 
were  attained,  save  that  the  States-General  were  sharp-sighted  enough  to 
discover  that  the  only  power  by  which  they  could  possibly  hold  New 
Netherland  was  absolute  possession.  In  the  newly  drafted  constitution 
of  the  West  India  Company  was  a  clause  by  which  the  corporation 
would  be  obligated  to  people  the  so-called  Dutch  territory  of  North 
America.  The  prospective  company,  therefore,  was  suddeidy  regarded 
with  less  disfavor.  In  a  few  weeks  it  received  decided  and  direct 
encouragement  from  the  Dutch  government;  and,  after  many  birth- 
throes,  it  became  an  accomplished  fact. 

^  Probably  no  private  corporation  was  ever  invested  with  such 
enormous  powers.  But  the  right  to  the  vast  and  valuable  lands 
in  America,  with  which  it  was  endowed  by  the  States-General,  was  not 
legally  estabhshed,  and  was  the  seed  for  a  bountiful  harvest  of  discontent. 
The  company  was  organized  into  almost  a  distinct  and  separate  govern- 
ment. It  might  make  contracts  and  alliances  with  the  princes  and  the 
natives  comprehended  within  the  limits  of  its  charter.  It  might  build 
forts.  It  might  appoint  and  discharge  governors,  soldiers,  and  public 
officers.  It  might  administer  justice.  It  might  take  any  step  which 
seemed  desirable  for  the  promotion  of  trade.  And  its  admirals  on  dis- 
tant seas  were  empowered  to  act  independently  of  administration.  It 
w  as  required,  it  is  true,  to  communicate  with  the  States-General  from  time 
to  time  of  its  treaties  and  alliances,  and  to  furnish  detailed  statements  of 
its  forts  and  settlements,  and  to  submit  to  their  high  mightinesses  for 
approval,  all  instructions  for  prominent  officials,  and  apply  to  them  for 
high  commissions.  It  took  upon  itself,  however,  —  and  without  properly 
appreciating  the  magnitude  of  the  undertaking,  —  one  of  the  greatest  of 
public  burdens,  the  naval  war  against  a  powerful  enemy,  and  assumed  at 
once  a  thoroughly  dangerous  position.  Warfare  is  always  so  manifestly 
unprofitable,  that  to  undertake  it  without  the  aid  of  government,  in  any 
event,  is  sheer  folly.  "  Needful  assistance  "  was  promised,  but  the  com- 
pany soon  found  that  they  had  no  means  of  enforcing  the  fulfilment  of 
such  a  promise.  And  to  increase  their  future  difficulties,  the  Barneveld 
party  recovered  strength,  and,  in  course  of  years,  found  in  the  De  Witts 
even  more  powerful  leaders  than  Barneveld  himself  had  heen. 

The  West  India  Company  was  modelled  after  the  East  India  Company. 
It  was  ''uaranteed  the  trade;  of  the  American  and  African  shores  of  the 
Atlantic,  precisely  as  the  East  India  Company  had  been  granted  the 


THE  WEST  INDIA  COMPANY. 


47 


right  to  send  ships  to  Asia,  to  the  exclusion  of  the  other  inhabitants  of  the 
Dutch  provinces.  It  was  divided,  like  the  East  India  Company,  into 
five  chambers,  or  boards,  which  were  located  in  the  five  cities  of  Amster- 
dam, the  Meuse,  North  Holland,  Zealand,  and  Friesland.  Each  of  these 
chambers  was  a  separate  society,  with  members,  directors,  and  vessels  of 
its  own.  The  capital  of  the  company  was  six  million  florins,—  about 
$  2,500,000.  This  sum,  however,  was  not  divided  equally  between  the 
five  chambers,  but  Amsterdam  had  four  ninths ;  Zealand,  two  ninths ;  and 
each  of  the  other  three  chambers,  one  ninth.  In  nearly  the  same  pro- 
portion was  the  representation  in  the  general  committee  of  nineteen 
directors  who  conducted  the  common  affairs  of  the  company,  and  were 
called  the  "  College  of  the  XIX."  1    They  adopted  the  democratic  prin- 


West  India  Company's  House. 


ciples  of  the  Belgians,  and  accorded  to  the  shareholders  a  voice  in  all 
important  proceedings,  which  was  a  .constant  reproach  to  the  East  India 
Company,  and  created  no  inconsiderable  amount  of  slanderous  mis- 
representation and  cavil. 

As  soon  as  the  provisional  existence  of  the  company  had  become  a 
permanent  one,  there  was  a  change  in  the  tone  of  public  sentiment. 
Those  who  had  used  their  pens  with  the  utmost  virulence  to  prevent  its 
accomplishment,  turned  about  and  declared  it  to  be  the  first  move  on  the 
direct  road  to  national  prosperity.    Its  final  organization  was  delayed  two 

1  Charter  at  length,  in  Grool,  Placaat  Book,  I.  566  ;  Hazard;  Brodhead ;  Lambrechtsen  : 
De  Laet;  Doc.  History  of  N.  Y.  ;  O'Callaghan;  Biographical  and  Historical  Essay  on  the 
Dutch  Books  and  Ptiliiph/ets,  by  (i.  M.  Asher,  LL.  D. 


48 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


years  longer ;  during  which  time  two  questions  occupied  the  minds  of  all 
interested  parties.  "  Shall  the  Guinea  trade  and  the  salt  trade  be  integral 
parts  of  the  patent  of  the  company  ? "  The  affirmative  gained  the  day. 
Then  arose  pecuniary  complications.  The  opposition  of  the  East  India 
Company  had  created  a  panic  in  regard  to  the  credit  and  character  of  the 
new  company,  and  the  directors  were  not  able  to  collect  a  sufficient 
amount  of  capital  to  commence  operations  until  they  had  twice  declared 
the  list  of  subscribers  closed.  The  original  charter  was  also  twice  ampli- 
fied in  certain  points  of  detail,  and  articles  of  internal  improvement 
adopted.  It  was  formally  approved  by  the  States-General  on  the  21st  of 
June,  1623. 

The  extraordinary  company  struck  out  boldly.  Its  fleets  often 
numbered  as  many  as  seventy  armed  vessels  each.  It  seemed 
destined  to  humble  Spain,  whether  it  suppressed  or  promoted  piracy.  It 
met  with  many  brilliant  successes.  Prizes  were  captured  of  such  value, 
that,  during  the  first  few  years,  the  shareholders  received  from  twenty- 
five  to  seventy-five  per  cent  upon  their  investments.  Although  the 
six  millions  of  capital  had  been  brought  together  with  difficulty,  twelve 
millions  were  easily  added.  The  first  ten  years  of  its  existence  were 
marked  by  three  events  of  historic  importance,  —  the  taking  of  Bahia 
in  1624;  the  capture  in  1628  of  the  Silver  fleet,  which  consisted  of 
large  armed  transports  conveying  silver  and  gold  from  the  South  Ameri- 
can mines  to  Spain;  and  the  conquest  of  Pernambuco  in  1630:  all  of 
which  are  fondly  remembered  in  Holland.  But  its  history  might  have 
been  foretold.  There  were  defects  in  its  organization  which  rendered  it 
unable  to  establish  a  thriving  commerce  or  flourishing  settlements.  And 
the  possessions  which  it  obtained  were  never  governed  properly. 

Within  a  month  after  its  incorporation,  three  ships  were  sent  to  the 
West  Indies,  and  an  armed  expedition  dispatched  for  an  attack  upon 
Brazil.  New  Netherland  received  only  such  attention 
as  was  necessary  te  satisfy  the  States-General  that  it 
would  ultimately  be  colonized,  according  to  contract,  by 
the  company.  New  Netherland  affairs  were  intrusted  to 
the  Amsterdam  Chamber.  The  treasure  was  sufficient  to 
have  enriched  them  if  they  had  known  how  to  develop 
its  valuable  trade  and  fertile  lands.  They  blundered, 
as  bodies  of  men  with  more  light  and  wider  experience 
have  been  continually  blundering  ever  since  their  time. 
They  desired  to  make  money  in  some  more  swift  and 
easy  manner,  and  failed  to  put  their  efforts  in  the  right 
Flag  of  west  India   plar;e    Thev  however  erected  the  indefinite  territory 

Company.  r  J  * 


THE  AMSTERDAM  CHAMBER. 


49 


into  a  province,  with  a  grant  from  the  States-General  of  the  armorial  dis- 
tinctions of  a  count.  The  seal  was  a  shield  bearing  a  beaver  proper, 
surmounted  by  a  count's  coronet,  encircled  by  the  words  "  SlGILLUM  Novi 
Belgi." 

The  directors  of  the  Amsterdam  Chamber  were  John  De  Laet,  the  his- 
torian, Kiliaen  Van  Eensselaer,  Michael  Pauw,  Peter  Evertsen  Hulft, 
Jonas  Witsen,  Hendrick  Hamel,  Samuel  Godyn,  and  Samuel  Blommaert. 
They  were  all  men  of  wealth  and  education.  But  they  were  none  of 
them  very  deeply  interested  in  the  wild  Indian  country.  However,  they 
took  measures  to  secure  a  party  of  Protestant  Walloons,  to  send  over  to 
their  new  possessions.  These  people  were  that  portion  of  the  Belgians  who 
were  of  Celtic  origin,  and  were  ingenious  as  well  as  brave  and  industrious. 
They  had  applied  the  year  before  to  the  English  for  permission  to  emi- 
grate to  Virginia,  but  the  conditions  offered  by  the  Virginia  Company 
had  been  such  that  they  had  seen  fit  to  decline  them.    A  ship 

i  1634. 

called  the  New  Netherland,  commanded  by  Captain  May,  con- 
veyed thirty  of  these  families  to  our  shores.  They  brought  with  them 
a  knowledge  of  the  arts  in  which  they  were  proficient,  and  were  dis- 
tinguished for  their  extraordinary  persistence  in  overcoming  difficulties. 
A  young  man  by  the  name  of  Dobbs  was  one  of  the  passengers  in  this 
vessel.  He  was  the  ancestor  of  a  large  and  influential  family,  among 
whom  was  Dr.  Benjamin  P.  Aydelott,  a  well-known  physician  in  the  time 
of  Dr.  Hosack  and  Dr.  Francis.  Upon  their  arrival,  two  families  and  six 
men  were  sent  to  the  great  Fresh  Eiver,  and  the  remainder  proceeded  to 
the  fort  on  the  Hudson  Eiver,  excepting  eight  of  the  men,  who  remained 
at  Manhattan.  A  new  fort  was  immediately  projected  on  the  alluvial  soil 
now  occupied  by  the  business  portion  of  Albany,  and  called  Fort  Orange, 
in  honor  of  Maurice,  who  was  greatly  beloved  by  the  Belgians. 

About  the  same  time  preparations  were  made  for  occupying  the  genial 
valley  of  the  South  or  Delaware  Eiver.  A  few  traders  selected  a  spot  on 
its  east  bank,  near  the  present  town  of  Gloucester,  in  New  Jersey,  and 
built  a  fort  which  they  called  Fort  Nassau.  Later  in  the  season  other 
vessels  came  from  Holland,  bringing  settlers,  and  about  eighteen  persons 
were  added  to  the  colony  at  Albany.  Adrian  Joris,  the  second  to  Captain 
May  in  command,  sent  his  vessel  to  Holland  in  charge  of  Ins  son,  and 
stayed  with  them  all  winter.  Eelkens  was  arrested  in  January  for  im- 
prisoning a  Sequin  chief  on  board  his  yacht,  and  Peter  Bareutsen  was 
made  commander  of  the  post  in  his  place. 

The  income  from  the  fur-trade  of  New  Netherland  during  that 
first  year  amounted  to  twenty-eight  thousand  guilders.  The  West 
India  Company,  who  were  already  elated  with  their  victories  in  Brazil, 

4 


50  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


were  gratified,  and  began  to  discuss  the  project  of  building  a  town  upon 
Manhattan  Island,  which  was  represented  as  a  point  of  great  natural 
beauty,  and  favorably  located  for  commerce.  To  test  the  disposition  of 
adventurers,  they  publicly  offered  inducements  to  such  as  might  wish 
to  emigrate  to  America.  Volunteers  were  not  wanting  in  populous 
Holland,  and  three  large  ships  were  soon  freighted,  also  one  fast  sail- 
ing yacht.  Six  entire  families  and  several  single  men,  forty-five  per- 
sons in  all,  with  household  furniture,  tanning  utensils,  and  one  hundred 
and  three  head  of  cattle,  were  conveyed  to  Manhattan.  One  of  the 
party,  William  Verhulst,  succeeded  Captain  May  in  the  government,  as 
the  latter  was  suddenly  called  to  Holland  on  important  private  business. 

The  year  1625  was  marked  by  two  important  European  events  which 
had  a  direct  bearing  upon  the  future  prospects  of  New  Netherland.  The 
first  was  the  death  of  the  accomplished  Maurice,  at  the  Hague.  In  him 
the  West  India  Company  lost  one  of  their  most  zealous  and  influential 
champions,  and  the  national  army  their  commander-in-chief.  The 
office  of  Stadtholder  was  conferred  upon  Frederick  Henry,  who  excelled 
the  military  Maurice  in  political  capacity,  and  succeeded  him  as  Prince 
of  Orange. 

The  other  event  was  the  death  of  James  L  of  England,  and  the  conse- 
quent accession  of  Charles  I.  to  the  throne.  England  was  already  at  war 
with  Spain.  James  had  been  exasperated  at  the  failure  of  his  projects  in 
relation  to  the  marriage  of  Charles,  with  the  Infanta,  Donna  Maria,  who 
subsequently  became  the  wife  of  the  Emperor  of  Germany.  He  had 
been  plunged  into  hostilities,  which  the  resources  of  England  were  illy 
able  to  sustain,  and  Charles  had  no  sooner  taken  the  scepter  in  his  hand 
than  he  commenced  negotiating  an  alliance  with  the  Dutch  Republic 
against  the  common  enemy.  Meanwhile  he  married  Henrietta  Maria, 
daughter  of  Henry  IV.  of  France.  She  came  to  England  with  a  train  of 
Roman  Catholic  priests  and  attendants,  which  quickly  stirred  the  English 
people  into  a  commotion,  and  intensified  the  hatred  which  they  bore 
towards  Roman  Catholic  queens.  Charles  was  a  monarch  of  elegant, 
gentleman-like  tastes,  of  dignified  manners,  and  of  great  obstinacy  of 
purpose.  He  could  not  apparently  conceive  of  any  obligation  on  the 
part  of  a  king  to  his  subjects.  He  set  himself  deliberately  at  work, 
in  defiance  of  all  law,  to  introduce  into  his  own  country  the  system  of 
government  which  prevailed  in  France.  He  had  not  by  any  means  the 
wretched  excuse  of  a  wile's  influence.  Henrietta  had  indeed  refused  to 
be  crowned,  lest  she  should  join  in  the  rites  of  the  Church  of  England. 
But  she  was  a  mere  child  in  years,  totally  uncultivated,  and  ignorant 
of  the  language  and  history  of  her  husband's  country,  and  knew  nothing 


THE  MARRIAGE  OF  CHARLES  I. 


51 


whatever  about  the  Anglican  religion.  She  had  been  not  only  betrothed, 
but  married  to  Charles  by  proxy.  The  Duke  de  Chevreuse,  a  near  kins- 
man of  the  king,  acted  in  that  capacity.  At  the  ceremony,  which  took 
place  in  the  porch  of  Notre  Dame,  he  was  attired  in  black  velvet,  and 
wore  a  sc  alrf  flowered  with  diamond  roses.  The  bride  wore  a  magnifi- 
cent white  satin  robe,  threaded  with  gold  and  silver,  and  flowered  with 
French  lilies  in  gems  and  diamonds.  The  Queen  mother,  Marie  de 
Medicis,  shone  like  a  pillar  of  precious  stones,  and  her  long  train  was 
borne  by  two  princes  of  the  blood,  Conde  and  Conti.  But  out  of  respect 
to  the  religious  feelings  of  Charles,  the  English  ambassadors,  and  even 
the  proxy  himself,  withdrew  from  the  Notre  Dame  during  the  concluding 
mass.  The  cortege  of  the  bride  landed  at  Dover,  June  23d,  just  after 
sunset.  At  ten  the  next  morning  the  king  arrived  while  Henrietta  was 
breakfasting.  She  rose  from  the  table,  hastily,  and  ran  down  a  pair 
of  stairs  to  greet  him,  and  offered  to  kneel  and  kiss  his  hand ;  but  he  was 
too  full  of  gallantry  to  permit  her  to  do  so,  and  caught  her  in  his  arms 
and  folded  her  to  his  heart  with  many  loving  caresses.  She  had  been 
taught  to  say,  "  Sir,  I  have  come  to  your  Majesty's  country  to  be  com- 
manded by  you,"  but  the  set  speech  failed  her,  and  she  burst  into 
tears.  Charles  became  very  fond  of  her  and  took  great  pride  in  her 
beauty  and  musical  powers,  but  he  never  discussed  matters  of  state  with 
her.  Pope  Urban  VIII.  was  exceedingly  averse  to  the  marriage.  He 
said,  "  If  the  Stuart  king  relaxes  the  bloody  penal  laws  against  the  Eoman 
Catholics,  the  English  will  not  suffer  him  to  live  long !  If  those  laws 
are  continued,  what  happiness  can  the  French  princess  have  in  her 
wedlock  ? "  These  words  were  prophetic,  as  we  shall  see  in  future 
chapters. 

Finally,  through  much  astute  diplomacy,  the  treaty  of  alliance,  offen- 
sive and  defensive,  was  concluded  between  England  and  the  United 
Netherlands ;  each  nation  agreeing  to  furnish  fleets  for  the  purpose  of 
destroying  the  Spanish  commerce  in  the  East  Indies.1  It  was  also  stipu- 
lated that  the  war  and  merchant  vessels  of  the  two  countries  should  be 
free  to  enter  the  ports  of  each  other.  One  of  the  first-fruits  of  this  new 
relationship  2  was  a  meeting  of  the  West  India  Company  for  the  transac- 
tion of  special  business.  The  moment  had  arrived  when  the  colonization 
of  New  Netherlatul  might  be  attempted  without  probable  English  inter- 

1  Corps  Dip.,  Vol.  II.  458,  478.  Clarendon  Stale  Papers,  I.  41,  53.  Ailzeina,  I.  671,  1226. 
Lon.  Doc.,  I.  36. 

2  About  the  middle  of  October,  King  Charles  sent  the  Duke  of  Buckingham  and  the  Earl 
of  Holland  as  ambassadors  extraordinary  to  the  States-General  to  negotiate  a  still  closer 
alliance.     Wassenaar,  XII.  39  ;  XVI.  13.   De  Laet.   Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  III.  46,  47. 


52 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


ference.  A  system  of  government  for  the  new  province  was  considered, 
and  various  plans  discussed  for  inducing  settlers  to  emigrate  across 
the  Atlantic.  A  governor  was  named,  and  three  Aveeks  later  received 
his  appointment.  It  was  Peter  Minuet,  of  Wesel,  in  the  kingdom  of 
Westphalia.  He  sailed  from  Amsterdam  in  December,  in  the  ship  Sea 
Mew,  Captain  Adrian  Joris,  and  arrived  at  Manhattan  on  the  4th  of  the 
following  May  (1626).1 

1  Leonard  Kool  came  to  New  Netherland  in  the  Sea  Mew,  as  private  secretary  for  Peter 
Minuet.  His  name  may  now  be  found  attached  to  grants  of  land  in  connection  with  that  of 
the  governor.  He  was  the  ancestor  of  the  Cole  family  in  this  State  ;  the  orthography  of  the 
name  having  passed  through  a  variety  of  phases.    Rev.  David  Coles  genealogical  tree. 


Landing  of  the  Walloons  at  Albany. 


PETER  MINUET. 


53 


CHAPTER  IV. 


1626-1633. 


PURCHASE  OF  THE  SITE  OP  NEW  YORK. 


Peter  Minuet.  — The  First  Buildings. — The  Hokse-Mill. — The  First  Girl  born 
in  New  Netherland. — Diplomatic  Correspondence.  —  The  Embassy  to  Plym- 
outh. —  New  Netherland  not  a  Pecuniary  Success.  —  The  Charter  of  Free- 
dom and  Exemptions.  — The  Manorial  Lords.  —  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer.  —  The 
Van  Rensselaer  Manor-House.  —  The  Great  Ship.  —  Governor  Minuet  and 
Recall. — Wrangling  among  the  Directors  of  the  Company. 

r~P1HE  rocky  point  of  Manhattan  Island,  near  what  is  now  known  as 


-L  the  Battery,  was,  on  the  6th  of  May,  1626,  the  scene  of  one  of  the 
most  interesting  business  transactions  which  has  ever  occurred  1636 
in  the  world's  history.  It  was  the  purchase  of  the  site  of  the  May  6. 
city  of  New  York.  The  West  India  Company  had  instructed  Peter 
Minuet  to  treat  with  the  Indians  for  their  hunting-grounds,  before  he 
took  any  steps  towards  the  erection  of  buildings.  He  accordingly  made 
a  somewhat  superficial  survey  of  the  island,  which  had  been  designated 
as  the  field  for  pioneer  operations,  and  estimated  its  area  at  about  twenty- 
two  thousand  acres.1  He  then  called  together  some  of  the  principal 
Indian  chiefs,  and  offered  beads,  buttons,  and  other  trinkets  in  exchange 
for  their  real  estate.  They  accepted  the  terms  with  unfeigned  delight, 
and  the  bargain  was  closed  at  once.  The  value  of  the  baubles  which 
secured  the  title  to  the  whole  of  Manhattan  Island  was  about  sixty 
guilders,  equal  in  our  currency  to  twenty-four  dollars.  On  the  part  of 
the  Dutch,  it  was  merely  a  politic  measure  to  establish  future  amicable 
relations  with  the  natives  of  the  country,  although  it  was  subsequently 
made  the  basis  of  the  company's  claim  to  the  territory.  It  was,  in 
itself,  a  commonplace  event ;  but,  in  its  relation  to  what  has  since  taken 
place,  it  assumes  peculiar  significance,  and  stands  out  in  immortal  char- 

1  In  Dutch  phraseology  "it  was  eleven  thousand  morgans  in  size."  The  Bhineland  rod 
was  the  Dutch  measure  for  land.  It  contained  twelve  English  feet  four  and  three  fourths 
inches.  There  are  five  rods  to  a  Dutch  chain,  and  six  hundred  square  Dutch  rods  constitute 
a  morgen.    Peter  Faucoimier's  Survey  Book,  1715-1734. 


54 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


acters  as  the  chief  starting-point  of  the  great  commercial  capital  of  the 
west. 

Governor  Minuet  was  a  man  of  rare  energy  and  fully  equal  to  the 
situation.  He  had  had  some  East  Indian  experience,  and,  during  the  last 
two  years,  had  spent  several  months  in  South  America.  He  was  of  mid- 
dle age,  hair  slightly  necked  with  gray,  a  somewhat  dull  black  eye,  and 
a  full-sized  robust  frame.  He  was  permeated  with  the  spirit  of  adven- 
ture, without  being  hampered  with  habits  of  luxury  and  indolence, 
like  his  Virginia  contemporaries.  He  was  brusque,  and  coarse,  and 
self-willed,  but  kind-hearted,  and  was  admirably  successful  in  winning 
the  confidence  of  the  Indians.  His  duties  were  multifarious,  but  not 
remarkably  difficult,  since  the  people  to  rule  over  were  few  in  numbers 
and  obediently  disposed. 

He  organized  the  government  of  tbe  province  as  soon  as  he  had 
obtained  the  title  deed  to  Manhattan  Island.  The  supreme  authority, 
executive,  legislative,  and  judicial,  had  been  vested  in  him  by  the  com- 
pany, with  an  advisory  council  of  five  of  the  best  men  in  the  colony. 
These  were  Peter  Byvelt,  Jacob  Ellertsen  Wissinck,  Jan  Jansen  Brouwer, 
Simon  Dircksen  Pos,  and  Eeynert  Harmenssen.  He  was  empowered 
with  the  administration  of  justice,  except  in  capital  cases,  when 
the  offender,  after  being  convicted,  must  be  sent  with  his  sentence 
to  Holland.  The  secretary  of  the  council  board,  and  also  of  the  prov- 
ince, was  Isaac  De  Easiers,  a  well-educated  young  Hollander  who 
arrived  in  the  same  vessel  with  Minuet.  After  him,  in  order  of  posit  inn, 
was  the  Schout- Fiscal,  a  sort  of  civil  factotum,  half  sheriff  and  half 
attorney-general,  and  the  special  custom-house  officer.  Jan  Lampo, 
of  Cantleburg,  received  the  appointment ;  but  he  knew  very  little  of 
law,  and  was  very  inefficient  in  every  particular.  He  was  allowed  to  sit 
in  the  council  during  its  deliberations,  but  had  no  voice  in  official 
proceedings.  His  compensation  was  in  the  civil  fines  and  penalties, 
and  such  portion  of  criminal  fines  and  confiscated  wages  as  the  governor 
and  council  after  prosecution  might  see  fit  to  bestow  upon  him.  He  bad 
no  part  in  captured  prizes,  and  was  forbidden  to  receive  presents  under 
any  circumstances. 

Minuet  brought  over  with  him  a  competent  engineer,  Kryn  Fredrick, 
who  was  to  superintend  the  construction  of  a  fort,  that  being  wisely 
deemed  the  first  business  to  be  dispatched.  It  did  not  take  long  to  dis- 
cover a  triangular  spot  of  earth  hemmed  in  by  ledges  of  rock,  as  if 
modelled  by  Nature  herself  for  a  fortress.  It  had  a  commanding  view  of 
the  Bay  and  Narrows,  and  was  but  a  short  distance  from  the  water's  edge. 
This  was  chosen ;  but  when  the  work  was  accomplished  it  reflected  no 


THE  FIRST  BUILDINGS. 


55 


remarkable  credit  upon  its  projectors,  except  so  far  as  it  responded  to 
their  immediate  necessities,  for  it  was  simply  a  block-house  with  red- 
cedar  palisades. 

About  the  same  time  was  erected  a  warehouse  of  Manhattan  stone, 
having  a  roof  thatched  with  reeds.  It  was  primitive  even  to  ugliness, 
without  one  redeeming  touch  of  architectural  finish,  but  we  honor  it  as 
the  pioneer  of  all  the  present  long  miles  of  costly  business  edifices.  One 
corner  of  it  was  set  apart  as  the  village  store,  and  was  the  depot  of  sup- 


The  First  Warehouse. 


plies  for  the  colony.  It  grew  erelong  to  be  much  haunted  by  the  Indians, 
who  came  to  sell  their  furs  and  drink  the  "  white  man's  fire-water." 

In  the  course  of  a  few  weeks  several  vessels  arrived  from  Holland, 
each  laden  with  passengers.  The  population  of  the  island  was  thus 
increased  to  nearly  two  hundred ;  thirty  or  more  cheap  dwellings  were 
built  around  the  fort,  and  the  prospect  was  animated  and  encouraging. 
Governor  Minuet,  Secretary  De  Rasiers,  and  Sheriff  Lampo  occupied 
a  habitation  together  for  nearly  three  years.  Negro  servants  performed 
the  labor  of  the  household. 

The  most  notable  building,  as  Avell  as  one  of  the  most  useful, 
which  was  speedily  erected,  was  a  horse-mill.  It  was  located  on 
what  is  now  South  William  Street,  near  Pearl.  The  loft  was  furnished 
with  a  few  rough  seats  and  appropriated  to  the  purposes  of  religious 
worship.  Thus  we  may  observe  that,  while  the  settlement  of  the  prov- 
ince had  been  undertaken  with  no  higher  aim  than  commercial  specu- 
lation, the  moral  and  spiritual  necessities  of  its  people  were  not  entirely 
overlooked.  Two  "  comforters  of  the  sick  "  had  been  sent  over  with  the 
governor,  and  it  was  among  their  specified  duties  to  read  the  Bible  and 
lead  in  devotional  exercises  every  Sabbath  morning.    Two  years  later,  the 


56 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


learned  and  energetic  Jonas  Michaelius  was  employed  to  officiate  at 
religious  meetings  and  instruct  the  children.  He  was  a  warm  personal 
friend  of  Governor  Minuet,  and  exerted  a  very  wholesome  influence 
in  the  community. 

An  event  occurred  late  in  the  autumn  which,  from  its  sad  consequences, 
deserves  special  mention.  A  Weekquaesgeek  Indian  came  from  West 
Chester,  accompanied  by  his  young  nephew,  to  sell  beaver-  skins  to  the 
Dutch.  When  near  the  Fresh  Water  Pond,  he  was  met  by  three  of  the 
governor's  negro  servants,  who  seized  and  robbed,  and  then  murdered 
him.  The  boy  witnessed  the  scene  and  ran  away,  vowing  vengeance. 
He  grew  up  to  manhood,  cherishing  the  terrible  oath  in  his  heart,  and 
many  long  years  afterward  carried  into  execution  his  Indian  ideas  of 
justice.  The  murder  was  concealed  from  the  authorities,  and  the  mur- 
derers escaped  punishment. 

The  fur- trade  was  so  prosperous  that  the  company  were  quite  elated 
with  their  operations  upon  Manhattan  Island.  Perhaps  the  reader 
will  be  grateful  for  a  glimpse  of  this  remarkable  commerce,  as  pictured 
in  a  leter  from  Peter  Schagen  of  Amsterdam,  dated  November  5, 

Nov.  5.  °  •  »  1 

1626,  in  which  he  announces  to  the  company  the  arrival  of  the 
ship  Arms  of  Amsterdam,  direct  from  New  Netherland.   He  writes  :  — 

"  They  had  all  their  grain  sowed  by  the  middle  of  May,  and  reaped  by  the 
middle  of  August.    Our  people  are  in  good  heart  and  live  in  peace  there.  They 
send  thence  samples  of  summer  grain  :  such  as  wheat,  rye,  barley,  oats,  buck- 
wheat, canary-seed,  beans,  and  flax.    The  cargo  of  the  aforesaid  ship  is  :  — • 
7,246    beaver-skins.  36  wild-cat  skins. 

178£  otter-skins.  33  minck-skins. 

675   otter-skins.  34  rat-skins. 

48   minck-skins.  Much  oak  and  hickory  timbers." 

The  same  letter  contains  a  record  of  the  birth  of  the  first  girl  in  New 
Netherland,  —  Sarah  Rapaelje,  daughter  of  Jan  Joris  Rapaelje,  born  June 
9,  1625.1 

1  There  have  been  various  statements  in  regard  to  the  residence  of  Rapaelje  at  the  time  of 
the  birth  of  Sarah.  But  the  depositions  of  his  wife,  Catelina  Trico,  made  in  New  York  before. 
Governor  Dongan,  the  year  prior  to  her  death,  establish  the  time  of  her  arrival  in  this  country 
and  her  first  residence.  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  III.  49-51.  They  went  first  to  live  at  Fort 
Orange,  Albany,  where  they  remained  three  years,  and  where  Sarah,  the  "first-born  Christian 
daughter  in  New  Netherland,"  was  born.  They  afterwards  removed  to  Manhattan,  and  from 
thence  to  the  Waleboght  on  Long  Island.  The  age  of  Catelina  Trico,  at  the  time  her  deposi- 
tions were  taken,  was  eighty-three  years.  She  stated  that  she  came  to  this  country  in  1623 
or  1624,  in  a  ship  called  the  Unity  or  Ecndragt,  commanded  by  Adraen  Joris,  and  that  there 
were  four  women  came  along  with  her  who  were  married  on  shipboard.    Wassenacr,  whose 


DIPLOMATIC  CORRESPONDENCE. 


57 


The  Dutch  were  by  no  means  ignorant  of  their  near  proximity  to  the 
English  settlement  at  Plymouth,  and  after  a  while  began  to  discuss  1627. 
the  propriety  of  establishing  friendly  intercourse  with  their  neigh-  March  9. 
bors.  Minuet  wrote  two  letters  to  the  governor  of  Plymouth,  one  in 
Dutch  and  the  other  in  English,  which  contained  the  most  polite  expres- 
sions of  good-will,  and  an  offer  of  various  kinds  of  goods  in  exchange  for 
beaver  and  otter  skins  and  other  wares. 

A  courteous  response  came  promptly  from  Governor  Bradford. 

.  March  29 

He  assured  Governor  Minuet  that  for  the  current  year  they  were 
fully  supplied  with  necessaries,  but  would  trade  at  some  future  time 
should  the  rates  be  reasonable.  He  took  care,  however,  to  throw  out  some 
very  marked  hints  on  the  questionable  propriety  of  the  Dutch  traffic 
with  the  Indians 'within  the  limits  of  the  king's  patent.  After  writing  it 
in  English,  he  translated  his  letter  into  the  Dutch  language,  and  sent 
both  copies. 

Governor  Minuet  wrote  again  in  August.    His  language  was 

b  °  B     6  Aug.  7. 

expressed  in  the  same  general  friendly  terms,  but  he  firmly  main- 
tained the  right  to  trade  in  the  disputed  localities,  quoting  the  States- 
General  and  Prince  of  Orange  as  authority.    As  an  evidence,  however, 
of  continued  good  feeling,  he  sent  to  Governor  Bradford  "  a  rundlct  of 
& injur  and  two  Holland  cheeses." 

Governor  Bradford  replied  with  great  apparent  deference  of 
manner,  only  deprecating  the  "  over-high  titles "  which  Dutch 
politeness  required,  but  which  Puritan  usage  rejected,  and  repeated  his 
warning  respecting  the  boundary  questiou,  requesting  that  a  commissioner 
be  sent  to  confer  personally  in  the  case.1 

The  secretary,  Isaac  De  Basiers,  was  accordingly  dispatched  as   g  t  5 
ambassador  extraordinary  to  Plymouth.    He  was  a  man  of  fine 
address  and  pleasing  manners,  and  in  other  respects  well  fitted  for  this 
mission,  which  was  of  as  much  importance  in  those  primitive  days  as 

account  was  contemporaneous,  calls  the  ship  the  New  Netherlands  Sarah  Rapaelje,  who  gave 
birth  to  fourteen  children,  was  the  maternal  ancestor  of  several  of  the  most  notable  families 
of  King's  County.  At  the  age  of  twenty-nine  she  was  the  widow  of  Hans  Hansen  Bergen,  the 
ancestor  of  the  Bergen  family,  with  seven  children.  She  afterwards  married  Theunis  Gysbert 
Bogaert,  the  ancestor  of  the  Bogaert  family  in  this  country.  Some  travelers  in  167!)  visited 
Catelina  Trico,  who  lived  "  in  a  little  house  by  herself,  with  a  garden  and  other  conveniences," 
and  evidently  regarded  her  as  a  distinguished  historical  personage.  Long  Inland  H.  S. 
Coll.,  Vol.  I.  342.  It  will  be  observed,  that  -the  statement  calling  her  daughter  Sarah  "the 
first-bora  Christian  daughter  in  New  Netherland,"  does  not  conflict  with  the  statement  of 
JeanVigne,  that  he  was  the  first  male  born  of  European  parents  in  this  province. 

1  Bradford's  correspondence  in  N.  Y.  H.  S.  Coll.,  I.  (Second  Series),  355,  S60.  Baillia's 
Mem.  of  Plymouth,  I.  146,  147.  Prince,  N.  E.  Chron.,  249.  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  HI.  51. 
Morton's  Memorial,  133.  Moulton,  378, 


58 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


the  more  stately  embassies  are  at  the  present  time.  The  bark  Nassau 
was  brushed  up  and  freighted  with  a  few  articles  of  trade,  and  manned  by 
a  retinue  of  soldiers  and  trumpeters.  Early  in  October  he  arrived 
°  r'  at  Manomet,  the  advanced  post  of  the  English  colony,  near  an 
Indian  village  at  the  head  of  Buzzard's  Bay,  the  site  of  the  present  village 
of  Monument,  in  the  town  of  Sandwich,  and  from  there  he  dispatched 
a  courier  to  Plymouth  to  announce  his  presence  in  the  neighborhood. 
Governor  Bradford  immediately  sent  a  boat  for  him  and  his  cargo,  and  he 
was  escorted  with  many  and  imposing  ceremonies  to  the  town.1  He  was 
pleasantly  entertained  for  several  days,  and  sold  a  large  quantity  of  Indian 
corn,  which  enabled  the  English  to  better  carry  on  their  lucrative  trade 
with  the  natives.  He  established  a  commercial  relation,  which,  but  for 
the  subsequent  petty  quarrels,  might  have  been  mutually  advantageous 
to  the  two  lone  European  colonies.  It  is  interesting  to  know  that  the 
whole  tonnage  of  New  England  then  consisted  of  "  a  bass-boat,  shal- 
lop, and  pinnace."  2 

When  he  returned  to  Manhattan,  De  Basiers  brought  another  letter 
from  Bradford  to  Minuet,  in  which,  saving  always  their  allegiance  to  the 
king  of  England,  he  pledged  the  performance  by  his  colony  of  all  good 
offices  toward  the  Dutch  in  New  Netherland. 

Just  about  that  time,  the  commander  at  Fort  Orange  committed  a  ter- 
rible blunder,  whereby  he  not  only  lost  his  own  life,  but  imperiled  the 
lives  of  all  the  settlers  in  that  region.  He  joined  a  party  of  Mohicans 
on  the  war-path  against  the  Mohawks,  which  was  in  disobedience  of 
orders,  for  the  Dutch  were  pledged  to  principles  of  neutrality  in  reference 
to  all  differences  among  the  Indian  tribes.  In  the  battle  which  fol- 
lowed he  was  killed,  also  three  of  his  men. 

His  folly  was  particularly  felt  in  the  sense  of  insecurity  which 
it  threw  over  the  colony ;  and  Minuet,  although  he  succeeded 
in  restoring  good  feeling  with  the  Mohawks,  deemed  concentration  a 
necessary  policy,  and  recalled  the  families  from  the  exposed  points,  Fort 
Orange,  Fort  Nassau,  and  Verhulsten  Island,  to  Manhattan,  where  they 
could  be  better  protected  in  their  interests  as  well  as  their  homes.  Six- 
teen soldiers  only  were  left  at  Fort  Orange,  and  the  traffic  to  the  South 
River  was  limited  to  the  voyages  of  one  small  yacht  for  the  present. 

The  crop  of  furs  in  1628,  amounting  to  four  ship-loads,  yielded  fifty- 
six  thousand  guilders ;  and  two  cargoes  of  ship-timber  from  Manhattan 

1  Winslow's  account  in  Young's  Chronicles,  306.  Prince,  208.  Book  of  Court  Orders,  Vol. 
III.  82.  Pilgrim  Memorials,  122-124. 

3  De  Rasters'  Letter,  350.    Bradford's  Letter  Book,  364. 


THE  CHARTER  OF  FREEDOMS  AND  EXEMPTIONS.  59 


Island  sold  at  Amsterdam  for  sixty-one  thousand  guilders.  But,  after  all, 
the  New  Netherland  colony  was  not  self-supporting.  None  of  the  soil 
was  reclaimed,  save  what  supplied  the  wants  of  a  few  farmers  and  their 
families ;  and  the  only  exports  were  the  spontaneous  productions  of  the 
forest.  The  mode  of  life  pursued  by  the  people  was  irregular,  and  the 
current  expenses  of  the  plantation  more  than  the  receipts.  It  was  an 
unpalatable  fact.  The  company  had  won  brilliant  victories  by  sea,  and 
infatuating  wealth  had  poured  into  its  treasury.  Between  1626  and 
1628,  it  had  captured  one  hundred  and  four  Spanish  prizes.  The  nation 
shared  in  the  glory,  but  the  company  alone  received  the  spoils  of  this 
marvelous  war.  Its  dividends  were  advanced  suddenly  to  fifty  per  cent. 
Insignificant  indeed,  in  comparison,  were  the  returns  from  New  Nether- 
land.  The  very  subject  of  North  American  trade  became  painfully  unin- 
teresting, and  the  directors  avoided  allusions  to  it  whenever  possible. 
Finally,  at  one  of  their  meetings  a  plan  was  introduced  for  a  systematic 
and  extended  colonization  of  the  whole  province  of  New  Netherland. 
It  was  discussed  at  several  subsequent  meetings,  and  resulted  in  a 
selfish  commercial  scheme,  with  a  view  to  drawing  private  capitalists  into 
the  company's  ventures. 

The  scheme  was  a  charter  of  Freedoms  and  Exemptions,  ma-  1629. 
tured  and  adopted  by  the  company,  and  confirmed  by  the  States-  Jme7. 
General,  on  the  7th  of  June,  1627.    It  comprised  thirty-one  important 
articles,  and  was  remarkable  for  being- 
tinctured  with  the  peculiar  social 
ideas  of  that  era,  and  of  promising 
to  transfer  to  America  the  most  ob- 
jectionable features  of  the  modern 
feudalism  of  Continental  Europe. 

It  offered  to  any  member  of  the 
West  India  Company  who  should 
found  a  colony  of  fifty  adults  in  any 
portion  of  New  Netherland,  —  except 
Manhattan  Island,  which  was  re- 
served to  the  company,  —  and  satisfy 
the  Indians  for  a  tract  of  land  not 
exceeding  sixteen  miles  on  one  side 
or  eight  miles  on  both  sides  of  a 
navigable  river,  and  extending  inland 
indefinitely,  the  title  of  Patroon,  or 
feudal  chief  of  such  colony  or  territory ;  and  the  colonists  under  such 
patroonships  were  to  be  for  ten  years  entirely  free  from  taxation,  but  would 
4 


60 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


be  bound  to  the  patroon  in  almost  absolute  servitude.  The  chief  him- 
self would  be  invested  with  full  property  rights,  and  granted  freedom  in 
trade,  —  except  furs,  which  the  company  reserved  to  themselves,  —  with 
sundry  and  various  limitations,  restrictions,  and  duties,  and  the  privilege 
of  hunting  and  fishing  within  his  own  domain.  The  company  prohibited 
manufactures  under  penalty  of  the  law,  but  promised  protection  to  tbe 
colonists  and  defence  against  all  enemies ;  the  completion  of  a  suitable 
citadel  on  Manhattan  Island ;  and  a  supply  of  negro  servants.  Each 
patroon  was  required  to  provide,  immediately,  for  the  support  of  a  min- 
ister and  schoolmaster,  and  to  make  an  annual  return  of  the  condition  of 
his  colony  to  the  local  authorities  at  Manhattan,  for  transmission  to  the 
company.  In  all  its  provisions,  the  charter  carefully  recognized  the  com- 
mercial monopoly  and  political  supremacy  of  the  West  India  Company, 
and  was  in  harmony  with  the  aristocratic  sentiment  which  grew  with  the 
acquisition  of  wealth  in  Holland.  Almost  all  the  real  estate  there,  out- 
side the  walls  of  the  towns,  was  in  possession  of  old  families  of  the 
nobility,  who  were  unwilling  to  part  with  any  portion  of  it.  In  tbe 
wonderful  new  country  it  was  very  apparent  that  a  man  might  become 
an  extensive  landholder  and  a  person  of  importance  with  compara- 
tive ease.  While  the  company  thus  made  great  show  of  caring  for  the 
rights  of  the  aboriginal  owners,  and  held  out  inducements  of  labor,  capi- 
tal, religion,  and  education,  it  selfishly  scattered  the  seeds  of  slavery  and 
aristocracy. 

As  might  have  been  expected,  there  were  men  among  the  directors 
of  the  company  who  stood  ready  to  seize  upon  the  choicest  localities, 
to  the  discouragement  of  independent  emigrants  for  whom  the  charter 
was  intended.  Samuel  Godyn  and  Samuel  Blommaert,  who  had  had 
agents  prospecting  for  months,  purchased  through  them  a  beautiful  tract 
of  land  extending  from  Cape  Henlopen  thirty-two  miles  up  the  west 
shore  of  Delaware  Bay,  and  opposite  sixteen  miles  square,  including 
1630.  Cape  May.  They  called  it  Swaanendael.  The  title  v^as  attested 
June,  by  Governor  Minuet  and  his  council  at  Manhattan,  July  15,  1630, 
and  is  the  only  instrument  in  existence  which  bears  the  original  signa- 
ture of  that  august  body.1  The  purchase  was  actually  effected  on  the 
1st  day  of  June,  1629,  seven  days  l>efore  the  bill  became  a  law,  and  was 
registered  at  Manhattan  on  the  19th  of  the  same  month. 

Kilien  Van  Rensselaer  was  one  of  the  oldest  and  wealthiest  of  the 
directors.    He  had  been  for  many  years  a  pearl  and  diamond  merchant, 

1  This  original  patent  was  found  by  Mr.  Rrodhead  in  the  West  India  House,  at  Amster- 
dam, in  1841,  and  is  now  deposited  in  the  secretary's  office  at  Albany.  Tt  has  the  only  sig- 
natures known  to  exist  of  Minuet  and  his  council.    Brodhcad,  I.  200.  O'Callagkan,  I.  122. 


K1L1AEN  VAN  RENSSELAER. 


61 


and  had  taken  a  very  active  part  in  the  formation  of  the  West  India 
Company.  Several  of  his  own  vessels  had  been  placed  at  the  disposal 
of  the  corporation,  and  he  had  twice  advanced  money  to  save  its  credit, 
and  hasten  its  final  organization.  He  was  descended  from  a  long  line  of 
honorable  ancestors,  and  was  himself  an  educated  and  refined  gentle- 
man of  the  old  school.  Early  in  life  he  had  married  Hellegonda  Van 
Bylet,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Johannes.  In  1627,  he  was  married 
the  second  time,  to  Anna  Van  Wely,  and  by  her  he  had  four  sons  and 
four  daughters.1  In  the  mean  time  he  had  sent  an  agent  to  New 
Netherland,  and  traded  with  the  Indians  for  land  upon  the  west  side 
of  the  Hudson  River,  from  about  twelve  miles  south  of  Albany  to 
Smack's  Island,  "stretching  two  days  into  the  interior."  Soon  after, 
he  concluded  the  purchase  of  all  the  land  on  the  east  side  of  the  same 
river,  both  north  and  south  of  Fort  Orange,  and  "  far  into  the  wilderness." 
This  great  feudal  estate  included  the  entire  territory  comprised  in  the 
present  counties  of  Albany,  Columbia,  and  Rensselaer,  and  was  named 
Rensselaerswick.  Van  Rensselaer  himself  remained  in  Holland,  but 
managed  his  affairs  through  a  well-chosen  director.  His  sons  took  up 
their  abode  here  after  his  death,  and  were  successive  lords  of  the 
colony.  Jeremias  2  married  Maria,  daughter  of  Oloff  S.  Van  Cortlandt ; 
and  Nicolaus  married  Alida  Schuyler.  The  Van  Rensselaer  name  has 
been  handed  down  to  us  through  every  generation  of  men  who  have 
since  had  their  day  in  New  York,  and  is  interwoven  with  all  that  is 
historical  in  city  and  State.  The  family  brought  with  them  the  social 
distinctions  of  the  Fatherland.  They  brought  massive  and  elaborately 
carved  furniture,  and  large  quantities  of  silver-plate  which  bore  the 
family  arms.    They  brought  portraits  of  their  ancestors,  executed  in  a 

1  The  names  of  the  children  of  Kiliaen  Van  Rensselaer  were  :  1st,  Johannes,  who  married 
his  cousin,  Elizabeth  Van  Twiller  ;  2d,  Maria  ;  3d,  Jeremias,  who  married  Maria  Van  Cortlandt ; 
4th,  Hellegonda  ;  5th,  Jan  Baptist,  who  married  his  cousin,  Susan  Van  Wely  ;  6th,  Elenora  ; 
7th,  Susan,  who  married  Jan  De  Lacourt ;  8th,  Nicolaus,  who  married  Alida  Schuyler  ; 
9th,  Rickert,  who  married  Anna  Van  Beaumont. 

4  Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer  and  Maria  Van  Cortlandt  had  a  daughter  Anna,  who  mar- 
ried her  cousin,  Kiliaen,  the  son  of  Johannes  Van  Rensselaer.  He  died  shortly  after, 
and  she  was  married  the  second  time  to  William  Nicolls  of  New  York.  Her  daughter 
Mary,  in  1713,  became  the  wife  of  Robert  Watts,  the  ancestor  of  the  Watts  family  in  this 
country.  Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer  and  Maria  Van  Cortlandt  had  also  a  son  Kiliaen, 
who  married  his  cousin,  Maria  Van  Cortlandt,  and  who  died  in  1701,  leaving  sons,  Jere- 
mias and  Stephen,  successive  lords  of  the  manor.  Stephen  died  1747,  and  left  a  son 
Stephen,  who  married  Catharine  Livingston,  and  died  in  1769.  The  son  of  this  last 
was  General  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  who  was  born  in  1764,  and  who  was  lieutenant-gov- 
ernor of  New  York  in  1795  and  1798.  His  first  wife  was  Margaret  Schuyler,  and  their  son 
Stephen  was  the  late  patroon.  His  second  wife  was  Cornelia  Patterson,  and  they  had  nine 
children.    The  other  branches  of  the  Van  Rensselaer  family  we  shall  refer  to  hereafter. 


62 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


superior  manner  for  the  period,  and  many  original  paintings.  A  manor- 
bouse  was  erected,  which  in  its  internal  arrangement  and  finish  was 
very  similar  to  the  Holland  residence  of  the  Van  Rensselaers.  There 
the  lord  resided  among  his  tenantry,  and  maintained  the  same  dignity 
and  authority  as  the  landed  lords  in  Europe. 


About  the  same  time  that  Rensselaerswick  was  founded,  Michael  Pauw 
purchased  Staten  Island,  Hobokeu,  Paulus  Hook,  and  the  Jersey  shore 
opposite  Manhattan,  extending  inland  a  great  distance.  He  gave  it  the 
pleasant-sounding  name  of  Pavonia.  He  planted  a  little  colony,  which 
was  called  The  Commune,  and  the  point  where  they  first  settled  is  com- 
memorated by  the  present  romantic  little  village  of  Communipauw. 

Thus  three  of  the  most  important  localities  in  the  province  were  art- 
fully secured  before  the  rest  of  the  company  were  fairly  awake.  The 
storm  of  discontent  which  arose  has  scarcely  been  equalled  in  the  history 
of  private  corporations.  The  new  patroons  were  accused  of  fraud  and 
double-dealing,  and  the  quarrel  assumed  alarming  proportions.  There  was 
an  indignant  denial  of  any  endeavor  to  take  an  unfair  advantage  of  the 
spirit  of  the  charter,  and,  as  a  process  of  conciliation,  other  members  of  the 
company  were  taken  into  partnership  in  the  speculation.  Van  Rensselaer 
divided  his  purchase  into  five  shares,  retaining  two  for  himself.  He  sold 
one  to  Johu  De  Laet,  the  historian,  .and  two  to  Samuel  Bloinniaert. 
Godyu  and  Bloinniaert  divided  their  Delaware  property  with  Van  Rens- 
selaer, De  Laet,  and  Captain  David  Pietersen  De  Vries.  The  latter  had 
just  returned  from  a  three-years'  voyage  to  the  East  Indies,  where  he  had 
been  engaged  in  several  notable  maritime  enterprises.  By  request  of  the 
new  firm,  he  took  charge  of  an  expedition  to  the  Delaware,  conveying 


Van  Rensselaer  Manor  House  in  1874. 


Van  Rensselaer  had  pe- 
culiar facilities  for  peopling 
his  new  dominion,  and  sent 
out  his  own  ships  with  la- 
borers and  emigrants  and 
implements  of  husbandry. 
There  was  system  in  his 
management,  and  there  was 
order  and  method  in  the  en- 
tire regulation  of  the  colony 
itself.  Hence  it  was  pros- 
perous, while  the  rest  of  the 
province  was  disturbed  by 
faction,  inefficient  rulers, 
and  Indian  wars. 


THE  GREAT  SHIP. 


63 


thither  thirty  settlers,  with  all  the  necessaries  for  the  cultivation  of  tobacco 
and  grain.    He  landed  them,  directed  in  the  work  of  preparing 
their  fields,  and  not  until  their  first  seed  was  sown  did  he  turn 
his  face  again  to  Holland.    It  was  the  purpose  of  these  patroons  to  prose- 
cute the  whale-fishery  on  the  Delaware  coast,  copying  after  the  French, 
who  had  made  the  business  so  lucrative  in  a  more  northern  latitude. 

This  matter  of  feudal  estates  took  up  the  whole  attention  of  the  com- 
pany for  a  time.  Manhattan  Island  was  scarcely  noticed,  and  improve- 
ments were  entirely  ignored.  The  houses  which  were  standing  were 
only  sufficient  for  the  actual  accommodation  of  the  people ;  and,  as  we 
have  seen,  they  were  exceedingly  simple  in  construction.  The  best  of 
them  were  of  hewn  plank,  roofed  with  reeds.  Many  were  built  entirely 
of  bark.  But  few  trees  as  yet  were  cut  away,  except  for  shipment  to 
Holland.  Not  a  ridge  was  smoothed  down,  and  only  a  few  little  patches 
of  earth  had  been  brought  under  cultivation.  The  fur-trade  absorbed 
what  there  was  of  energy  and  industry. 

It  was  soon  found  that  the  patroons  were  trading  with  the  Indians 
independently  of  the  corporation.  Another  quarrel  ensued,  this  time 
more  immediately  among  the  directors  of  the  Amsterdam  Chamber.  It 
was  finally  referred  to  the  College  of  the  XIX.  The  patroons  were  self- 
willed  and  self-opinionated.  They  had  enormous  interests  at  stake,  and 
they  persisted  in  their  right  to  the  fur  traffic,  under  a  too  liberal  con- 
struction of  the  charter.  Able  lawyers  were  employed  on  both  sides, 
and  the  dispute  became  so  violent  that  for  a  long  time  bloodshed  was 
apprehended. 

Meanwhile,  two  Belgian  ship-builders  visited  Manhattan  and  tried  their 
skill  in  converting  some  of  the  fine  timber  into  an  immense  ship.  Minuet 
encouraged  them,  and  supplied  them  from  the  company's  funds.  They 
accomplished  the  undertaking ;  and  a  vessel  of  eight  hundred  tons'  burden, 
which  carried  thirty  guns,  was  launched  in  New  York  Bay.  It  proved 
before  it  was  finished  more  costly  than  had  been  expected ;  and  when  the 
bills  came  before  the  directors  of  the  company  in  Holland,  the  whole 
proceeding  was  severely  criticised.  The  States-General  regarded  it  as  a 
sample  of  the  bad  management  of  the  corporation.  The  shareholders 
grumbled  because  they  were  obliged  to  help  pay  for  such  an  exhibi- 
tion of  folly.  The  press  censured  the  Amsterdam  Chamber  in  un- 
sparing terms ;  and  the  people  talked  about  the  ship  in  their  work- 
shops and  stores,  and  speculated  upon  the  wonderful  trees  in  America. 
It  was  full  two  hundred  years,  however,  before  another  vessel  of 
such  mammoth  proportions  was  built  in  this  country.  The  fame  of 
this  extraordinary  naval  architecture  was,  as  a  matter  of  course,  car- 


64 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


vied  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  and  excited  the  envy  of  all  the  Euro- 
pean powers.  And  it  paved  the  way  for  the  States-General  to  enter 
into  a  rigid  examination  of  the  affairs  of  the  West  India  Company. 
They  decided  against  the  patroons,  who  were  accused  of  being  vastly 
more  interested  in  filling  their  coffers  with  the  proceeds  of  private  trade 
with  the  Indians,  to  which  they  were  not  entitled,  than  in  the  proper 
colonization  of  the  country.  Minuet  was  suspected  of  working  in  their 
interests,  as  he  had  officially  ratified  their  purchases ;  and  the  company 
was  advised  to  recall  him.  It  was  accordingly  done.  Conrad  Notleman 
was  appointed  sheriff  of  New  Netherland,  and  sent  over  to  supersede 
Lauipo  ;  he  was  intrusted  with  letters,  instructing  Minuet  to  report  him- 
self immediately  in  Holland. 

1633.  Minuet  left  his  government  in  the  hands  of  his  council,  of 
March  19.  which  Jan  Van  Remund  was  secretary,  De  Easiers  having  fallen 
into  disgrace  with  the  governor  some  time  before.  He  sailed  in 
the  Eendragt,  March  19,  1632.  Lampo  and  a  number  of  discontented 
families  were  also  passengers.  They  were  driven  into  Plymouth,  Eng- 
land, by  a  terrible  storm,  and  were  detained  there  on  a  charge  of  illegally 
trading  in  King  Charles's  dominions. 

Minuet  promptly  communicated  the  intelligence  to  the  com- 

Aprii  8.  p{m^  au(j  aiso  to  j.jie  Dut,ch  minister  at  Whitehall.    The  latter 

hastened  to  Newmarket,  where  the  king  and  his  court  were  at  that 
moment,  obtained  audience  of  his  Majesty,  and  remonstrated  earnestly 
against  the  injustice  of  the  whole  proceeding,  asking  for  an  order  for  the 
Eendragt's  immediate  release.  Charles  declined  giving  it,  on  the  ground 
that  he  "  was  not  quite  sure  what  his  rights  were." 

The  main  features  of  the  minister's  interview  with  the  king  were  soon 
laid  before  the  States-General.  It  provoked  another  spirited  correspond- 
ence between  the  two  nations.  The  Dutch  statesmen  claimed  that  they 
had  discovered  the  Hudson  River  in  1609;  that  some  of  their  people 
had  returned  there  in  1610;  that  a  specific  trading  charter  had  been 
granted  in  1614;  that  a  fort  and  garrison  had  been  maintained  there 
until  the  formation,  in  1623,  of  the  West  India  Company,  which  had 
since  occupied  the  country  ;  and  great  stress  was  laid  upon  the  pur- 
chase of  Hie  land  from  its  aboriginal  owners. 

The  English  based  their  claims  upon  the  discovery  of  America'by 
May6'  Cabot,  and  upon  the  patents  granted  by  James  I.  They  declared 
that  the  Indians  were  not  bona  fide  possessors  of  the  soil,  and  that  even  if 
they  were,  they  could  not  give  a  legal  title,  unless  all  of  them  jointly 
contracted  with  the  purchaser.  They  kindly  offered  to  allow  the  Dutch 
In  remain  in  New  Netherland  if  they  would  submit  themselves  to  the 


WRANGLING  AMONG  THE  DIRECTORS. 


65 


English  government,  otherwise  they  would  not  be  permitted  "  to  encroach 
upon  a  colony  of  such  importance  as  New  England." 

Sir  John  Coke  was  the  author  of  most  of  the  English  state 

May  27 

papers  relating  to  this  subject ;  but  in  June  of  the  same  year,  Sir 
Francis  Windebanke  was  appointed  Secretary  of  State.  It  was  hardly 
considered  advisable  to  embarrass  the  foreign  relations  of  a  country, 
when  its  own  private  affairs  were  already  sufficiently  complicated  :  hence 
Charles  contented  himself  with  the  assumption  of  superiority,  and  did  not 
press  the  question  for  a  settlement.  In  the  course  of  a  few  weeks  the 
Lord  Treasurer  quietly  released  the  Eendragt. 

The  interference  of  the  States-General  did  not  settle  the  unfortunate 
disputes  among  the  directors  of  the  company.  Upon  Minuet's  arrival  iu 
Holland,  commissaries  were  dispatched  to  New  Netherland  to  post  in 
every  settlement  the  company's  proclamation,  forbidding  any  person, 
whether  patroon  or  vassal,  to  deal  in  sewan,  peltries,  or  maize.  The  large 
appropriations  of  territory  were  bad  enough,  but  not  half  so  exasperating 
as  individual  interference  in  a  trade  which  was  the  company's  only  source 
of  profit,  and  through  which  alone  it  could  hope  to  recompense  itself  for 
the  expenditure  already  occasioned  by  the  unprofitable  province  of  New 
Netherland.  "  But,"  said  Van  Rensselaer,  "  we  patroons  are  privileged, 
not  private  persons."  Again  and  again  were  the  various  clauses  in  the 
charter  analyzed  and  interpreted.  It  was  a  knotty  tangle  ;  and  amidst  the 
wrangling  over  the  water,  the  population  of  Manhattan  Island  diminished 
rather  than  increased. 


Purchase  of  Manhattan  Island. 


GG 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


CHAPTER  V. 

1633-1638. 
GOVERNOR  VAN  TWILLER. 

Wouter  Van  Twiller.  —  Captain  De  Vries. — Van  Twiller  and  the  English 
Vessel. — Captain  De  Vries  and  the  Governor. — The  First  Minister. — The 
Fikst  Church  and  Parsonage. — The  First  Schoolmaster.  —  Buildings  and  Im- 
provements.—  New  Amsterdam. — Beginnings  of  Hartford. — Troubles  with 
the  English. — Quarrels  with  the  Patroons. — Quarrels  with  the  English. — 
Fort  Amsterdam.  —  Excess  and  Irregularities.  —  Purchase  of  Lands. — Gov- 
ernor Van  Twiller's  Recall. 


1633. 


THE  Amsterdam  Chamber,  Laving  at  last,  as  was  believed,  obtained 
mastery  over  the  patroons,  decided  to  establish  forts  and  mills  in 
New  Netherland,  in  order  to  give  w  ider  scope  to  their  mercantile  oper- 
ations. Despite  his  private  interests,  Van  Rensselaer  had  great 
influence  among  the  directors,  and  succeeded  in  procuring  the 
appointment  of  Wouter  Van  Twiller,  one  of  his  relations  by  marriage, 
to  the  command  of  the  colony.  It  was  a  politic  measure  as  far  as  he  was 
concerned ;  and  it  was  a  stupid  concession  on  the  part  of  the  company. 

Van  Twiller  had  been 
a  clerk  in  the  com- 
pany's warehouse  at 
Amsterdam  for  nearly 
five  years,  and  in  the 
mean  time  had  made 
two  voyages  to  the 
Hudson  River  in  the 
employ  of  Van  liens- 
Autograph  of  van  Twiiier.  selaer,  who  had  select- 
ed him  as  a  fit  person  to  attend  to  the  shipment  of  cattle  to  Rensselaers- 
wick.  Van  Twiller  claimed  to  know  all  about  affairs  in  New  Netherland. 
He  was  in  point  of  fact  a  shrewd  trader;  but  he  had  no  practical  knowledge 
of  government,  and  was  ill-qualified  to  manage  the  general  concerns  of  a 
remote  province,  shaken  with  internal  jealousies  and  threatened  with  out- 


WOUTER  VAN  TWILLER. 


67 


side  aggressions.  He  was  a  short  stout  man,  with  close-cropped  sandy  hair, 
small  pale-blue  eyes  set  deep  in  a  full  round  face,  and  an  uncertain  mouth. 
He  was  good-natured  and  kind-hearted,  but  irresolute,  easily  swayed  by 
stronger  wills,  narrow-minded,  slow  of  thought,  word,  and  deed,  and 
grievously  deficient  in  his  understanding  of  men  and  their  motives. 

He  arrived  at  Manhattan  early  in  the  spring.  His  vessel,  the  Zoitiberg, 
captured  a  Spanish  caravela  during  the  voyage,  and  anchored  it  safely  in 
front  of  Manhattan  Island.  The  new  governor  was  attended  by  one  hun- 
dred and  four  soldiers,  the  first  military  force  which  landed  upon  our 
shores.  His  advent  was  hailed  with  cheers  and  enthusiasm ;  and  with 
much  wine  and  ceremony  he  was  ushered  into  authority.  His  council 
consisted  of  Jacob  Hansen  Hesse,  Martin  Gerritsen,  Andries  Hudde, 
and  Jacques  Bentyn.  They  were  men  of  comprehensive  minds,  who 
had  been  reared  to  habits  of  industry  in  Holland,  and  were  able  to 
render  material  assistance  to  the  heavy,  indolent  Van  Twiller.  The 
secretary  of  the  colony,  Van  Remund,  was  intelligent,  and  also  helped 
towards  smoothing  the  pathway  of  that  dull-witted  ruler  and  inexperi- 
enced traveler  on  the  road  to  fame.  Cornells  Van  Tienhoven,  a  bright 
young  man  of  good  education,  was  appointed  book-keeper  of  monthly 
wages,  and  Michael  Paulusen  was  made  commissary  of  Pauw's  colony 
at  Pavonia.    "Paulus  Hook,  now  Jersey  City,  derived  its  name  from  him. 

A  few  days  after  the  arrival  of  Van  Twiller  at  Manhattan,  a 

J  April  16. 

yacht  was  seen  coming  into  the  bay ;  and  ere  the  sun  set  Captain 
De  Vries  announced  himself  at  the  fort.  He  had  left  Holland  some  time 
before  the  sailing  of  the  Zoutberrj,  as  early  as  November,  and  when  he  had 
reached  Swaanendael,  found  the  little  post  destroyed,  and  the  ground 
bestrewed  with  the  heads  and  bones  of  his  murdered  people.  After 
various  stratagems,  he  succeeded  in  persuading  some  of  the  Indians  into 
coming  on  board  his  vessel,  and  through  attractive  presents  drew  from 
them  the  story  of  a  terrible  tragedy.  The  Dutch,  in  keeping  with  their 
time-honored  customs,  had  erected  a  pillar,  and  fastened  to  it  a  piece  of 
tin,  upon  which  was  inscribed  the  arms  of  Holland.  An  Indian  chief, 
thinking  it  no  harm,  had  stolen  the  shining  metal  to  make  himself  a 
tobacco-pouch.  Hossett,  the  commander  of  the  post,  was  indiscreet 
enough  to  express  great  indignation,  and  thereupon  some  Indians  who 
were  particularly  attached  to  him  killed  the  chief  who  had  confiscated 
the  tin.  Hossett  rebuked  them  for  committing  such  a  crime,  and  they 
went  away.  But  a  few  days  afterwards  the  friends  of  the  murdered 
chieftain  resolved  to  be  revenged,  and,  coming  suddenly  upon  the  men  as 
they  were  at  work  in  the  tobacco-fields,  massacred  them  all.  De  Vries 
wisely  treated  with  the  same  Indians  for  peace;  and  when  they  were 


68 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


at  last  induced  to  bring  with  them  their  chief,  he  formed  a  circle 
after  their  own  fashion,  and  gave  them  blankets,  bullets,  axes,  and 
trinkets,  with  which  they  were  greatly  pleased,  and  they  went  away 
promising  that  he  should  not  be  harmed. 

He  then  tried  to  establish  a  whale-fishery,  but  after  spending 
MarchU*some  time  in  fruitless  efforts,  decided  that  it  would  not  prove 
paying  business  there,  and  sailed  to  the  James  River,  where  he  was  cour- 


Portrait  of  De  Vries. 


teously  received  by  Sir  John  Harvey,  the  governor  of  Virginia.  He  re- 
mained several  days,  greatly  admiring  the  country,  which  was  already 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  with  well-stocked  gardens,  and  Prov- 
ence roses,  apple,  cherry,  pear,  and  peach  trees  about  the  houses. 


CAPTAIN  DE  VRIES. 


69 


Harvey,  with  genial  frankness,  produced  a  map,  and  tried  to  convince 
De  Vries  that  the  whole  country  in  the  region  of  Swaanendael  was  the 
property  of  the  king  of  England;  but  he  was  very  amiably  disposed 
towards  the  Dutch  on  the  North  River,  notwithstanding,  and  a  pleasant 
intercourse  was  opened  between  the  two  colonies. 

Captain  De  Vries  was  a  bronzed,  weather-beaten  sailor  of  the  old 
school,  without  family  ties,  who  had  seen  the  world  from  many  points 
of  observation,  and  had  been  on  terms  of  intimacy  with  the  most  culti- 
vated men  and  the  rudest  barbarians.  He  was  tall,  muscular,  and  hard- 
visaged,  but  soft-voiced  as  a  woman,  except  when  aroused  by  passion. 
He  was  quick  of  perception,  with  great  power  of  will,  and  rarely  ever 
erred  in  judgment.  He  was  the  guest  of  Van  Twiller  while  stopping  at 
Manhattan,  and  a  more  striking  contrast  than  the  two  men  presented 
could  hardly  be  imagined. 

The  second  day  after  his  arrival,  the  English  ship  William 

.  April  18. 

anchored  in  the  bay  ;  and  it  was  soon  discovered  that  Eelkins,  who 
had  been  dismissed  from  Fort  Orange  for  misconduct  some  years  before, 
was  on  board  as  supercargo.  The  governor  and  several  of  his  officers 
were  invited  to  dine  on  the  vessel,  and  were  accompanied  by  Captain  De 
Vries.  The  immoderate  use  of  wine  and  consequent  disorder  astonished 
the  English  sailors,  who  were  under  strict  discipline,  and  measured  the 
authority  of  the  feeble  Dutch  governor  accordingly.  They  stayed  some 
days  in  front  of  the  little  town,  and  then  announced  their  intention  of 
sailing  to  Fort  Orange,  and  trading  with  the  Indians,  with  whom  Eelkins 
was  well  acquainted.  Van  Twiller  was  startled  as  from  a  dream,  and 
issued  orders  to  the  contrary ;  but  the  William  quietly  weighed  anchor, 
and  went  on  her  way  in  the  most  defiant  manner.  We  clip  the  following 
from  the  deposition  of  one  of  her  crew,  as  it  best  explains  the  scene  :  — 

"  The  Dutch  there  inhabitinge  send  and  command  all  our  companye  (excepte 
one  boye)  to  come  to  their  forte  where  they  staide  about  twoe  houres,  and  the 
governor  commands  his  gunner  to  make  ready  three  peeces  of  ordnance,  and 
shott  them  off  for  the  Prince  of  Orange  and  sprede  the  Prince's  coloures,  where- 
upon Jacob  Eelekins  the  merchant's  factor  of  the  shippe  the  William  commande 
William  fforde  of  Lymehouse  (the  gunner)  to  goe  abord  the  shippe  and  sprede 
her  coloures  and  shoote  off  theire  peeces  of  ordnance  for  the  king  of  England."1 

Van  Twiller  regarded  the  audacious  movement  with  incredulous  won- 
der. Then  he  ordered  a  barrel  of  wine  to  be  brought  and  opened,  and, 
after  drinking,  waved  his  hat  and  shouted,  "All  those  who  love  the 
Prince  of  Orange  and  me,  emulate  me  in  this,  and  assist  me  in  repelling 
the  violence  of  that  Englishman  ! " 

i  N.  Y.  Coll.  MSS.,  Vol.  I.  74. 


70 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


But  the  Englishman  was  already  out  of  harm's  way,  sailing  up  the 
river,  and  the  crowd  only  laughed  and  rilled  their  glasses,  saying,  they 
"  guessed  they  would  not  trouble  the  English  who  were  their  friends.  As 
for  the  wine,  they  knew  how  to  get  to  the  bottom  of  a  barrel ;  if  there 
were  six  they  could  master  them." 

Captain  De  Vries  walked  up  and  down  in  silent  indignation  while  this 
was  going  on.  But  at  the  governor's  dinner-table,  later  in  the  day,  he 
expressed  his  opinion  of  the  whole  transaction  in  terms  more  earnest 
than  polite.  He  told  Van  Twiller  that  he  had  acted  very  indiscreetly ; 
that  the  Englishman  had  no  commission,  only  a  custom-house  clear- 
ance to  sail  to  New  England,  not  to  New  Netherland  ;  that  if  it  had 
been  his  case  he  should  have  helped  him  to  some  eight-pounders  from 
the  fort,  and  put  a  stop  to  his  going  up  the  river  at  all.  As  it  was,  he 
advised,  most  energetically,  that  the  ship  Zouthcrg  be  sent  to  force  him 
out  of  the  river,  and  teach  him  better  manners. 

The  governor  was  convinced  of  the  wisdom  of  the  counsel, 

April  28.  .  ' 

and,  after  mature  deliberation,  made  a  move  in  the  proper  di- 
rection by  sending  an  armed  force  to  Fort  Orange,  where  Eelkins  had 
pitched  a  tent  and  commenced  a  brisk  trade  with  the  Indians.  The  tent 
was  speedily  folded,  and  the  intruder  conducted  to  his  vessel  and  to 
Manhattan.  The  English  said  :  "  The  Dutch  came  along  with  us  in  their 
shallope,  and  they  sticked  greene  bowes  all  about  her  and  drank  strong 
waters,  and  sounded  their  trumpet  in  a  triumphing  manner  over  us." 

Eelkins  was  obliged  to  disgorge  his  peltries  and  leave  the  harbor,  with 
a  friendly  warning  in  his  ears  never  more  to  attempt  any  interference 
with  Dutch  trade.  Van  Twiller  then  issued  an  order  to  the  effect  that  no 
one  should  sign  any  paper  in  reference  to  the  treatment  which  Eelkins 
had  received. 

^  M  Very  soon  afterward  the  governor,  who  was  sure  to  act  promptly 
on  inopportune  occasions,  attempted  to  vindicate  his  statesman- 
ship at  the  expense  of  De  Vries.  The  latter  had  two  vessels,  one  of 
which  was  a  small  yacht ;  and  before  returning  to  Europe  he  wished  to 
send  it  toward  the  north  on  a  trading  cruise  along  the  coast.  The 
governor  forbade  his  doing  so,  and,  seeing  De  Vries  making  preparations 
in  defiance  of  his  authority,  valiantly  ordered  the  guns  of  the  fort  turned 
upon  him.    De  Vries,  who  tells  the  story,  says  :  — 

"  I  ran  to  the  point  of  land  where  Van  Twiller  stood  with  the  secretary  and 
one  or  two  of  the  council,  and  told  them  it  seemed  to  mo  the  country  was  full 
of  fools  !  If  they  must  fire  at  something,  they  ought  to  have  fired  at  the  English- 
man who  violated  the  rights  of  their  river  against  their  will.  This  caused  them  to 
desist  from  troubling  me  further." 


THE  FIRST  CLERGYMAN. 


71 


The  yacht  sailed,  and  was  soon  winding  her  way  through  the  channel 
of  Hellegat  (or  Hell-Gate,  as  it  is  still  called),  which  in  certain  times  of 
the  tide  indulged  in  all  sorts  of  wild  paroxysms.  Some  go  so  far  as  to 
say  that  the  Dutch  named  it  out  of  sheer  spleen,  because  it  hectored  their 
tub-built  barks  until  the  sailors  were  so  giddy  that  they  solemnly  gave 
the  yawning  gulf  over  to  the  Devil. 

In  the  same  vessel  which  brought  Wouter  Van  Twiller  to  Manhattan, 
Dominie  Bogardus,  the  first  clergyman  of  New  Netherland,  was  a  passen- 
ger. He  was  a  man  of  a  certain  order  of  talent  in  large  measure,  and  was 
honored  for  his  piety.  He  was  large,  graceful,  sinewy,  strong,  with  a  fine, 
broad,  open,  frank  face,  high  cheek-bones,  a  dark  piercing  eye,  and  mouth 
expressive  of  the  very  electricity  of  good-humor,  which  was  partly 
hidden,  however,  by  a  beard  cut  in  the  peculiar  fashion  prescribed  for 
ecclesiastics  during  the  reign  of  Henry  IV.  of  France.  He  was  not  with- 
out prominent  faults.  He  had  a  hot  and  hasty  temper,  was  brusque  in 
his  manner,  and  addicted  to  high  living ;  but  he  was  greatly  superior  in 
both  mind  and  character  to  Van  Twiller,  and  his  sterling  qualities  stood 
forth  in  such  bold  relief,  that  now,  at  the  very  mention  of  his  name, 
a  figure  seems  to  leap  forth  from  the  mist  of  centuries,  instinct  with 
hearty,  vigorous  life.  Fearless  in  the  performance  of  his  own  duties,  he 
never  allowed  any  failure  on  the  part  of  others  to  pass  by  unreproved. 
In  several  instances  the  governors  in  authority  were  severely  castigated 
from  the  sacred  desk. 

He  desired  a  more  convenient  place  for  public  worship  than  the  loft  in 
the  horse-mill ;  and  the  West  India  Company  displayed  their  zeal  for  the 
preservation  of  the  blessings  of  education  and  religion  to  their  infant 
colony  by  building  him  a  church.  It  was  a  plain  wooden  edifice,  of 
a  pattern  similar  to  the  New  England  barn  of  the  present  day,  and  was 
located  on  a  high  point  of  land  fronting  the  East  River,  near  what  is  now 
Pearl  Street,  between  Whitehall  and  Broad.  It  was  a  conspicuous  object 
to  vessels  coming  up  through  the  bay ;  and  English  travelers,  who  were 
accustomed  to  a  different  style  of  architecture,  criticised  it  in  anything 
but  flattering  terms.  But  it  was  satisfactory  to  the  conscientious  and 
devout  worshipers  who  assembled  there  every  week,  and  thought  only  of 
the  eloquent  words  of  their  beloved  dominie ;  and  it  is  to  be  respected  as 
the  first  church  edifice  on  Manhattan  Island. 

Near  it,  and  a  little  to  the  right,  they  built  a  parsonage.  It  was  a  small 
Dutch  cottage,  with  the  gable-end  turned  towards  the  street.  The  front 
door  was  ornamented  with  an  elegant  brass  knocker  brought  from  Hol- 
land. Dominie  Bogardus  had  been  accustomed  not  only  to  the  comforts, 
but  also  to  the  luxuries  of  life,  and  knew  how  to  surround  himself  with 


72 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


much  that  was  pleasing  to  the  eye  and  gratifying  to  the  taste,  even  in 
the  new,  wild  country.  "With  his  own  hands  he  laid  out  and  planted 
a  garden.  And  in  the  fresh  summer  days  pinks  and  tulips  winked  and 
blinked  across  the  graveled  pathways,  coquetting  with  young  vegetables. 
Pretty  vines  clambered  to  the  very  house-top,  and  lilacs  and  roses, 
jessamines  and  syringas,  vied  with  each  other  in  gorgeous  display,  and 
helped  to  render  the  place  for  many  years  the  pride  of  Manhattan,  and 
one  of  the  chief  objects  of  attraction  for  strangers. 

Another  noted  but  far  less  worthy  personage  came  over  in  the 
Zouibcrg,  and  enjoyed  for  several  years  the  distinction  of  being  the  first 
and  only  schoolmaster  in  New  Netherland.  His  name  was  Adam 
Roelandsen.  From  some  cause,  perhaps  because  "people  did  not  speak 
well  of  him,"  he  could  not  make  a  living  at  his  vocation,  and  so  took  in 
washing.  There  is  a  curious  lawsuit  recorded  in  the  old  Dutch  manu- 
scripts, which  shows  that  on  the  20th  of  September,  1638,  Adam  Roe- 
landsen demanded  payment  of  one  Gillis  De  Voocht  for  washing  his 
linen.  The  defendant  made  no  objection  to  the  price  charged,  but  refused 
to  pay  until  the  end  of  the  year.  The  court  decided  that  Roelandsen 
should  wash  for  De  Voocht  during  the  time  agreed  upon,  and  then  collect 
his  money.  He  lived  at  first  quite  out  of  town ;  but  there  is  on  record 
an  agreement  for  building  a  house  on  Stone  Street,  near  the  brewery 
of  Oloff  S.  Van  Cortlandt,  which  was  to  be  thirty  feet  long,  eighteen 
feet  wide,  and  eight  feet  high,  to  be  tight-clapboarded,  and  roofed  with 
reeden  thatch,  have  an  entry  three  feet  wide,  two  doors,  a  pantry,  a  bed- 
stead, a  staircase,  and  a  mantel-piece,  to  be  ready  on  the  1st  of  May, 
1642,  for  which  $140  was  to  be  paid  by  Adam  Roelandsen,  one  half 
when  the  timber  was  on  the  ground,  and  the  other  half  when  the  build- 
ing was  finished. 

That  the  bedstead  should  be  named  in  the  contract  for  building  a  house 
requires  some  explanation.  It  was  called  "  slaap-banck,"  and  was  a 
sleeping-bench,  constructed  like  a  cupboard  in  a  partition,  with  doors 
closing  upon  it  when  unoccupied.  Two  ample  feather-beds  upon  it,  one 
to  sleep  on  and  the  other  for  a  covering,  made  up  in  comfort  what  it 
lacked  in  display,  and  the  whole  arrangement  was  a  great  economy  in 
the  matter  of  room.  A  sleeping-apartment  in  the  small  Dutch  tavern 
of  early  New  Netherland  often  accommodated  several  travelers  at  night, 
while  during  the  day  it  was  only  a  public  room,  quite  unencumbered  in 
appearance.  Schoolmaster  Roelandsen  could  not  have  enjoyed  his  house 
for  a  very  long  period;  for  on  the  17th  of  December,  1646,  he  was  tried 
for  a  very  grave  offence,  found  guilty,  and  sentenced  to  be  "  publicly 
flogged,  and  banished  from  the  country." 


THE  FIRST  WIND-MILLS. 


73 


Van  Twiller  was  not  slow  to  carry  out  the  ideas  of  his  employers  in 
the  matter  of  public  improvements.  The  fort  was  scarcely  anything  more 
than  banks  of  earth,  eight  or  ten  feet  high,  with  decayed  palisades,  and 
without  ditches.  The  Dutch,  as  we  have  seen,  had  already  introduced  ne- 
gro slavery  into  their  colony;  and  a  number  of  recently  imported  Africans 
were  employed,  under  the  superintendence  of  Jacob  Stoffelsen,  to  repair 
this  dilapidated  and  never  particularly  strong  structure.  A  guard-house 
and  barracks  were  also  built  within  the  fort  for  the  newly  arrived  sol- 
diers ;  and  three  expensive  wind-mills  were  erected,  but  injudiciously 
located  so  near  the  other  buildings  that  the  south-wind  was  frequently 
intercepted.  However,  they  gave  the  little  community  something  more 
homelike  to  look  at,  and  were  particularly  acceptable. 

For  himself,  Van  Twiller  built  a  very  substantial  brick  house  within 
the  fort,  by  far  the  most  elaborate  private  dwelling  which  had  as  yet 
been  attempted  in  this  country ;  and  it  served  for  the  residence  of  succes- 
sive chiefs  of  the  colony  during  the  remainder  of  the  Dutch  dynasty. 
Several  smaller  brick  and  frame  dwellings  were  erected  for  the  officers, 
all  being  done  at  the  expense  of  the  company.  A  farm  had  been  laid 
out  some  time  prior  to  this  date,  called  the  Company's  Farm.  It  ex- 
tended north  from  Wall  to  Hudson  Street  (we  can  designate  localities 
only  by  thus  using  the  present  names),  and  upon  this  property  Van 
Twiller  built  a  house,  barn,  brewery,  boat-house,  etc.,  for  his  own  private 
accommodation.  Another  farm  belonging  to  the  company  he  set  apart  as 
a  tobacco  plantation.  He  built  several  small  buildings  for  the  trades- 
people, and  laid  out  a  graveyard  on  the  west  of  Broadway,  above  Morris 
Street.  He  also  built  two  houses  at  Pavonia,  another  at  Fort  Nassau  on 
the  Delaware  River,  and  at  Fort  Orange  one  "  elegant  large  house  with 
balustrades,  and  eight  small  houses."  He  did  not  seem  to  know  where  to 
stop,  having  once  commenced  the  work  of  spending  his  employers'  money. 

But  during  all  this  time  no  independent  farmers  attempted  the  culti- 
vation of  the  soil.  The  agricultural  improvements  lay  entirely  in  the 
hands  of  the  patroons,  and  the  sound  of  the  hammer  was  heard  only 
where  it  was  likely  to  be  advantageous  to  the  special  business  of  the 
West  India  Company.  The  little  town  on  Manhattan  Island  received 
the  name  of  New  Amsterdam,  as  the  governor's  new  broom  swept  over 
it,  and  was  invested  with  the  prerogative  of  "  staple  right,"  by  virtue  of 
which  all  the  merchandise  passing  up  and  down  the  river  was  subject  to 
certain  duties.  This  right  gave  the  post  the  commercial  monopoly  of  the 
whole  province. 

Van  Twiller  displayed  less  and  less  adaptation  to  his  field  of  labor  as 
the  months  wore  on,  and  his  mismanagement  was  the  topic  of  conversa- 


74 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


tion  among  the  intelligent  men  of  the  colony.  Dominie  Bogardus  wrote 
him  several  letters  on  the  subject,  and  is  said  to  have  once 
called  him  a  "  child  of  the  Devil,"  and  threatened  him  with  "  a 
shake  from  the  pulpit."  The  attention  of  the  States-General  was  again 
attracted  to  the  affairs  of  New  Netherland  through  the  complaints  that 
were  entered  by  the  owners  of  the  ship  William,  who  estimated  the 
damages  they  had  sustained  by  reason  of  the  Dutch  on  the  North  River 
at  £  4,000,  and  demanded  payment.  There  was  a  tedious  litigation,  but 
it  never  came  to  a  definite  settlement. 

One  of  the  most  onerous  duties  imposed  upon  the  unlucky  governor  by 
the  West  India  Company  was  to  obtain  a  title  to  the  lands  on  the  banks 
of  the  Fresh  or  Connecticut  River,  which  had  occasionally  been  visited 
by  the  Dutch  for  trading  purposes  ever  since  its  original  discovery  by 
June  8  -A-°-riaen  Block,  in  1614.  They  had  recently  learned  that  it  had 
been  included  in  a  grant  to  the  Earl  of  Warwick  by  the  king  of 
England,  and  deemed  it  politic  to  get  a  formal  Indian  deed  before  War- 
wick's grantees  should  take  any  steps  towards  its  occupation.  Accord- 
ingly, Jacob  Van  Curler  and  six  other  agents  were  sent  to  accomplish  the 
feat,  as  also  to  finish  the  trading-house,  or  redoubt,  which  had  been  pro- 
jected in  1623,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  on  the  site  of  the  present 
city  of  Hartford.  They  had  no  difficulty  in  treating  with  the  Pequods, 
who  had  just  conquered  the  Sequeens,  and  who  stipulated  only  that  the 
ceded  territory  should  always  be  neutral  ground,  where  all  the  tribes 
might  come  to  trade,  and  no  wars  ever  be  waged ;  and  then  the  little 
post  was  completed  and  fortified  with  two  cannons,  and  named  Good 
Hope.1 

Governor  Winthrop  thought  it  well  to  assert  promptly  the  superior 
title  of  the  English  to  the  whole  of  the  Connecticut  valley,  in  a  letter  to 
the  Dutch  authorities,  and  received  in  reply  a  very  courteous  and  respect- 
ful document  from  Governor  Van  Tw  iller,  asking  the  governor  of  Plym- 
outh to  defer  all  his  claims  until  their  respective  governments  should, 
agree  about  the  limits  of  their  territories,  not  presuming  "  two  great 
powers  would  fall  into  contention  about  a  little  portion  of  such  heathen- 
ish countries." 

But  although  the  Massachusetts  authorities  were  not  disposed  to  inter- 
fere, the  Plymouth  people  were  determined  to  establish  a  counter-claim 
to  the  land  where  the  Hollanders  were  now  in  quiet  possession,  under  their 

1  The  ruins  of  the  old  fort  have  been  traced,  by  persons  now  living,  on  the  bank  of  the 
Connecticut  near  the  scat  of  the  Wylls  family.  Several  yellow  Dutch  bricks  used  in  its  con- 
struction are  preserved  by  residents  of  Hartford.  Public  Iiecords  of  Conned kut,  by  J.  H. 
Trumbull.    Holmes,  Am,  Ann.,  I.  219,  note, 


DIFFICULTIES  WITH  THE  ENGLISH. 


lb 


threefold  supposed  right,  by  original  discovery,  constant  visitation,  and 
legal  purchase.  So  they  managed  to  buy  a  tract  of  land,  just  north  of 
Fort  Good  Hope,  of  a  party  of  Indians  who  had  been  driven  out  of 
that  country  by  the  Pequods ;  and  Lieutenant  William  Holmes,  a  land 
surveyor,  with  a  company  of  English  farmers,  accompanied  by  the  ban- 
ished Indians,  proceeded  there  as  rapidly  as  they  could  make  their  way 
through  the  forests.  While  passing  the  Dutch  post  they  were  hailed  by 
Van  Corlear,  who  threatened  to  shoot  them  if  they  did  not  stop  instantly. 
Their  reply  was,  "  Fire !  we  shall  go  on  if  we  die " ;  and  they  went  on, 
and  the  Dutch  did  not  fire.  Arriving  at  the  point  where  Windsor  now 
stands,  they  clapped  up  the  frame  of  a  house  which  they  had  brought 
with  them,  and  landed  their  provisions.  Afterwards  they  "  palisadoed  " 
their  house  about,  and  fortified  themselves  better,  for  they  were  afraid  of 
the  Pequods,  who  were  much  offended  that  they  should  bring  home  and 
restore  the  Sachem  Natuwannute  to  his  rights. 

When  the  news  of  these  proceedings  reached  Van  Twiller,  he  sent  a 
formal  order  to  Holmes  to  depart  forthwith  from  the  lands  on  the  Fresh 
Eiver ;  but  Holmes,  who  had  already  defied  the  guns  of  Fort  Good 
Hope,  was  not  to  be  moved  by  the  power  of  speech.  He  replied  that  he 
was  there  in  the  name  of  the  king  of  England,  and  there  he  should  stay.1 
Van  Twiller  submitted  his  perplexities  to  the  Amsterdam  Chamber,  but, 
before  any  reply  could  reach  him,  serious  difficulties  occurred  between  the 
Connecticut  Eiver  Dutch  colonists  and  the  Pequods,  and  the  latter 
entered  into  an  alliance  with  the  English.  When  the  order  came  from 
Holland  to  send  an  armed  force  to  dislodge  the  intruders,  Van  Twiller 
dispatched  seventy  men  for  the  purpose ;  but  the  Windsor  colony  put 
themselves  on  the  defensive,  and,  fearful  of  Indian  hostilities,  the  Dutch 
thought  it  wise  to  withdraw. 

The  most  important  event  of  the  year  1634  was  an  advantageous 
treaty  of  peace  concluded  with  the  Earitan  Indians,  which,  considering 
the  weak  state  of  the  colony,  was  a  master  stroke  of  policy. 

Meanwhile,  Captain  De  Vries,  upon  his  return  to  Holland,  had  found 
the  directors  of  the  company  still  at  variance  in  regard  to  the  meddling 
with  the  fur-trade  by  the  patroons.  Even  the  few  beaver-skins  which  he 
had  brought  over  in  his  vessel  provoked  high  words,  and,  seeing  the  turn 
events  were  taking,  he  retired  from  his  partnership  on  the  Delaware,  and 
entered  into  a  speculation  with  some  merchants  who  were  trading  on 
the  coast  of  Guiana.  But  he  did  not  hesitate  to  speak  his  mind  freely 
concerning  the  incapacity  of  the  New  Netherland  officials,  and  through 

1  Winthrop  ;  Bradford,  in  Hutch.  Mass.  ;  Prince ;  Trumbull ;  Broadhead  ;  O'Calla- 
ghan.  5 


76 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


his  efforts  and  influence  the  drunken  and  dishonest  sheriff  Notelman  was 
superseded  by  Lubbertus  Van  Dincklagen,  an  educated  lawyer,  and  a  man 
of  great  excellence  of  character. 

1635  Both  the  directors  of  the  company  and  the  patroons  appealed 
to  the  States-General  for  redress  of  grievances  ;  but  the  latter, 
finding  the  question  very  knotty,  prudently  postponed  a  decision.  In 
the  mean  time,  Godyn  had  died,  and  the  remaining  patroons  of  Swaanen- 
dael  commenced  legal  proceedings  against  the  company  for  damages, 
which  they  had  sustained  through  neglect  of  the  company  to  defend  them 
from  inland  and  foreign  wars,  as  was  promised  in  their  charter.  The 
Assembly  of  the  XIX.,  tiring  of  these  continual  discords,  determined 

f  ^     to  purchase  the  rights  and  property  of  the  South  Eiver  patroons ; 

which  they  accordingly  did,  for  the  sum  of  fifteen  thousand  six 
hundred  guilders. 

Early  in  the  following  summer  the  vacant  Fort  Nassau  was  seized  by 
some  Englishmen  from  Point  Comfort,  under  command  of  George  Holmes. 
Thomas  Hall,  one  of  Holmes's  men,  deserted,  and  brought  prompt  intelli- 
gence to  Van  Twiller,  who  sent  an  armed  force,  dislodged  the 

Junel.  6  ° 

party,  and  brought  all  captives  to  New  Amsterdam.    But  he  did 

not  know  what  to  do  with  them,  and  took  counsel  of  De  Vries,  who  was 
again  with  his  vessel  in  New  York  Bay,  and  about  to  sail  for  the 
Chesapeake.    The  result  was  that  they  were  reshipped  "  pack  and 
Sept.  10.        »  for  -pomt  Comfort,  and  thus  ended  the  first  English  ag- 
gression on  the  South  River. 

Success  was  awaiting  the  English  in  the  Connecticut  Valley,  not- 
withstanding the  Hutch  fort  at  Hartford.    In  the  autumn,  the  Pequods 
visited  Boston  and  sold  all  their  right  and  title  to  Governor 

Nov.  24.  .     .  . 

Winthrop.  To  whom  then  did  it  belong  ?  Soon  afterward,  John 
Winthrop,  the  younger,  arrived  from  England,  commissioned  by  Lord 
Warwick's  grantees  as  "  agent  for  the  River  of  the  Connecticut  with  the 
places  adjoining  thereto,"  and  brought  with  him  men  and  ammunition 
and  two  thousand  pounds  in  money  to  begin  a  fortification  at  the  mouth 
of  the  river.  A  few  weeks  later  he  proceeded  to  take  possession  and 
erect  some  buildings  upon  the  very  land  which  the  Dutch  had  purchased 
of  the  Indians  three  years  before,  and  contemptuously  tore  down  the 
arms  of  the  States-General  which  was  affixed  to  a  tree,  painting  a  ridicu- 
lous face  in  its  place.  Van  Twiller,  who  had  lost  all  faith  in  wordy 
protests,  sent  a  sloop  to  dislodge  them ;  but  Winthrop  had  two  pieces  ou 
shore,  and  would  not  suffer  the  Dutch  to  laud.  The  English  named  the 
point  Saybrook,  in  compliment  to  Lord  Say  and  Lord  Brook. 

Fort  Amsterdam  was  completed  this  summer ;  but  although  consider- 


FORT  AMSTERDAM. 


11 


able  expense  had  been  lavished  upon  the  repairs,  if  there  had  been  a 
hostile  attack  from  any  source  whatever,  the  question  of  holding  it  would 
have  been  decided  very  briefly.  The  northwest  bastion  only  was  faced 
with  stone,  and  not  a  fence  surrounded  it  to  keep  off  the  goats  and  other 
animals  which  ran  at  large  through  the  town.  Its  only  redeeming  fea- 
ture was  its  elegant  regularity. 

The  houses  were  small  and  simple  in  their  construction,  and  nearly 
all  of  them  were  located  within  a  few  yards  of  the  quaint  little  citadel. 
Some  were  built  of  rough  stone. 


First  View  of  New  Amsterdam. 


The  above  sketch  of  the  fort  and  the  buildings  around  it  was  originally 
made  by  a  Dutch  officer  in  1635,  and  the  picture  was  engraved  in  Hol- 
land. As  a  work  of  art  it  is  certainly  curious.  It  was  undoubtedly  the 
production  of  a  strong  memory,  and,  even  allowing  for  the  omission  of 
Governor's  Island,  which  is  ingrafted  upon  Long  Island,  and  the  distance 
of  Paulus  Hook,  which  appears  not  more  than  the  length  of  three  of  the 
canoes,  there  is  no  view  extant  which  can  give  us  a  better  idea  of  the 
tender  infancy  of  our  proud  city. 

The  wind-mill  was  near  a  creek  which  is  now  Broad  Street.  The  gib- 
bet, or  whipping-post,  was  close  by  the  water's  edge.  Upon  this  trans- 
gressors were  hoisted  by  the  waist,  and  suspended  such  length  of  time  as 
their  offense  warranted. 

And  yet,  such  was  the  peaceful  disposition  of  the  inhabitants,  that 


78 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


police  regulations  were  almost  entirely  unknown.  Not  even  a  sentinel 
1636.  was  kept  on  duty  at  night.  A  very  ludicrous  incident  occurred 
May  8.  on  the  morning  of  the  8th  of  May,  1636.  It  was  just  at  day- 
break that  the  boom  of  a  strange  gun  shook  the  island  from  center  to 
circumference.  The  people  were  alarmed,  the  soldiers  in  the  fort  rushed 
to  their  posts,  and  the  corpulent  Van  Twiller,  in  a  state  of  mind  not  to 
be  envied,  ran,  holding  a  pistol  in  one  hand  while  he  tried  to  dress  him- 
self with  the  other,  towards  the  shore.  It  was  all  explained  presently. 
Captain  De  Vries  had  returned,  and  after  having  piloted  his  vessel 
through  the  Narrows  in  the  dead  of  night,  humorously  determined  to 
speak  in  his  own  behalf  and  watch  the  result.  He  was  heartily  wel- 
comed and  invited  home  with  the  governor  to  breakfast. 

It  is  through  the  writings  of  this  celebrated  sea-captain  that 

June  25.  °  ~    °  .  ,  r 

we  learn  of  much  of  the  irregularity  existing  at  that  time  in  New 
Netherland.  Nearly  every  one  drank  wine  and  stronger  liquors  to  excess 
when  they  could  be  obtained.  For  instance,  a  new  agent  arrived  for 
Pauw's  colony  at  Pavonia,  one  Cornelis  Van  Vorst,  and  brought  with 
him  some  good  claret.  De  Vries  called  there  one  day,  and  found  the  gov- 
ernor and  the  minister  making  merry ;  and  finally  they  quarreled  with 
Van  Vorst  about  a  manslaughter  which  had  been  committed  in  his 
colony  a  few  days  before,  but  made  it  up  in  the  end,  and  started  for  home. 
Van  Vorst  ran  to  give  a  salute  to  the  governor  from  a  stone  gun  which 
stood  on  a  pillar  near  his  house,  and  a  spark  fell  upon  the  thatched  roof, 
setting  it  on  fire.  There  being  no  means  of  putting  it  out,  in  less  than 
half  an  hour  the  whole  building  was  consumed. 

On  another  occasion  the  gunner  gave  a  frolic,  and  all  the  digni- 
Ug  8  taries  were  present.  The  tent  was  erected  in  one  of  the  angles  of  the 
fort,  and  tables  and  benches  were  plaoed  for  the  guests.  When  the  glee  was 
at  its  height,  the  trumpet  began  to  blow,  which  occasioned  a  quarrel,  and 
the  koopman  of  the  stores  and  the  koopman  of  the  cargasoons  found  fault 
and  called  the  trumpeter  hard  names.    He  turned  round  and  gave  them 
each  a  thrashing,  and  they  ran  for  their  swords,  uttering  terrible  threats. 
The  trumpeter  hid  from  them  that  night,  but  the  next  morning,  when  the 
wine  had  evaporated,  "  they  feared  him  more  than  they  sought  him." 
Aug.  13.     The  natural  beauties  of  Staten  Island  attracted  the  attention 
Aug.  is.  of  De  Vries,  and  before  he  left  for  Holland,  on  the  15th  of  August, 
he  arranged  with  Van  Twiller  to  enter  it  for  him  on  the  records  of  the 
company,  as  he  wished  to  found  a  colony  there. 

On  the  16th  of  June,  prior  to  this  date,  Jacob  Van  Corlear  had  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  land  from  the  Indians  on  Long  Island,  and  employed 
Thomas  Hall,  the  English  deserter,  to  superintend  the  plantation.  About 


PURCHASE  OF  LANDS. 


79 


the  same  time  Andries  Hudde,  one  of  the  governor's  council,  in  partnership 
with  Wolfert  Gerritsen,  purchased  the  flats  next  Corlear's  property.  On 
the  16th  of  July,  Van  T wilier  himself  secured  the  tempting  lands  farther 
to  the  east.  These  purchases,  including  nearly  15,000  acres,  seem  to  have 
been  made  without  the  knowledge  or  approbation  of  the  Amsterdam 
Chamber.  Upon  them  was  founded  the  town  of  New  Amersfoordt,  now 
Flatlands. 

There  was  another  grant  of  which  it  is  interesting  to  take  notice,  and 

which  occurred  not  far  from  the 
same  date,  —  sixty -two  acres  to 
Roelof  Jans,  beginning  south  of 
Warren  Street,  and  extending  along 
Broadway  as  far  as  Duane  Street, 
thence  northwesterly  a  mile  and  a 
half  to  Christopher  Street,  thus 
forming  a  sort  of  unequal  tri- 
angle with  its  base  upon  the  North 
River.  This  was  the  original  con- 
veyance of  the  very  valuable  estate 
since  known  as  the  Trinity  Church 
property.1 

Rensselaerswick  was  at 
this  time  improving  more  1637' 
rapidly  than  any  other  part  of  the 
province.  The  farmers  wrote  home 
glowing  descriptions  of  the  soil  and 
productions,  which,  published  in 
Holland,  brought  out  colonists  in 
large  numbers,  and  some  of  them 
were  men  of  substantial  means.  Early  in  the  spring  of  1637  Van  Rens- 
selaer purchased  of  the  Indians  a  large  addition  to  his  already  exten- 
sive property,  and  tradition  says  that  he  paid  a  brief  visit  to  his  manor 
about  that  time. 

Van  Twiller  also  inspected  and  bought  for  himself  Nutten  Island, 

1  Roelof  Jans  died  soon  after  the  grant,  leaving  a  wife  and  four  children.  His  widow 
Anetje  married  Dominie  Bogardus  in  the  year  1638,  and  her  farm  was  known  as  the  "  Dom- 
inie's bouwery. "  After  Bogardus's  death  in  1647,  this  grant  was  confirmed  by  the  English 
government  to  the  heirs,  who  sold  it  in  1671  to  Colonel  Lovelace,  at  which  sale  one  of  the  heirs 
failed  to  be  present.  It  was  afterward  incorporated  into  the  king's  farm,  and  in  1703  was 
presented  by  Queen  Anne  to  Trinity  Church.  Anetje  Bogardus  died  in  1668  in  Beverwyck. 
Benson's  Memo-ir,  119.    Rensselaerswick  MSS.    Paige's  Chancery  Reports. 


Map  of  what  was  Anetje  Jans's  Farm. 


80 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


since  which  it  has  "been  called  Governor's  Island.1  The  water  was  so 
shallow  between  it  and  Long  Island  at  that  time  as  to  be  easily 
'  forded  at  low  tide.  The  next  month  he  bought  Great  Barn  and 
Black  well's  Island.  By  these  acquisitions  he  became  one  of 
J  7 1 '  the  richest  land-owners  in  the  province.  He  stocked  his  nice 
farms  with  valuable  cattle,  and  the  colonists  wondered  how  it  all  came 
about !  The  high-toned  officer  Van  Dincklagen  could  not  rest  in  silence, 
and  remonstrated  with  the  governor  in  the  plainest  manner,  finally 
threatening  to  expose  him  if  he  did  not  desist  from  his  dishonorable  pro- 
ceedings. All  the  fierce  obstinacy  of  Van  Twiller's  nature  was  thus 
aroused,  and  in  a  fit  of  rage  he  caused  the  bold  sheriff  to  be  arrested  on  a 
charge  of  contumacy,  and  sent  him  as  a  prisoner  to  Holland,  retaining  his 
salary,  which  was  three  years  in  arrears. 

Van  Dincklagen  had  no  sooner  arrived  there  than  with  his  facile  pen  he 
reviewed  Van  Twiller's  government  in  a  memorial  to  the  States-General, 
which  was  immediately  sent  to  the  Amsterdam  Chamber  with  the  sugges- 
tion that  they  had  better  make  prompt  reparation  to  their  injured  officer. 
They  at  first  refused,  but  the  resolute  Van  Dincklagen  was  well  known 
and  respected,  and  his  second  memorial  was  supported  by  some  very 
stinging  remarks  from  Captain  De  Vries,  about  "  promoting  a  fool  from 
a  clerkship  to  a  governorship  simply  to  act  farces,"  so  that  finally  it 
was  decided  to  recall  Van  Twiller,  and  appoint  Wilhelm  Kieft  in  his 
place.  The  new  governor,  in  presence  of  the  States-General,  took 
Sept-  '  his  oath  of  office  on  September  2,  1637. 

Van  Dincklagen's  complaints  were  not  confined  to  the  civil  authorities 
of  New  Netherland.  Dominic  Iiogardus  was  censured,  and  to  such  an 
extent  that  when  the  news  reached  his  church  in  New  Amsterdam  the 
consistory  felt  it  their  duty  to  take  ecclesiastical  proceedings  against  the 
complainant,  which  a  long  time  after  they  were  obliged  to  defend  before 
the  Classis  of  Amsterdam. 

It  was  years  before  Van  Dincklagen  collected  his  salary,  although  the 
States-General  signified  it  as  their  pleasure  that  he  should  at  once  be 

1  Coincident  with  the  governor's  purchase,  John  (George)  Jansen  De  Rapaelje  bought  of  the 
Indians  335  acres  on  Long  Island  near  Waal-Bogt,  or  the  Bay  of  the  Foreigners.  Prior  to 
this  William  Adriaense  Rennet  and  Jacques  Bentyn  had  bought  930  acres  at  Gowanus,  and 
at  these  two  isolated  points  were  formed  the  nuclei  of  the  present  city  of  Brooklyn.  One 
Jonas  Bronck  also  bought  a  valuable  tract  in  West  Chester  "over  against  Haarlem,"  and 
from  him  the  Bronx  River  derived  its  name.  The  West  India  Company  bought  the  island  of 
Quotcnius  in  Narragansett  Bay,  also  an  island  near  the  Thames  River,  which  was  for  many 
years  known  as  Dutchman's  Island.  And  not  far  from  the  same  time  they  purchased  from 
Michael  PaUW,  Pavonia  and  his  other  lands,  which  abated  a  great  nuisance  in  the  shape  of 
an  Independent  colony  <>n  those  shores. 


THE  FUR-TRADE. 


81 


paid.  He  afterwards  returned  to  New  Amsterdam,  and  filled  with  honor 
one  of  the  most  important  offices  under  the  government. 

Notwithstanding  the  loss  of  business  on  the  Connecticut,  the  fur-trade 
during  the  last  year  of  Van  Twiller's  administration  had  increased.  The 
Dutch  had  opened  a  profitable  commerce  with  New  England ;  and  the 
scarcity  of  commodities  there,  owing  to  the  bloody  war  which  was  raging 
with  the  Pequods,  affected  prices  to  a  considerable  degree  in  New  Nether- 
land.  A  schepel  —  three  pecks  —  of  rye  sold  readily  for  eighty  cents. 
A  laboring  man  commanded  eighty  cents  per  day  during  harvest.  Corn 
rose  to  the  extraordinarily  high  price  of  twelve  shillings  a  bushel.  A  good 
cow  brought  thirty  pounds,  a  pair  of  oxen  forty  pounds,  and  a  horse  forty 
pounds,  while  the  price  of  a  negro  was  on  an  average  sixteen  dollars. 


Trading  with  the  Indians. 


82 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

1638  - 1641. 

GOVERNOR  WILHELM  KIEFT. 

Governor  Wilhelm  Kieft. — The  Extraordinary  Council. — Abuses. — Proclama- 
tions. —  The  Dominie's  Wedding.  — A  Curious  Slander  Case.  — The  First  Ferry 
to  Long  Island. — Encroachments  of  the  Swedes. — A  new  Policy.  —  Captain 
De  Vries's  Arrival.  — The  Pioneer  Settlers. — Oloff  Stevensen  Van  Cortlandt. 
—  English  Ambition.  — Captain  De  Vries's  Travels  and  what  he  saw.  — Pur- 
chase of  Indian  Lands.  —  Trouble  with  the  Indians.  —  The  new  Charter  of 
Freedoms  and  Exemptions.  — The  Store-Keeper.  — The  Six  Murderers.  —  Muni- 
cipal Regulations. — The  first  Marine  Telegraph  in  the  Harbor. 

/^\  OVERNOR  WILHELM  KIEFT  was  somewhat  coolly  received 
\JT  when,  after  a  long  and  tedious  voyage  in  the  Herring,  he  landed  on 
Manhattan  Island,  March  28,  1638.  Rumors  to  his  disadvantage  had 
preceded  him.  It  was  said  that  he  had  once  failed  in  the  mercan- 
1638'  tile  business  in  Holland,  and,  according  to  custom,  his  portrait  had 
heen  affixed  to  the  gallows  in  consequence.  That,  in  Dutch  estimation, 
was  a  lasting  disgrace.  Since  then,  he  had  heen  sent  hy  the  government 
as  Minister  to  Turkey,  and  had  heen  intrusted  with  money  to  procure  the 
ransom  of  some  Christians  in  bondage.  The  captives  were  left  in  their 
chains,  and  the  money  was  never  refunded.  Such  unfortunate  antece- 
dents were  not  calculated  to  inspire  confidence,  and  the  man  himself  had 
no  personal  attractions.  He  was  small  in  size,  fussy,  bustling,  fiery,  and 
avaricious.  He  had  a  wiry  look,  as  if  he  was  constantly  standing  on 
guard;  prominent,  sharp  features ;  and  deep-set,  restless  gray  eyes.  He 
was  industrious  and  strictly  temperate,  not  wanting  in  natural  abilities, 
and  far  from  heedless  of  the  laws  of  morality ;  but  his  education  was 
limited  and  his  self-conceit  unrestrained,  and  in  his  ignorance  of  the 
true  principles  of  government  he  imagined  himself  able  to  legislate, 
individually,  for  all  mankind. 

He  seized  the  reins  of  authority  with  the  air  of  a  master,  the  will  of  a 
tyrant,  and  a  determination  of  spirit  which  would  not  brook  interfer- 
ence.   He  consulted  no  oue.    lie  showed  no  deference  to  the  opinions  of 


THE  EXTRAORDINARY  COUNCIL. 


83 


the  intelligent  few  who  were  already  experienced  in  the  matter  of  treat- 
ing with  the  Indians.  He  placed  himself  on  a  pedestal,  and  looked  loftily 
over  the  heads  of  his  subjects.  The  West  India  Company  had  accorded 
him  the  privilege  of  fixing  the  number  of  his  council.  He  warily  chose 
one  man.  The  favored  individual  was  Dr.  Johannes  La  Montagne,  a 
learned  and  highly  bred  French  Huguenot,  who  had  escaped  from  the 
rage  of  religious  persecution  the  year  before,  and  found  his  Canaan  in 
the  Dutch  settlement  on  Manhattan  Island.  His  parents  belonged  to  the 
ancienne  noblesse  of  France,  —  a  fact  which  he  took  pains  neither  to  promul- 
gate nor  conceal,  but  which  might  have  revealed  itself  in  a  thousand  ways, 
even  if  his  unusual  accomplishments  and  elegant  manners  had  not  won 
universal  admiration.  He  was  a  widower  with  four  interesting  children, 
upon  whom  he  bestowed  great  care  and  affection.  He  gave  them  lessons 
daily,  and  perfected  their  education  in  such  a  masterly  manner  that  his 
three  daughters  grew  up  to  be  the  most  attractive  women  of  their  day  in 
the  province,  and  his  son  became  a  man  of  fortune  and  position.  Two  of 
Dr.  La  Montagne's  daughters  married  physicians,  —  Dr.  Hans  Kiersted 
and  Dr.  Van  Imbroeck.  His  youngest  daughter,  Marie,  became  the  wife 
of  Jacob  Kip.  Dr.  La  Montagne  practiced  medicine  for  many  years,  and 
was  the  only  doctor  on  Manhattan  in  whom  the  settlers  had  any  confi- 
dence. 

Kieft  was  quick  to  recognize  the  prospective  value  of  such  a  man's 
advice  in  state  affairs  ;  but,  as  a  governor,  he  was  resolved  to  hold  the 
supreme  command  himself  in  every  particular.  He  therefore  curiously 
arranged  that  his  one  councilor  should  be  entitled  to  one  vote,  while  he 
reserved  to  himself  two  votes.  Such  a  high-handed  act  of  despotism 
would  not  have  been  tolerated  a  day  in  any  part  of  the  Dutch  Eepublic ; 
and  it  only  serves  to  illustrate  the  inattention  of  the  "West  India  Company 
to  the  best  interests  of  their  colony.  Indeed,  the  company  were  discuss- 
ing the  question  at  that  very  time,  "  whether  it  would  not  be  expedient 
to  place  the  district  of  New  Netherland  at  the  disposal  of  the  States- 
General." 

Kieft  patronizingly  declared  his  willingness  to  admit  an  invited  guest, 
perhaps  two,  into  his  extraordinary  council  board,  on  occasions  when 
special  cases  were  to  be  tried  in  which  either  himself  or  Dr.  La  Mon- 
tagne were  supposed  to  be  interested ;  but  as  long  as  it  was  judged  a 
high  crime  to  appeal  to  any  other  tribunal,  the  condescension  was 
sneeringly  commented  upon  by  the  democratic  colonists.  Cornells  Van 
Tienhoven  won  his  way  into  the  new  governor's  favor  through  a 
little  adroit  flattery,  and  was  made  secretary  of  the  province  at  a  salary 
of  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  per  year.    A  few  days  later,  Ulrich 


84  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 

Lupoid  was  appointed  sheriff,  although  his  qualifications  for  that  office 
were  bitterly  questioned. 

Kieft  sent,  with  his  first  letter  to  Holland,  a  formal  statement  of  the 
ruinous  condition  in  which  he  had  found  the  colony.    He  said  :  — 

"  The  fort  is  open  at  every  side  except  the  stone  point ;  the  guns  are  dis- 
mounted ;  the  houses  and  public  buildings  are  all  out  of  repair  j  the  magazine 
for  merchandise  has  disappeared ;  every  vessel  in  the  harbor  is  falling  to  pieces  ; 
only  one  wind-mill  is  in  operation ;  the  farms  of  the  company  are  without  ten- 
ants, and  thrown  into  commons  ;  the  cattle  are  all  sold,  or  on  the  plantations  of 
Van  Twiller." 

Not  very  cheerful  news  for  the  disheartened  company.  Van  Twiller 
had  retired  to  private  life,  and  taken  up  his  abode  in  the  house  which  he 
had  built  upon  the  company's  farm.  Immediately  upon  Kieft's  arrival, 
the  ex-governor  commenced  negotiations  for  hiring  both  house  and  farm, 
and  in  a  few  days  succeeded  in  concluding  an  arrangement  at  a  yearly 
rent  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  guilders,  together  with  a  sixth  part  of 
the  produce.  The  inventory  of  his  private  property  was  in  startling 
contrast  to  the  general  state  of  decay  and  dilapidation  throughout  the 
colony,  and  his  manner  of  living  was  so  ostentatious  that  he  was  re- 
garded with  scorn  by  the  honest  portion  of  the  little  community. 

Abuses  existed  in  every  department  of  the  public  service.  Private 
individuals  were  constantly  smuggling  furs  and  tobacco,  and  selling  fire- 
arms to  the  Indians,  in  open  disregard  of  orders.  Law  seemed  fast  be- 
coming obsolete.  Kieft  commenced  the  reformatory  work  by  proclama- 
tions. They  were  written  in  a  plain  hand  and  pasted  on  posts,  trees, 
barns,  and  fences.  All  selling  of  guns  or  powder  to  the  Indians  was 
prohibited,  under  pain  of  death.  Illegal  traffic  in  furs  was  forbidden. 
Tobacco  was  made  subject  to  excise.  The  retailing  of  liquors  w  as  limited 
to  wine,  "  in  moderate  quantities."  Hours  were  fixed  for  laborers  to  stop 
work  ;  sailors  were  ordered  not  to  leave  their  ships  after  night-fall.  All 
the  vices  were  forbidden.  No  person  might  leave  the  island  without  a 
passport.  Thursday  of  each  week  was  appointed  for  the  regular  sitting 
of  the  council. 

Presently,  the  self-sufficient  lawgiver  ordered  that  no  attestations  or 
other  public  writings  should  be  valid  before  a  court  in  New  Netherland 
unless  they  were  written  by  the  colonial  secretary.  This  arbitrary  regu- 
lation provoked  opposition,  and  was  declared  on  all  sides  to  be  oppressive, 
and  intended  to  restrain  popular  rights.  The  policy  of  the  measure  was 
defended  by  the  sycophantic  Van  Tienhoven,  who  declared  that  most  of 
the  parties  who  went  to  law  for  the  redress  of  their  grievances  were  illit- 


ABUSES.  —  P  ROC  LAM  A  TIONS. 


85 


erate  countrymen  or  sailors,  who  could  read  or  write  but  indifferently  or 
not  at  all. 

Dominie  Bogardus,  when  he  heard  of  the  charges  which  Van  Dinck- 
lagen  had  preferred  against  him  before  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  peti- 
tioned the  governor  for  leave  to  return  to  Holland  and  defend  himself. 

m 

Autograph  of  Everardus  Bogardus. 

Kieft  entered  warmly  into  the  feelings  of  the  church  and  people,  and 
finally  resolved  "  to  retain  Dominie  Everardus  Bogardus,  that  the  in- 
terests of  God's  Word  may  in  no  wise  be  prevented " ;  and  he  also 
prayed  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  "  for  the  protection  of  their  esteemed 
preacher."  1 

Not  long  after,  the  principal  families  and  personages  at  Manhattan 
were  invited  to  attend  the  marriage  of  the  Dominie  to  the  famous  Anetje 
Jans,  who,  although  she  may  not  have  seemed  rich  in  the  days  when  great 
landed  estates  were  to  be  bought  for  a  few  strings  of  beads,  yet  is  rever- 
enced by  her  numerous  descendants  as  among  the  very  goddesses  of 
wealth.  She  was  a  small,  well-formed  woman,  with  delicate  features, 
transparent  complexion,  and  bright,  beautiful  dark  eyes.  She  had  a  well- 
balanced  mind,  a  sunny  disposition,  winning  manners,  and  a  kind  heart ; 
and  soon  became  very  dear  to  the  people  of  the  church  over  which  her 
husband  was  pastor,  besides  being  a  distinguished  and  valuable  counselor 
to  her  own  numerous  family  of  children. 

A  curious  regulation  was  instituted  about  that  time  in  relation  to  the 
ringing  of  the  town  bell.  Its  chief  office  was  to  call  the  devout  to 
church  on  the  Sabbath ;  but  Kieft  ordered  it  rung  every  evening  at  nine 
o'clock,  to  announce  the  hour  for  retiring ;  also  every  morning  and  even- 
ing at  a  given  hour,  to  call  persons  to  and  from  their  labor;  and,  on 
Thursdays,  to  summon  prisoners  into  court.  We  take  the  following  from 
the  unpublished  Dutch  manuscripts  at  the  New  York  City  Hall : 2  — 

"October  14th,  1638.    For  scandalizing  the  governor,  Hendrick  Jansen  is 

1  Cor.  CI.  Amsterdam,  19th  Nov.,  1641  ;  1st  April,  1642,  ante,  p.  273. 

2  The  official  records  of  New  Netherland  have  fortunately  been  preserved  in  an  almost  un- 
broken series  from  the  time  of  Kieft's  inauguration,  and  afford  authentic  and  copious  materials 
for  the  historian. 


86 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


sentenced  to  stand  at  the  fort  entrance,  at  the  ringing  of  the  bell,  and  ask  the 
governor's  pardon." 

Under  the  same  date,  — 

"  For  drawing  his  knife  upon  a  person,  Guysbert  Van  Regerslard  is  sentenced 
to  throw  himself  three  times  from  the  saUyard  of  the  yacht  Hope,  and  to  receive 
from  each  sailor  three  lashes,  at  the  ringing  of  the  bell." 

And,  — 

"  Grietje  Renders,  for  slandering  the  Dominie  Everardus  Bogardus,  is  con- 
demned to  appear  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  at  the  sounding  of  the  bell,  and  declare 
before  the  governor  and  council  that  she  knew  the  minister  to  be  an  honest  and 
pious  man,  and  that  she  had  lied  falsely." 

The  records  give  us  an  insight  into  the  cause  as  well  as  the  merits  of 
this  slander  case.  Mrs.  Bogardus  went  to  pay  a  friendly  visit  to  a 
neighbor ;  but,  on  getting  into  the  "  entry,"  discovered  that  Grietje  Rei- 
niers,  a  woman  of  questionable  reputation,  was  in  the  house,  and  there- 
upon turned  about  and  went  home.  Grietje  was  greatly  offended  at  this 
"  snubbing  "  from  the  Dominie's  lady,  and  followed  her,  making  disagree- 
able remarks.  While  passing  a  blacksmith's  shop,  where  the  road  was 
muddy,  Mrs.  Bogardus  raised  her  dress  a  little,  and  Grietje  was  very 
invidious  in  her  criticisms.  The  Dominie  thought  fit  to  make  an  ex- 
ample of  her  ;  hence  the  suit.  Grietje's  husband  being  in  arrears  for 
church  dues,  Bogardus  sent  for  him  and  ordered  payment,  and,  not  getting 
it,  finally  sued  for  the  amount. 

In  some  respects  Kieft  brought  order  out  of  chaos,  and  improved  the 
appearance  of  the  town.  Most  of  the  houses  were  in  clusters  without 
regard  to  streets,  and  grouped  near  the  walls  of  the  fort.  Pearl  Street 
was  then  a  simple  road  on  the  bank  of  the  river.  It  is  at  no  very  distant 
date  that  Water,  Front,  aud  South  Streets  were  reclaimed  from  the 
water.  Pearl  was  undoubtedly  the  first  street  occupied  for  building  pur- 
poses, and  Kieft  selected  it  for  the  best  class  of  dwellings,  on  account  of 
its  fine  river-prospect.  The  lone  wind-mill  stood  on  State  Street,  and 
was,  as  seen  from  the  bay,  the  most  prominent  object  on  the  island.  Not 
far  from  it  were  the  bakery,  brewery,  and  warehouse  of  the  company. 

A  ferry  to  Long  Island  had  been  established  before  Kieft's  arrival, 
from  the  vicinity  of  Peck's  Slip  to  a  point  a  little  below  the  present 
Fulton  Ferry.  Cornelis  Dircksen,  who  had  a  farm  in  that  vicinity,  came 
at  the  sound  of  a  horn,  which  hung  against  a  tree,  and  ferried  the  wait- 
ing passengers  across  the  river  in  a  skiff,  for  the  moderate  charge  of 
three  stivers  in  wampum.  Many  thousands  now  cross  the  Brooklyn 
ferries  daily  at  about  the  same  place. 


COMPETITION  OF  SWEDEN. 


87 


There  was  a  road  which  had  been  formed  by  travel  from  the  fort 
towards  the  northern  part  of  Manhattan  Island,  crooking  about  to  avoid 
hills  and  ravines,  and  which  might  have  been  more  truly  called  a  path. 
Upon  either  side  of  it,  although  at  considerable  distances  apart,  farms  were 
laid  out,  and  some  English  colonists,  who  removed  to  this  hitherto  uncul- 


First  Ferry  to  Long  Island. 


tivated  district  from  Virginia,  brought  with  them  cherry  and  peach  trees, 
and  soon  rendered  it  somewhat  interesting  to  agriculturists.  Kieft  was 
extravagantly  fond  of  flowers,  and  encouraged  gardening  after  the  most 
approved  European  standard.    He  also  stocked  the  farms  with  fine  cattle. 

Sweden  all  at  once  appeared  as  a  competitor  with  France,  England, 
and  Holland  for  a  foothold  in  North  America.  Peter  Minuet  had  offered 
to  that  power  the  benefit  of  his  colonial  experience ;  and  an  ex- 

April  15. 

pedition  was  placed  under  his  direction,  with  fifty  emigrants,  a 
Lutheran  minister,  goods  for  the  Indian  trade,  and  the  necessaries  for 
making  a  little  colony  comfortable  in  a  strange  land.  They  came  to 
the  Delaware  Bay  country,  where  Minuet  bought  of  the  sachem  Matte- 
hoorn,  for  "  a  kettle  and  other  trifles,"  as  much  land  as  would  serve  to 
build  a  house  upon  and  make  a  plantation.  For  this  land  a  deed  was 
given,  written  in  Low  Dutch,  as  no  Swede  could  interpret  the  Indian  lan- 
guage. Upon  the  strength  of  this  conveyance,  the  Swedes  claimed  to  have 
bought  all  the  territory  on  the  west  side  of  the  Delaware  Eiver,  from  Cape 
Henlopen  to  the  Falls  of  Trenton,  and  as  far  inland  as  they  might  want.1 

1  Acrelius  in  11  N.  V.  H.  S.  Col.,  Vol.  I.  409.  New  York  Col.  MSS.  Hudde's  Report. 
Hazard,  Am.  Penn,  42,  43.  Brodhead,  Vol.  I.  p.  282.  Letter  of  Jerome  Hawley,  Treasurer 
of  Virginia,  to  Secretary  Windebanke,  May  8,  1638,  in  London  Documents.  O'Callaghan, 
I.  1 90.    Ferris,  42,  45.    Holm,  85, 


88 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


As  soon  as  Kieft  heard  the  news,  he  wrote  Minuet  a  letter  of  re- 
monstrance, of  which  the  latter  took  no  heed,  but  went  on  building  his 
fort,  which  he  called  Fort  Christiana,  in  honor  of  the  young  queen  of 
Sweden.  Before  midsummer,  he  went  to  Europe  with  the  first  cargo 
of  furs.  Kieft  was  uncertain  what  course  to  pursue,  and  wrote  to  the 
company  for  instructions.  Sweden  was,  however,  just  then,  too  powerful 
a  kingdom  and  too  dangerous  a  neighbor  to  pick  a  quarrel  with,  for  the 
company  was  already  on  the  decline ;  therefore  the  Swedes  became  the 
first  European  occupants  of  the  State  of  Delaware. 

By  this  time  the  company,  in  sheer  despair,  had  matured  a  more 
liberal  policy,  by  which  they  hoped  to  improve  their  mismanaged  prov- 
ince of  New  Netherland.  Every  emigrant  should  be  accommodated, 
according  to  his  means,  with  as  much  land  as  he  could  properly  cultivate. 
He  should  be  conveyed  to  New  Netherland,  with  his  cattle  and  merchan- 
dise, in  the  company's  ships,  at  a  duty  of  ten  per  cent  ad  valorem,  paid  to 
the  company.  A  quit-rent  of  one  tenth  of  the  produce  was  exacted,  but 
legal  estates  of  inheritance  were  assured  to  the  grantees  of  all  the  land. 
Ministers,  schoolmasters,  and  negro  slaves  were  promised ;  and  also  pro- 
tection and  assistance  in  case  of  war.  Forts  and  public  buildings  were 
to  be  kept  in  repair,  and  law  and  order  maintained  by  the  company ; 
and  each  new  settler  was  required  to  declare  under  his  signature  that 
he  would  voluntarily  submit  to  existing  authorities.  It  was  a  step  in 
advance,  although  far  short  of  the  emergency,  and  arrangements  for  re- 
moval to  America  were  immediately  made  by  many  persons  of  capital 
and  influence  in  Holland. 

Captain  De  Vries  sailed  in  September,  with  a  party  of  emigrants,  to 
sept  25  ^a^e  Possessi°n  °f  Staten  Island.  When  they  arrived  off  Sandy 
Hook,  winter  had  set  in,  and  all  were  homesick  and  disheart- 
Dec'27'  ened.  The  captain  of  the  vessel  proposed  going  to  the  West 
Indies,  to  stay  until  spring ;  but  De  Vries  objected,  and  offered  to  pilot 
the  ship  into  port,  which  he  accordingly  did.  He  was  always  a  welcome 
visitor  at  New  Amsterdam,  but  perhaps  never  more  so  than  now,  as  no 
ship  was  expected  at  such  a  season  of  the  year,  and  its  coming  was  an 
agreeable  break  in  the  monotony  of  colonial  life.  De  Vries  was  invited 
to  the  governor's  house  and  treated  with  distinguished  attention.  His 
people  remained  on  the  vessel  for  a  few  days,  when  they  proceeded 
to  Staten  Island,  and  constructed  some  log-cabins,  to  live  in  until 
spring. 

Kieft,  in  looking  about  him,  thought  it  was  well  to  secure  more  land  to 
the  company ;  and  he  purchased  from  the  Indian  chiefs,  during  that  and 
the  following  year,  nearly  all  the  territory  now  comprising  the  county 


THE  PIONEER  SETTLERS. 


89 


of  Queen's.1    A  few  months  afterward,  he  secured  a  large  tract  of  land  in 
West  Chester,  which  is  supposed  to  include  the  present  town  of 
Yonkers.2    Portions  of  these  lands  were  soon  deeded  away  to 
enterprising  settlers ;  for,  hy  reason  of  the  more  liberal  system  of  the 
company,  a  rapid  impulse  had  been  given  to  the  settlement  of 
the  province.    In  August  of  this  year,  Antony  Jansen  Van  Vaas,  A"8- 
a  French  Huguenot,  from  Salee,  bought  two  hundred  acres  on  the  west 
end  of  Long  Island,  and  a  part  of  the  present  towns  of  New  Utrecht  and 
Gravesend,  of  which  he  was  the  pioneer  settler.    On  the  28th  of 
November  following,  Thomas  Bescher  received  a  patent  for  a   °v  ^ 
tobacco  plantation  "  on  the  beach  of  Long  Island,"  supposed  to  be  a 
portion  of  the  site  of  Brooklyn.    About  the  same  time,  George 
Holms,  the  leader  of  the  expedition  against  Fort  Nassau,  who  N°v' 15' 
had  returned  to  cast  his  fortunes  among  the  Dutch  at  Fort  Amster- 
dam, entered  into  partnership  with  his  countryman,  Thomas  Hall,  and 
bought  a  large  farm  on  Deutal  Bay,  a  small  cove  on  the  East  Eiver, 
now  known  as  Turtle  Bay,3  where  they  built  a  very  comfortable  house. 
Attracted  by  the  greater  religious  freedom  among  the  Dutch,  numbers 
came  from  New  England  and  settled  at  various  points  on  Long  Island, 
at  West  Chester,  and  at  New  Amsterdam.    Among  them  was  Captain 
John  Underhill,  who  had  distinguished  himself  in  the  Pequod  war,  and 
had  since  been  governor  of  Dover.    That  is,  he  made  arrangements  for 
removal,  and  sent  several  of  his  people;  but  he  was  himself  detained 
to  undergo  ecclesiastical  proceedings  from  the  "  proud  Pharisees,"  as  he 
called  them,  and  only  arrived  in  New  Amsterdam  in  1643.    But  there 
was  an  influx  of  the  poorer  class  from  Virginia  which  was  not  bene- 
ficial, except  so  far  as  their  experience  in  tobacco  and  fruit  culture  was 
concerned;  for  they  were  English  convicts,  sent  out  as  laborers,  and 
glad  to  escape  as  soon  as  their  term  of  service  had  expired.    They  were 
very  much  given  to  drinking  and  lawlessness. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  summer,  New  Amsterdam  had  been  visited 
by  two  somewhat  remarkable  men,  who  were  so  much  pleased  with 
what  they  saw  that  they  returned  to  Europe  and  soon  after  came  back 
to  establish  themselves  here  with  their  families.  These  were  Jochem 
Pietersen  Kuyter,  of  Darmstadt,  who  had  held  a  high  position  in  the 

1  Thomson's  Long  Island.    Dr.  Stiles  s  History  of  Brooklyn. 

2  Bolton's  West  Chester,  11,  401.    Alb.  Rec.  G.  0.,  59,  62. 

3  The  Dutch  name  Deutal,  which  the  English  corrupted  to  Turtle,  signified  a  peg  with 
which  casks  were  secured.  These  pegs  were  short,  but  broad  at  the  base ;  and  as  the  bay  w  as 
narrow  at  the  entrance,  but  wide  within,  the  resemblance  suggested  the  name.  Judge  Ben- 
son's Memoir,  96, 


90  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  XEW  YORK. 


East  Indies  under  the  government  of  Denmark  ;  and  Cornelis  Melyn,  of 
Antwerp.  They  were  both  men  of  property  and  ability,  of  some  culture, 
and  of  wide  experience  in  the  ways  of  the  world,  and  they  soon  rose  to 
prominence  in  the  colony.  Thirty  or  more  farms  were  now  under  success- 
ful cultivation,  and  the  country  began  to  wear  an  air  of  healthy  activity. 
The  only  obligation  required  from  foreigners  was  an  oath  of  allegiance 
similar  to  that  which  was  imposed  upon  the  Dutch  colonists. 

In  July,  Ulrich  Lupoid  was  removed  from  the  post  of  sheriff  to  that 
of  commissary  of  wares,  and  Cornelis  Van  der  Huygens  was  appointed  in 
his  place.  Jacob  Van  Corlear  and  David  Trovoost  were  made  inspectors 
of  tobacco,  and  Oloff  Stevensen  Van  Cortlandt  was  appointed  commis- 
sary of  the  shop.    This  latter  personage  came  out  in  the  same  vessel 

with  Kieft  from 
Holland,  as  a  sol- 
dier in  the  service 
of  the  company, 
and  this  was  his 
first  promotion.  He 
was  a  lineal  descend- 
ant of  the  Dukes 
of  Courland  in  Rus- 
sia. His  ancestors, 
when  deprived  of 
the  duchy  of  Corn- 
land,  emigrated  to 
Holland.  The 
family  name  was 
Stevens,  or  Stevensen,  van  (from)  Courland,  and  they  adopted  the  latter 
as  a  surname,  the  true  orthography  in  Dutch  being  Kortelandt,  signify- 
ing short '-hi  iid} 

Michel  Evertsen  was  clerk  of  the  customs,  —  the  first  record  in 
New  Netherland  of  an  honorable  Dutch  name,  which  has  been  handed 
down  to  many  highly  respected  families  in  the  State  of  New  York  and 
elsewhere.  Gerrit  Schult  and  Hans  Kiersted  were  regularly  bred  sur- 
geons, sent  out  from  Holland  by  the  West  India  Company.  The  latter 
married  Sarah,  the  eldest  daughter  of  Dr.  La  Montagne.  Gysbert  Op 
Dyck  was  sent  as  commissary  to  Fort  Good  Hope. 

1  The  above  statements  are  founded  upon  Burke's  History  of  the.  English  Commoners,  The 
Heraldic  Bearings  and  Family  Tradition.  "  Let  those  who  would  disparage  the  origin  of  this 
noble  family  go  to  work  anil  disprove  what  has  long  ago  been  asserted  of  them."  —  Rev. 
Robert  Bolton  to  the  Author,  November  11,  1872. 


Van  Cortlandt  Manor-House. 


ENGLISH  AMBITION. 


91 


The  state  of  morals  in  New  Amsterdam  was  by  no  means  healthy, 
owing  to  the  great  variety  of  persons  who  were  coming  into  the  town ; 
and  prosecutions  and  punishments  for  dishonesty  and  public  executions 
for  murder  and  mutiny  were  not  infrequent.  The  governor  was  con- 
tinually on  the  alert,  but,  from  his  irritable  nature,  commanded.no  re- 
spect, and  was  obliged  to  enforce  obedience.  Assuming  sovereignty 
and  refusing  counsel,  he  soon  committed  an  act  of  the  greatest  indis- 
cretion. He  levied  a  tribute  of  "  maize  furs  or  sewan  "  upon  the 
Indians,  under  the  plea  that  on  their  account  the  company  was  Sept'  15 
burdened  with  the  heavy  expenses  of  fortifications  and  garrisons.  In 
case  they  refused  to  pay  it,  he  threatened  to  compel  them  to  do  so.1 
The  disastrous  consequences,  we  shall  soon  have  occasion  to  relate. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  indomitable  New-Englanders  had  been  pushing 
westward,  and  had  established  themselves  at  a  place  which  the  Dutch 
called  Eoodeberg,  or  Red  Hill,  but  to  which  the  English  gave  the  name 
of  New  Haven ;  and  so  rapidly  had  the  settlement  tilled  up,  that  they 
had  already  a  handsome  church  built,  and  more  than  three  hundred 
houses.  They  had  bought  large  tracts  around  them  and  planted  numer- 
ous smaller  towns.  Captain  De  Vries  went  on  a  voyage  of  observation 
up  the  Connecticut  River,  during  the  summer  of  1639,  and  was  agree- 
ably entertained  by  the  English  governor  at  Hartford,  which  was  quite 
a  thriving  place,  with  a  church  and  a  hundred  or  more  houses.  Captain 
De  Vries  was  very  frank  with  his  English  host,  and  told  him  that  it 
was  not  right  to  take  lands  which  the  West  India  Company  had  bought 
and  paid  for.  The  reply  was,  that  those  lands  were  uncultivated,  and  no 
effort  made  to  improve  them,  and  it  seemed  a  sin  to  let  such  valuable 
property  go  to  waste,  when  fine  crops  could  be  raised  with  a  little  care. 
De  Vries  noticed  that  the  English  lived  there,  to  quote  his  exact  words, 
"  very  soberly."  "  They  only  drank  three  times  at  a  meal,  and  those 
who  got  tipsy  were  whipped  on  a  pole,  as  thieves  were  in  Holland  " ;  and 
*  their  whole  government  was  rigorous  in  the  extreme. 

The  Dutch  held  their  one  small  foothold  near  by ;  but  it  was  of  very 
little  use  to  them,  for  the  English  openly  denied  even  their  right  to  the 
ground  about  the  redoubt.  From  words  it  came  to  blows,  and  Evert 
Duyckingck,  one  of  the  garrison  of  fourteen  men,  was  cudgeled  while 
sowing  grain  in  the  spring  of  1640.  Disgusted  with  the  command  of 
a  post  without  adequate  force  to  protect  it  from  insult,  Op  Dyck  resigned 
his  office,  and  Jan  Hendricksen  Roesen  succeeded  him. 

With  a  boldness  fostered  by  the  consciousness  of  superior  numbers, 
smart  little  towns  were  started  all  along  the  Connecticut  River  to  its 

1  The  Amsterdam  Chamber  denied  any  knowledge  of  this  measure. 
6 


92 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


mouth,  where  a  strong  fort  was  in  existence,  and  where  Saybrook,  under 
the  command  of  Colonel  Fenwick,  who  had  just  arrived  from  England, 
accompanied  by  his  beautiful  wife,  the  Lady  Alice,  had  become  quite  a 
flourishing  settlement.  On  the  borders  of  the  Sound,  De  Vries  saw  also 
other  evidences  of  English  enterprise.  At  the  mouth  of  the  Housatonic 
the  village  of  Stratford  already  contained  more  than  fifty  houses.  Men, 
like  stray  bees,  were  beginning  to  build  at  Norwalk  and  Stamford,  and 
even  at  Greenwich  two  houses  were  erected.  One  of  these  was  occupied 
by  Captain  Daniel  Patrick,  who  had  been  an  officer  in  the  Pequod  war, 
and  had  had  ample  opportunity  for  inspecting  the  country,  and  who  had 
married  a  Dutch  lady  at  the  Hague.  The  other  was  occupied  by  Robert 
Feake,  whose  wife  was  the  daughter-in-law  of  Governor  Winthrop,1  and 
who  afterward  purchased  a  title  to  the  whole  region,  and  held  it  for  two 
years  in  defiance  of  Dutch  authority. 

Returning  to  his  plantation  on  Staten  Island,  De  Vries  found  it  lan- 
guishing for  want  of  proper  colonists,  because  his  partner  in  Holland  had 
not  fulfilled  his  agreement  to  send  them.  He  spent  a  few  days  there  and 
then  visited  New  Amsterdam,  where  two  vessels  had  just  arrived,  one  of 
which  belonged  to  the  company  ;  the  other  was  a  private  ship,  laden  with 
cattle,  and  belonged  to  Captain  Jochem  Pietersen  Kuyter. 
1640.  Later  in  the  season,  De  Vries  found  a  better  situation,  about  six 
Feb.  10.  mjies  akove  the  fort  on  the  Hudson  River,  where  there  were  some 
sixty  acres  of  "  corn  land,"  and  no  trees  to  cut  down.  There  was,  be- 
sides, hay  enough  upon  it  for  two  hundred  head  of  cattle.  He  accom- 
plished its  purchase  of  the  Indians,  and  determined  to  live  half  of  the 

time  there.  On  the  15th  of  April,  he  sailed  on  a  voyage  up  the 
Apm  is.  -jjucjson>  an(j  jjjg  circumstantial  journal  gives  a  very  interesting 
picture  of  the  country  along  its  banks.  From  this  trip  he  did  not  return 
until  December,  and  then  immediately  commenced  improving  his  new 
estate,  which  he  called  Vriesendael. 

As  yet  there  were  few  Dutch  colonists  east  of  the  Harlem  River ;  and 

Kieft,  rendered  anxious  by  English  progress,  sent  Secretary  Van 
Apni  19.  Tiennoven  to  pUr-ciiage  the  group  of  islands  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Norwalk  River,  together  with  the  adjoining  territory  on  the  mainland, 
and  to  erect  thereon  the  standard  of  the  States-General,  "  so  as  to  effectu- 
ally prevent  any  other  nation's  encroachment."  These  directions  were 
executed,  and  the  West  India  Company  thereby  obtained  the  Indian  title 

to  all  the  country  between  the  Norwalk  and  North  Rivers.  On 

May  10 

the  10th  of  May  of  the  same  year,.Kieft  also  bought  of  the  great 
chief  Penhawitiz  the  territory  forming  the  present  county  of  Kings,  on 

1  Hubert  Feuke  married  the  widow  of  Henry  Winthrop. 


PURCHASE  OF  INDIAN  LANDS. 


93 


Long  Island.  All  the  lands  east  of  Oyster  Bay,  which  form  the  county 
of  Suffolk,  remained,  however,  in  the  hands  of  its  aboriginal  lords. 

What  was  the  surprise  of  the  governor  of  New  Netherland  when,  one 
morning,  a  Scotchman,  named  Farrett,  presented  himself  at  Fort  Amster- 
dam and  claimed  the  whole  of  Long  Island,  under  a  commission  from  the 
Earl  of  Stirling !  He  had  already  confirmed  Lion  Gardiner's  purchase 
of  Gardiner's  Island 1  from  the  Indians,  and  empowered  him  to  make  and 
put  in  practice  all  necessary  laws  of  Church  and  State.  He  had  made 
an  agreement  with  several  persons  from  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  by  which 
they  might  settle  upon  and  cultivate  any  lands  on  Long  Island  which 
they  should  buy  of  the  Indians.  Farrett  was  contemptuously  dismissed 
by  Kieft ;  but  the  Lynn  emigrants  soon  after  arrived  at  the  head  of  Cow 
Bay,  pulled  down  the  Dutch  arms,  and  put  up  a  house  very  quickly. 
The  sachem  Penhawitz  hurried  to  New  Amsterdam  with  the  news,  and 
Van  Tienhoven  was  dispatched  with  an  armed  force  to  arrest  the  whole 
party  and  bring  them  before  the  governor.  Satisfied,  however,  upon  ex- 
amination, that  they  were  not  in  fault,  Kieft  dismissed  them  after  they 
had  signed  an  agreement  to  intrude  no  more  upon  Dutch  territory.  This 
led  to  the  immediate  settlement  of  Southampton ;  for  Farrett  discovered 
that  the  Dutch,  although  they  derided  Lord  Stirling's  claim,  were  chiefly 
anxious  to  maintain  possession  of  the  western  extremity  of  Long  Island, 
and  he,  with  his  associates,  removed  and  settled  unmolested  farther  east. 

Up  to  this  time  the  relations  between  the  Dutch  and  the  Indians  had 
been  upon  the  whole  friendly.  But  many  of  the  colonists  had  neglected 
their  farms  for  the  quicker  profits  of  traffic.  To  prosper  in  this  they  had 
allured  the  savages  to  their  homes,  fed  them  bountifully,  and  treated  them 
to  "fire-water."  In  many  instances  the  jealousies  of  the  latter  had  been 
excited  against  each  other.  They  had  also  been  frequently  employed  as 
house  and  farm  servants  by  the  settlers ;  which  was  unwise,  because  they 
would  sometimes  steal,  and  then  run  away  and  tell  their  tribes  about  the 
habits,  mode  of  life,  and  numerical  strength  of  the  Dutch. 

The  unhappiest  thing  of  all  was  supplying  the  red-men  with  fire-arms. 
The  Iroquois  warriors  at  first  considered  a  gun  "  the  devil,"  and  would 
not  touch  it.  Champlain  taught  them  its  power,  and  then  they  were 
eager  to  possess  it.  For  a  musket  they  would  willingly  give  twenty 
beaver-skins.  For  a  pound  of  powder  they  were  glad  to  barter  the  value 
of  several  dollars.  It  mattered  not  that  the  "West  India  Company  for- 
bade the  traffic  under  penalty  of  death,  and  that  their  executive  officer  at 
Manhattan  was  not  in  the  least  averse  to  capital  punishment.    Such  im- 

1  The  price  paid  for  Gardiner's  Island  was  one  large  black  dog,  one  gun,  some  powder  and 
shot,  some  rum,  and  a  few  Dutch  blankets  :  in  value  about  £5. 


94  |  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


♦ 


uiense  profits  were  too  tempting,  and  the  Mohawks  were  already  well 
armed.  It  was  less  easy  to  deal  with  the  river  tribes  without  discovery, 
and  the  latter  began  to  hate  the  Dutch  in  consequence.  Kieft's  taxes 
were  the  final  blow  to  their  friendship. 

In  Julv,  rumors  of  some  intended  hostile  demonstration  reached 

July- 

the  governor,  and  he  ordered  all  the  residents  of  New  Amster- 
dam to  arm  themselves,  and,  at  the  firing  of  three  guns,  to  repair,  under 
their  respective  officers,  equipped  for  warfare,  to  a  place  of  rendezvous. 
Without  waiting  to  be  attacked,  he  soon  found  an  excuse  to  become  the 
aggressor.  It  happened  that  some  persons  in  the  company's  service,  on 
their  way  to  Delaware  River  in  July,  had  landed  at  Staten  Island  for 
wood  and  water,  and  stolen  some  swine  which  had  been  left  in  charge  of  a 
negro  by  De  Vries.  The  innocent  Raritan  Indians,  who  lived  twenty 
miles  or  more  inland,  were  accused  of  this  theft,  and  also  of  having  stolen 
the  canoe  of  a  trading  party. 

Kieft  thought  to  punish  them,  and  sent  Secretary  Van  Tienhoven,  with 
fifty  soldiers  and  twenty  sailors,  to  attack  them,  and  unless  they  made 
prompt  reparation,  to  destroy  their  corn.  The  men  accompanying  Tien- 
hoven, knowing  the  governor's  temper,  were  anxious  to  kill  and  plunder 
at  once.  This  Tienhoven  refused  to  permit ;  but  finally,  vexed  with  their 
importunity,  he  left  them,  and  they  attacked  the  Indians,  several  of 
whom  were  killed  and  their  crops  destroyed.  Thus  was  the  seed  sown 
for  a  long  and  bloody  war.1 

Meanwhile  the  directors  of  the  West  India  Company  had  not  ceased 
wrangling  with  each  other  and  with  the  patroons ;  but  they  agreed  upon  a 
new  Charter  of  Freedoms  and  Exemptions,  which  amended  materially  the 
obnoxious  instrument  of  1629.  All  good  inhabitants  of  New  Netherland 
were  to  select  lands  and  form  colonies,  to  be  limited  to  one  mile  along 
the  shore  of  a  bay  or  navigable  river,  and  two  miles  into  the  country. 
The  right  of  way  by  land  or  water  was  to  be  free  to  all,  and  disputes 
were  to  be  settled  by  the  governor,  under  all  circumstances.  The  feudal 
privileges  of  jurisdiction,  and  the  exclusive  right  of  hunting,  fishing, 
fowling,  grinding  corn,  etc.,  were  continued  to  the  patroons  as  an  estate 
of  inheritance,  with  descent  to  females  as  well  as  males.  Manufacturers 
were  permitted.  Another  class  of  proprietors  was  soon  established. 
Masters  or  Colonists  they  were  called,  and  were  such  as  should  convey 
fine-grown  persons  to  New  Netherland,  and  might  occupy  one  hundred 
acres  of  land.    Commercial  privileges  were  very  greatly  extended,  al- 

1  Bre.e.den  Raedi.  Chalmers's  Political  Annals.  Dc  Vries,  in  11  N.  Y.  H.  S.  Col.  Albany 
Records.  Kieft  is  accused  of  having  given  to  the  soldiers  themselves,  at  the  moment  of  em- 
barkation, even  harsher  orders  than  he  gave  to  Van  Tienhoven.    0' Callaghan,  I.  '227,  note. 


THE  SIX  MURDERERS. 


95 


though  the  company  adhered  to  the  system  of  onerous  imposts  for  its 
own  benefit.  The  company  renewed  their  pledge  to  furnish  negroes,  and 
appoint  and  support  competent  officers,  "  for  the  protection  of  the  good 
and  the  punishment  of  the  wicked."  The  governor  and  his  council  were 
still  to  act  as  an  orphans'  and  surrogate's  court,  to  judge  in  criminal  and 
religious  affairs,  and  administer  law  and  justice.  The  Dutch  Eeformed 
religion  was  to  be  publicly  taught  and  sanctioned,  and  ministers  and 
schoolmasters  were  to  be  sustained. 

The  people  in  and  around  New  Amsterdam  were  generally  supplied 
with  necessary  goods  of  all  descriptions  from  the  company's  store. 
But  it  was  well  known  that  they  were  sold  at  an  advance  of  fifty  per 
cent  on  their  cost,  and  many  were  the  complaints.  The  store-keeper, 
Ulrich  Lupoid,  who  had  never  been  regarded  as  trustworthy,  was  finally 
detected  in  extortion,  and  removed  from  his  position.  The  first  liquor 
ever  made  in  this  country  was  produced  from  a  private  still  on  Staten 
Island,  erected  by  Kieft  in'  1640,  and  run  by  Willem  Hendricksen,  for 
twenty-five  guilders  per  month. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1641,  great  excitement  was  oc-  ^ 
casioned  by  the  intelligence  that  a  murder  had  been  committed 
near  the  fort.  Six  of  the  company's  slaves  had  killed  one  of  their  fel- 
low-negroes. There  was  no  evidence  against  them ;  and  so  torture,  the 
common  expedient  of  the  Dutch  law  in  such  cases,  was  resorted  to  for 
the  purpose  of  extorting  self-accusation.  To  avoid  this  terrible  engine 
the  negroes  confessed  they  had  all  jointly  committed  the  deed.  The 
court  was  in  a  dilemma.  Laborers  were  scarce,  and  six  were  too  many 
to  lose.  Lots  were  drawn,  in  order  to  determine  which  should  be  exe- 
cuted ;  for  justice  could  not  be  defrauded.  The  lot  fell  on  a  stalwart 
fellow,  who  was  called  "  the  giant,"  and  he  was  sentenced  to  be  hanged. 
January  24th  was  the  great  day  appointed  for  his  execution,  and  the 
whole  community  turned  out  to  witness  the  terrible  scene.  He  was 
placed  on  a  ladder  in  the  fort,  with  two  strong  halters  about  his  neck. 
The  fatal  signal  was  given,  the  ladder  pulled  from  under  him,  when  both 
ropes  broke,  and  the  negro  fell  to  the  ground.  The  bystanders  cried  so 
loudly  for  pardon  that  the  governor  granted  the  culprit  his  life,  under  a 
pledge  of  future  good  conduct. 

Kieft  was  constantly  issuing  new  municipal  regulations,  and 

J  °  April  11. 

there  was  great  need.    We  find,  under  date  of  April  11th,  one 
by  which  "  the  tapping  of  beer  during  divine  service,  and  after  one  o'clock 
at  night,"  was  forbidden ;  whereat  the  Dutch  were  as  much  exercised  as 
their  German  cousins  have  been  in  later  times.    He  also  took  measures 
to  prevent  the  deterioration  of  the  currency,  which  was  in  a  mixed  state. 


96 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


The  coins  of  Europe  were  rarely  seen  here.    Wampum  was  in  use,  but 
April  is.  bad  no  standard  value,  until  he  fixed  it  by  a  law.    To  promote 
sept.  5.  agricidture,  the  governor  established  two  fairs  to  be  held  annu- 
ally; one  of  cattle  on  the  15th  of  October,  and  one  of  hogs  on  the  1st 
of  November. 

In  March  of  that  year,  Myndert  Myndertsen  Van  der  Horst  secured  a 
plantation,  about  an  bour's  walk  from  Vriesendael,  where  De  Vriea  was 
busy  putting  up  buildings,  planning  orchards  and  gardens,  and  making 
his  property  singularly  attractive.  It  extended  north  from  Newark  Bay 
towards  Tappaen,  including  the  valley  of  the  Hackinsack  River ;  the 
headquarters  of  the  settlement  being  only  five  or  six  hundred  paces  from 
the  village  of  the  Hackinsack  Indians.1  Van  der  Hoist's  people  immedi- 
ately erected  a  small  fort,  to  be  garrisoned  by  a  few  soldiers.  In  Au- 
gust, Cornelis  Melyn  returned  to  New  Amsterdam  with  a  full-fledged 
grant  from  the  West  India  Company  to  settle  on  Staten  Island.  This 
astonished  De  Vries,  who  knew  that  the  company  was  aware  of  his  own 
purchase  of  the  whole  of  that  property.  Kieft,  who  had  his  distillery 
and  a  buckskin  manufactory  already  there,  persuaded  the  liberal-minded 
patroon  to  permit  Melyn  to  establish  a  plantation  near  the  Narrows,  and 
then  conferred  upon  the  spirited  Belgian  a  formal  patent  as  patroon  over 
all  the  island  not  reserved  by  De  Vries.  A  small  redoubt  was  immedi- 
ately erected  upon  the  eastern  headland,  where  a  flag  was  raised  when- 
ever a  vessel  arrived  in  the  lower  bay.  This  is  the  first  record  of  a  marine 
telegraph  in  New  York  Harbor.2 

*  The  name  of  the  Indian  tribe  was  Achkinkeshacky,  which  was  corrupted  by  the  early 
settlers  into  Hackinsack. 

De  Vries,  11  N.  Y.  H.  S.  Col,  I.  264.  O'Callaghan  I.  228,  229.  Brodhead,  I.  314. 
Albany  Records. 


First  Marine  Telegraph. 


INDIAN  VENGEANCE. 


97 


CHAPTER  VII. 

1641  - 1643. 

INDIAN  VENGEANCE. 

Indian  Vengeance.  —  The  First  Popular  Assembly.  —  Kieft's  Disappointment.  — 
Death  of  Peter  Minuet.  — Effort  of  the  "Twelve  Men"  to  Institute  Re- 
forms. —  The  Governor's  Proclamation.  —  The  Dutch  and  English.  —  Discus- 
sion of  the  Boundary  Question.  —  A  Flaw  in  the  Title  to  New  Netherland. 
—  Religious  Persecution.  —  The  First  Tavern.  —  The  New  Church.  —  Raising 
Money  at  a  Wedding. — The  First  English  Secretary.  —  "The  Year  of 
Blood."  —  The  Blood  Atonement.  —  The  Shrovetide  Dinner-Party.  —  The 
Inhuman  Massacre.  —  General  Uprising  of  the  Indians.  —  Overtures  for 
Peace.  —  The  Hollow  Truce.  —  The  Second  Representative  Body.  —  A  Page 
of  Horrors. 


BY  this  time  the  effects  of  Kieft's  imprudences  with  the  Indians 
were  fast  becoming  apparent.    The  Earitans  cajoled  him  with 
peaceful  messages,  but  suddenly  attacked  De  Vries's  unprotected  planta- 
tion on  Staten  Island,  killed  four  of  his  planters  and  burned  all  i64i. 
his  buildings.    Folly  begets  folly.    The  governor  no  sooner  heard  June, 
how  the  Raritans  had  avenged  their  wrongs,  than  he  determined  upon 
their  extermination.    In  an  ostentatious  proclamation,  he  offered 
a  bounty  of  ten  fathoms  of  wampum  for  the  head  of  any  or  July4' 
every  one  of  the  tribe,  and  twenty  fathoms  for  each  head  of  the  actual 
murderers.    Some  of  the  River  Indians  were  incited  by  these  bounties, 
and  attacked  the  Raritans.    In  the  autumn,  a  chief  of  the  Haverstraw 
tribe  came  one  day  in  triumph  to  the  fort,  and  exhibited  a  dead  man's 
hand  hanging  on  a  stick,  which  he  presented  to  Kieft,  as  the  hand  of 
the  chief  who  had  killed  the  Dutch. 

Meanwhile  blood  had  been  shed  on  the  island  of  Manhattan. 

Aug. 

An  old  man,  Claes  Smits,  lived  in  a  little  house  near  Deutal  Bay, 
and  worked  at  the  trade  of  a  wheelwright.  The  nephew  of  the  Indian 
who  was  murdered  near  the  Fresh  "Water  Pond  during  Minuet's  adminis- 
tration, and  who,  as  a  boy,  had  sworn  vengeance,  went  to  the  old  man's 
house  under  pretense  of  bartering  some  beaver-skins  for  duffels,  and, 
7 


98 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OP  iVEW  YORK. 


while  the  unsuspecting  Smits  was  stooping  over  the  great  chest  in  which 
he  kept  his  goods,  the  savage  seized  an  ax  and  killed  him  with  one  blow, 
then  plundered  the  house  and  escaped.  Kieft  sent  at  once  to  the  chief 
of  the  Weekquaesgeek  tribe,  to  demand  satisfaction.  The  latter  refused 
to  give  up  the  criminal,  on  the  ground  that  he  was  but  an  avenger,  after 
the  manner  of  his  race.    Some  soldiers  were  then  sent  out  from 

Aug  20 

'  the  fort  to  arrest  the  assassin,  but  they  could  not  find  him. 
Kieft  was  exasperated  and  would  have  openly  declared  war,  careless 
of  probable  consequences,  had  not  some  of  his  friends  told  him  of  the 
state  of  public 
feeling,  and  how 
the  people  ac- 
cused him  of 
aiming  to  provoke 
hostilities  on  pur- 
pose to  make  "  a 
wrong  reckoning 
with  the  com- 
pany";  even 
charging  him  with 
personal  coward- 
ice, for  they  said, 
"  He    knew  full 

Well  that  he  COuld  Du,ch  Architecture      N««  Amsterdam. 

secure  his  own  life  in  a  good  fort."    He,  therefore,  paused  in  his  mad 
course,  and  summoned  together  all  the  patroons,  masters,  and 
Aug'23-  heads  of  families  in  the  vicinity  to  the  fort,  "to  resolve  upon 
something  of  the  first  necessity."    This  was  the  pioneer  of  popular  meet- 
ings upon  Manhattan  Island. 

When  the  people  assembled  on  the  day  appointed,  the  governor 
Aug.  28.  gumnjtte(}  three  propositions. 

1st.  "Was  it  not  just  that  the  recent  murder  of  Claes  Smits  should  be 
avenged  by  destroying  the  Indian  village  where  the  murderer  belonged,  if  he  was 
not  given  up  1 " 

2d.  "  In  what  manner  ought  this  to  he  accomplished  1 " 

3d.  "  By  whom  should  it  be  effected  1 " 

The  assembly,  after  some  preamble  and  a  grave  discussion  of  the  ques- 
tions, chose  twelve  men  out  of  their  number  to  co-operate  with  the  gov- 
ernor and  council.  The  names  of  this  first  representative  body  were  : 
Captain  De  Vries,  Jacques  Bentyn,  Jan  Dam,  Hendrick  Jansen,  Jacob 


KIEFTS  DISAPPOINTMENT. 


99 


Stoffelsen,  Maryn  Adriaensen,  Abram  Molenaer,  Frederick  Lubbertsen, 
Jochem  Pietersen,  Gerrit  Dircksen,  George  Kapaelje,  and  Abram  Planck. 
De  Vries  was  chosen  president.  Their  counsel  was  for  preserving  peace 
with  the  Indians  as  long  as  possible.  They  believed  the  murder  should 
be  avenged,  but  thought  "  God  and  the  opportunity  "  ought  to  be  consid- 
ered. The  Dutch  were  scattered  all  about  the  country,  and  the  cattle 
were  in  the  woods.  It  was  impolitic  to  get  involved  in  war  with  the 
Indians,  while  there  was  no  adequate  means  of  defense.  They,  therefore, 
recommended  that  the  governor  send  again,  yea,  for  the  second  or  third 
time,  until  he  obtained  the  surrender  of  the  prisoner,  that  he  might  pun- 
ish him  as  he  should  see  fit. 

Kieft  was  greatly  dissatisfied  with  their  verdict.  He  had  not  willingly 
made  this  concession  to  popular  rights,  but  rather  by  force  of  circum- 
stances, and  to  serve  as  "  a  cloak  of  protection  from  responsibility  or 
censure  " ;  for  he  fully  intended  to  attack  the  Indians,  and  chafed  under 
the  hindrance  which  was  thus  put  in  his  way.  Before  winter  set 
in  he  called  the  "  Twelve  Men  "  together  again,  to  confer  upon  the 
same  subject,  and  again  they  counseled  patience.  De  Vries  was  opposed 
to  war  with  the  Indians  under  any  circumstances.  He  reminded 
the  governor  of  the  sentiments  of  the  Amsterdam  Chamber,  whose 
order  had  been  distinctly  expressed,  "  Keep  peace  with  the  savages  " ; 
and  the  uneasy  and  indiscreet  chief  magistrate  was  silenced,  but  not 
convinced. 

During  the  spring  prior  to  these  events,  the  English  at  New 
Haven  had  made  an  effort  to  appropriate  a  portion  of  the  Dutch  * 
territory  on  the  South  Puver.  Some  fifty  families  in  all  had  become 
dissatisfied  with  their  Connecticut  River  homes,  on  account  of  the  sick- 
liness of  the  climate,  and  with  their  effects  sailed,  about  the  first  of  April, 
in  a  ship  belonging  to  George  Lambertsen,  a  New  Haven  merchant,  and 
put  into  New  Amsterdam  on  their  way  South  to  communicate  their 
designs  to  the  Dutch  authorities.  Kieft  warned  them  not  to  build  or 
plant  within  the  limits  of  New  Netherland,  and  they  promised  to  select 
some  spot  over  which  the  States-General  had  no  authority.  They  were 
allowed  to  go  on  their  way,  and  shortly  after  fortified  a  post  on  the 
Schuylkill 

In  December,  news  came  of  the  death  of  Peter  Minuet,  who  had 
guarded  his  little  Swedish  colony  well  for  three  years,  although 
they  had  once  or  twice  suffered  great  privations.    They  had  been 
reinforced  by  a  party  of  Dutch  from  Holland,  and  also  by  a  deputation 
of  Swedes,  who  purchased  additional  lands  from  the  Indians,  and,  in 
token  of  the  sovereignty  of  their  queen,  set  up  "the  arms  and  crown 


100  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


of  Sweedland."  Peter  Hollaendare,  a  Swede,  succeeded  to  the  chief 
government  after  the  death  of  Minuet. 
1642.  As  soon  as  the  rivers  were  frozen  over,  Kieft  summoned  the 
Jan.  21.  « Twelve  Men  "  into  council  the  third  time,  and  insisted  upon 
their  acceding  to  his  wishes  in  relation  to  the  Indians.  As  the  murderer 
had  not  heen  given  up,  they  yielded,  though  reluctantly.  Their  assistance 
in  the  matter  was  promised  only  on  condition  that  the  governor  should 
lead  the  expedition  in  person,  and  that  the  expenses  of  it,  and  the 
necessary  care  of  the  wounded  men  and  their  families  afterward,  shoidd 
he  defrayed  by  the  company. 

During  the  same  session,  the  "  Twelve  Men  "  took  occasion  to  demai id 
certain  reforms  in  the  government.  In  the  Fatherland,  domineering 
arrogance  was  restrained  by  the  system  of  rotation  in  office.  The 
self-reliant  men  who  had  won  their  country  from  the  sea,  and  their  lib- 
erties from  the  relaxing  grasp  of  feudal  prerogative,  knew  that  they 
could  govern  themselves,  and  they  did  govern  themselves.  The 
"  Twelve,"  who  now  sat  in  judgment,  were  of  the  same  stock,  distin- 
guished not  only  by  talent,  but  by  local  experience ;  and  although  they 
had  voluntarily  pledged  themselves  to  submit  to  the  government  of  the 
West  India  Company,  they  believed  it  to  have  been  more  by  neglect  than 
ill-will  that  such  a  conceited  little  potentate  had  been  placed  over  them, 
and  they  knew  him  to  be  unworthy  of  so  much  trust.  He  had  often  been 
heard  to  compare  himself  to  the  Prince  of  Orange,  as  above  the  law  ; 
but  the  grievance  which  caused  the  most  feeling  was  the  mock  council, 
which  in  reality  was  no  council  at  all.  He  appointed  all  public  officers, 
except  such  as  came  with  commissions  from  Holland,  made  laws,  imposed 
taxes,  levied  fines,  inflicted  penalties,  incorporated  towns,  and  could  affect 
the  price  of  any  man's  property  at  pleasure  by  changing"  the  value  of 
wampum.  He  also  decided  all  civil  and  criminal  questions  without  the 
aid  of  jury,  and  settled  controversies  and  appeals  from  inferior  courts. 
The  memorial,  which  had  been  previously  prepared,  was  presented,  with 
all  due  deference,  to  the  governor.  It  called  for  an  addition  of  four  men 
to  the  council,  two  of  whom  should  be  chosen  each  year  from  the  "  Twelve 
Men"  elected  by  the  people,  and  demanded  that  judicial  proceedings 
should  be  had  only  before  a  full  board ;  that  the  militia  should  be  mus- 
tered annually ;  that  the  people  should  have  the  same  privilege  as  in  Hol- 
land of  visiting  vessels  from  abroad,  and  the  right  to  trade  in  neighboring 
places  subject  to  the  duties  of  the  company ;  that  the  English  should  be 
prohibited  from  selling  cattle  within  the  province,  and  that  the  value  of 
the  currency  should  be  considerably  increased. 

Kieft  was  confounded.    He  regretted  exceedingly  having  made  any 


TEE  GOVERNOR'S  PROCLAMATION. 


101 


show  of  parliamentary  government.  But  he  was  also  politic,  and  he 
replied  to  the  assembly  that  he  expected  a  complete  council  in  one  of 
the  first  ships  from  Holland,  and  graciously  acceded  to  all  the  other 
requirements,  without,  however,  fulfilling  a  single  promise.  Then  he 
wound  up  the  meeting  adroitly  by  telling  the  gentlemen  that  they  had 
never  been  invested  with  greater  powers  than  to  give  advice  respecting 
the  murder  of  Claes  Smits. 

A  short  time  afterward,  the  following  poster  appeared  in  various  ^ 
places :  — 

"  Whereas,  The  people  have  at  our  request  commissioned  '  Twelve  Men '  to 
communicate  their  good  council  and  advice  concerning  the  murder  of  Claes 
Smits,  which  now  being  done,  we  thank  them  for  the  trouble  they  have  taken, 
and  shall  make  use  of  their  written  advice,  with  God's  help  and  fitting  time ; 
and  we  propose  no  more  meetings,  as  such  tend  to  dangerous  consequences,  and 
to  the  great  injury,  both  of  the  country  and  of  our  authority  ;  —  we,  therefore, 
do  hereby  forbid  the  calling  of  any  assemblies  or  meetings,  of  whatever  sort, 
without  our  express  order,  on  pain  of  punishment  for  disobedience. 

"Done  in  Fort  Amsterdam,  February  18th,  1642,  in  New  Netherland. 

"  WlLHELM  KlEFT." 

Having  disposed  of  the  "  Twelve  Men,"  Kieft  made  preparations 
and   dispatched  a  party  of  eighty  soldiers,  under  Ensign  Van 
Dyck,  against  the  Weekquaesgeeks,  with  orders  to  exterminate  them  by 
fire  and  sword.    The  guide  professed  to  know  the  way  to  the  Indian 
village,  but  he  lost  the  track  just  at  ni  rlitfall ;  and,  as  they  had  crossed 
the  Harlem  Eiver  with  no  little  difficulty,  the  commanding  officer  finally 
lost  his  temper,  and  the  twin  losses  resulted  in  an  overwhelming  gain, 
for  the  party  returned  to  New  Amsterdam  innocent  of  the  death  of  a 
single  Indian.    The  mortifying  failure  enraged  the  governor ;  but  the 
Indians  were  quick  to  discover  the  trail  of  the  soldiers,  and  were  so  much 
alarmed  as  to  come  at  once  to  New  Amsterdam  and  sue  for  peace. 
A  treaty  was  concluded  with  them,  one  of  the  stipulations  of 
which  was  the  surrender  of  the  murderer,  —  a  promise  which,  either  from 
unwillingness  or  inability,  was  never  fulfilled. 

This  treaty  was  scarcely  concluded  before  rumors  were  afloat  that  the 
Connecticut  savages  were  planning  to  destroy  the  colonists  throughout 
New  England.  Hartford  and  New  Haven  concerted  measures  of  defence, 
and  anxiety  and  alarm  were  everywhere  felt.  Under  these  circumstances 
the  settlers  at  Greenwich  thought  it  wise,  as  a  measure  of  self- 

April  9 

protection,  to  submit  themselves  to  the  government  of  New  Neth- 
erland;  and  Captain  Patrick  and  his  friends,  after  swearing  allegiance, 
were  invested  with  all  the  rights  of  patroons.    But  the  difficulties  be- 


102 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


tween  the  Dutch  garrison  and  the  English  at  Hartford  continued ;  and 
A  ril3  Kieft,  rinding  that  his  protests  were  of  no  effect,  prohibited  all  trade 
and  commercial  intercourse  with  the  Hartford  people.    He  soon 
after  heard  that  the  New  Haven  party,  who  went  to  the  South 

May  15. 

River,  were  living  upon  the  company's  lands  without  his  permis- 
sion. He  immediately  dispatched  two  sloops  with  a  strong  force  to  require 

them  to  withdraw,  and,  in  case  of  refusal,  to  arrest  them  and  de- 
May  ^  stroy  their  trading-posts.  These  orders  were  executed  so  promptly 
that  the  English  had  not  two  hours  to  prepare  for  their  departure,  and 
they  were  brought  with  their  goods  to  New  Netherland,  and  afterwards 
landed  at  New  Haven.  The  excitement  on  the  subject  there  was  intense ; 
particularly  after  Lambertsen,  who  was  considered  by  the  Dutch  as  the 
principal  instigator  of  the  injury  to  their  trade,  had  been  compelled, 

while  passing  New  Amsterdam,  to  give  an  account  of  what  pel- 
Aug.  28.  ^Yies  ke  na(j  obtained  on  the  Delaware,  and  to  pay  duties  on 
them  all. 

The  Hartford  authorities  found  the  prohibition  against  intercourse  with 
the  New  Amsterdam  settlers  very  inconvenient,  to  say  the  least, 
Ka,y  U'  and  finally  sent  a  committee  to  confer  with  Kieft  on  the  subject. 
He  received  them  pompously,  conceded  nothing,  talked  about  the  an- 
tiquity of  the  Dutch  title  to  the  country  on  the  Connecticut  River,  and 
graciously  offered  to  lease  to  them  a  portion  of  the  lands  there,  on 
certain  terms.  The  ambassadors  went  home  t»  report,  having  accom- 
plished no  part  of  their  mission.  Both  the  Hartford  and  the  New 
Haven  people  were  more  incensed  than  ever,  and  vented  their  annoyance 
upon  every  Dutch  man  or  woman  who  came  in  their  way.  The  agents 
from  New  England  who  went  to  London  about  that  time  brought  the 
subject  into  general  notice  there,  and  it  was  discussed  with  no  little 
acrimony  by  the  courtiers  of  Charles  I.  Lord  Say  told  the  Dutch  Min- 
ister that  the  conduct  of  the  New-Netherlanders  w  as  haughty  and  unbear- 
able in  the  extreme,  and  dropped  a  few  meaning  hints  in  regard  to  their 
being  forcibly  ejected  from  the  Connecticut  Valley,  if  the  difficulties  were 
not  shortly  arranged.  The  Dutch  Minister  wrote  to  his  government;  the 
States-General  took  the  matter  up,  and  much  bitterness  appears  in  the 
subsequent  correspondence,  although,  as  in  previous  instances,  the  ques- 
tion was  left  unsettled. 

It  is  a  singular  fact  that,  while  the  Dutch  in  New  Netherland  were  at 
this  time  so  few  in  proportion  to  their  wide  and  fine  territory,  the 
English  had  spread  themselves  over  a  great  part  of  New  England,  and 
were,  to  all  outward  appearances,  far  the  more  prosperous.  In  natural 
advantages  New  Netherland  immeasurably  outrivaled  New  England, 


DISCUSSION  OF  THE  BOUNDARY  QUESTION.  .  103 


and  the  difference  in  the  progress  of  the  two  colonies  may  be  traced 
directly  to  the  want  of  wisdom  by  which  the  statesmen  at  the  Hague 
endowed  a  commercial  corporation  with  the  maintenance  of  a  depend- 
ency for  their  own  material  gain.  New  England  was  founded  in  religious 
persecution.  As  it  could  contribute  little  resource  to  the  mother-coun- 
try, under  any  circumstances,  it  was  allowed  to  work  out  its  own  combi- 
nations of  policy  in  Church  and  State.  The  mere  facts  of  a  colonial 
condition  tend  to  entail  the  same  species  of  subjection  which  ordinarily 
appertains  to  infancy  in  a  family ;  but  the  New  England  colony  stands 
out  exceptional  in  history,  as  having  elicited  no  particular  interest  in  any 
quarter  of  the  Old  World  as  to  its  possible  future  value,  and  religious 
controversies  and  religious  education  occupied  a  reading  population  who 
were  content  with  a  bare  living,  and  stood  quite  aloof  from  mercantile 
speculations.  On  the  other  hand,  New  Netherland  was  treated  solely 
as  an  investment  for  the  eventual  accumulation  of  wealth  at  home, 
while  at  the  same  time  the  enormous  monopoly  of  the  West  India 
Company  comprehended  interests  in  comparison  with  which  the  im- 
mediate affairs  of  a  little  State  were  esteemed  insignificant. 

When  the  New-Englanders  crossed  the  supposed  boundary  lines,  the 
Dutch  in  power  wondered  why  their  impotent  protests  were  unheeded. 
Those  protests  were  based  upon  the  supposed  right  of  the  West  India 
Company  to  the  territory  which  they  claimed,  and  the  quarrels  thus  en- 
gendered produced  some  interesting  state  papers.  Later,  John  De  Witt 
made  the  most  strenuous  efforts  to  establish  a  good  understanding  with 
Oliver  Cromwell,  and  sent  some  of  his  ablest  diplomatists  to  the  Protec- 
tor's court.  The  subject  of  the  boundary  line  of  New  Netherland  at- 
tracted much  attention.  In  the  several  documents  which  were  drawn 
up  by  the  West  India  Company  to  substantiate  their  rights,  the  principal 
historical  statements  were  audacious  fictions,  and  the  writer  of  them  was 
evidently  aware  that  there  was  a  flaw  in  the  Dutch  title,  and  that,  in  a 
court  of  law,  not  a  foot  of  the  vast  territory  could  be  held  as  a  bona  fide 
possession.  The  Dutch  ministers  to  England  must  have  entertained  sim- 
ilar views,  judging  from  the  gingerly  care  with  which  they  handled  the 
delicate  and  perplexing  question. 

As  the  New  England  settlements  grew  more  rapidly,  and  their  in- 
stitutions received  more  attention  from  the  people  than  those  of  New 
Netherland,  so  also  did  the  spirit  of  intolerance  take  root  among  them, 
until  they  became  the  most  relentless  persecutors  of  the  age.  "  The 
arm  of  the  civil  government,"  says  Judge  Story,  "was  constantly  em- 
ployed in  support  of  the  denunciations  of  the  Church,  and,  without  its 
forms,  the  Inquisition  existed  in  substance,  with  a  full  share  of  its  terrors 


104 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


and  its  violence."  Many  important  families  were  driven  by  this  means 
into  finding  homes  elsewhere ;  and  not  a  few,  perceiving  the  larger  liberty 
of  opinion  which  would  be  vouchsafed  in  the  Dutch  dominion,  made 
application  to  Kieft,  and  were  welcomed  right  heartily,  being  required 
only  to  take  the  same  oath  of  allegiance  as  the  Dutch  subjects.  Roger 
Williams,  a  promising  young  minister,  whose  ideas  of  religious  liberty 
shocked  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  to  such  an  extent  that  they 
sentenced  him  to  perpetual  exile,  went  into  the  wilderness  of  Rhode 
Island  and  commenced  the  settlement  of  that  State.  That  was  as  early 
as  1635.  Others  were  banished  through  the  workings  of  the  same  pe- 
culiar ecclesiastical  system.  Annie  Hutchinson,  who  was  a  lady  of  rare 
cultivation,  and  styled  by  her  contemporaries  "a  masterpiece  of  wit 
and  wisdom,"  was  accused  of  "  weakening  the  hands  and  hearts  of  the 
people  towards  the  ministers,"  because  she  maintained  the  "  paramount 
authority  of  private  judgment."  She  was  worried  by  her  clerical  exam- 
iners for  several  hours,  although  the  verdict  had  evidently  been  agreed 
upon  before  the  session  commenced,  and  at  last  she  was  declared  "  unfit 
for  society,"  and  ordered  to  depart  from  the  province.  She  went,  at  first, 
to  Rhode  Island,  accompanied  by  quite  a  number  of  families  of  personal 
friends,  and  persons  of  the  same  phase  of  religious  belief.  But  fearing 
the  implacable  vengeance  of  Massachusetts  would  reach  her  even  there, 
she  removed  to  New  Netherland  in  1642,  selecting  for  her  residence 
the  point  now  known  as  Pelham  Neck,  near  New  Rochelle,  which  re- 
ceived the  name  of  "  Annie's  Hoeck."  1  Near  by  her  settled  John  Throg- 
mortou  and  thirty-five  English  families.  Kieft  granted  them  all  the 
franchises  which  the  charter  of  1640  allowed,  with  freedom  to  worship 
God  in  the  manner  which  suited  them  best. 

The  terms  were  so  agreeable  that  a  large  emigration  in  the  same  direc- 
tion would  have  speedily  set  in,  had  not  the  General  Court  of  Massa- 
chusetts taken  alarm,  and  sought  to  dissuade  their  own  citizens  from 
seeking  thus  to  strengthen  "  their  doubtful  Dutch  neighbors."  But  they 
went  on  with  their  political  and  moral  and  religious  instruction,  acting 
most  self-complacently  on  the  conviction  that  their  system  of  teaching 
was  the  very  best  in  the  world,  and  their  interpretation  of  the  Scriptures 
the  one  and  only  true  way  to  Heaven. 

When,  at  rare  intervals,  some  bold  progressionist  tried  to  open  the  eyes 
of  the  people  to  the  pretenses  of  pompous  ignorance  masked  in  the  guise 
of  scholarship  and  sanctity,  or  to  promulgate  some  new  tenet  or  article  of 
faith,  they  were  stricken  so  quickly  that  the  places  that  had  known 
them  knew  them  not  much  longer.    Rev.  Francis  Doughty  was  dragged 

•  Hocck  is  a  Dutch  word  signifying  point.    It  is  sometimes  spelt  Hock. 


THE  FIRST  TAVERN. 


105 


from  an  assembly  at  Cohasset  for  venturing  to  say  in  his  sermon  that 
"  Abraham's  children  should  have  been  baptized."  A  large  number  of 
his  friends  determined  to  join  him  on  a  pilgrimage  to  New  Netherland. 
They  bought  more  than  thirteen  thousand  acres  at  Newtown,  Long 
Island,  near  where  a  number  of  persons  from  Lynn  and  Ipswich  had 
settled  a  short  time  before.  For  this  large  landed  property  Kieft 
granted  them  an  absolute  ground-brief,  and  afforded  every  facility  in 
his  power  for  the  erection  of  substantial  houses  and  the  proper  cultiva- 
tion of  the  soil. 

These  accessions  to  the  population  of  New  Netherland  were  of  marked 
value  to  the  prosperity  of  the  province.  But  there  were  other 
arrivals  about  the  same  time  which  were  less  to  be  desired.  Apn113' 
A  great  number  of  fugitive  servants,  both  from  New  England  and 
Virginia,  flocked  into  New  Amsterdam,  trying  to  get  employment. 
They  were  full  of  mischief,  idle,  indolent,  and  dishonest,  and  occasioned 
great  trouble  and  complaint  among  the  people.  Kieft  found  it  neces- 
sary to  issue  new  police  regulations,  one  of  which  was  to  forbid  any 
family  giving  to  strangers  more  than  one  meal,  or  more  than  one  night's 
lodging,  without  first  sending  notice  of  the  same  to  the  governor. 

It  would  seem  that  visitors  had  hitherto  been  entertained  by  the 
citizens.  Noteworthy  persons  had  enjoyed  the  hospitality  of  the  gov- 
ernor himself.  The  growth  of  the  town,  and  the  increasing  number  of 
travelers,  rendered  this  a  great  inconvenience.  The  subject  of  building 
a  public  house  had  been  for  some  time  agitated,  and  Kieft  finally  con- 
cluded to  erect  it  at  the  company's  expense.  It  was  completed  this 
year,  a  great  clumsy  stone  tavern,  and  it  was  located  on  the  northeast 
corner  of  Pearl  Street  and  Coenties  Slip,  fronting  the  East  Eiver. 

A  short  time  after  this  famous  old  building  had  been  put  in  use, 
Captain  De  Vries  was  one  day  dining  with  the  governor,  as  was  his 
custom  when  he  happened  to  be  at  the  fort,  and,  in  the  course  of  con- 
versation, the  host  congratulated  himself  upon  the  architecture  and 
workmanship  of  the  new  edifice.  De  Vries  said  it  was,  indeed,  an  ex- 
cellent thing  for  travelers,  but  that  the  next  thing  they  wanted  was  a 
decent  church  for  the  people.  In  New  England,  the  first  thing  they  did, 
after  building  some  dwellings,  was  to  erect  a  fine  church;  and  now, 
when  the  English  passed  New  Amsterdam,  they  only  saw  a  "  mean 
barn,"  in  which  the  Dutch  worshiped  their  Creator.  The  West  India 
Company  had  the  credit  of  being  very  zealous  in  protecting  the  Eeformed 
Church  1  against  Spanish  tyranny,  and  there  was  no  reason  why  their 
settlements  should  not  be  supplied  with  church  edifices.     There  were 


106  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Stadthuys. 

materials  enough  at  hand,  —  fine  oak  timber  and  good  building  stone, 
and  lime  made  from  oyster-shells,  far  better  than  the  lime  in  Holland. 

Kieft  was  interested,  and  asked  who  would  like  to  superintend  such  a 
building  ? 

De  Vries  told  him  that  no  doubt  some  of  the  friends  of  the  Reformed 
religion  could  be  found  who  would  be  only  too  glad  to  do  so. 

Kieft,  smiling,  told  De  Vries  that  he  supposed  he  was  one  of  them, 
and  asked  if  he  would  contribute  one  hundred  guilders  to  the  enterprise. 

De  Vries  very  quickly  responded  in  the  affirmative;  and  then  they 
decided  that  Jochem  Pietersen  Kuyter,  who  was  a  good  Calvinist,  and 
had  plenty  of  workmen,  would  be  the  most  suitable  person  to  procure 
timber,  and  Jan  Jansen  Dam,  who  lived  near  the  fort,  should  be  the 
fourth  one  of  the  consistory  to  superintend  the  building.  The  governor 
promised  to  furnish  a  few  thousand  guilders  of  the  company's  money, 
and  the  rest  was  to  be  raised  by  private  subscription. 

A  few  days  afterward,  the  daughter  of  Dominie  Bogardus  was  mar- 
ried, and,  at  the  wedding  party,  the  governor  and  Captain  De 
Vries,  thinking  it  a  rare  opportunity  to  raise  the  requisite  amount 
of  funds,  took  advantage  of  the  good-humor  of  the  guests,  and  passed 
round  the  paper,  with  their  own  names  heading  the  list.  As  each  one 
present  desired  to  appear  well  in  the  eyes  of  his  neighbor,  a  handsome 


THE  FIRST  ENGLISH  SECRETARY. 


107 


sum  was  contributed.  In  the  morning,  some  few  appealed  to  the  gov- 
ernor for  permission  to  reconsider  the  matter  ;  but  his  Excellency  would 
permit  no  names  to  be  erased  from  the  paper. 

An  arrangement  was  at  once  effected  with  John  and  Kichard 

i        i  May  20. 

Oden-1  of  Stamford,  for  the  mason-work  of  a  stone  church,  sev- 
enty-two  feet  long,  fifty  wide,  and  sixteen  high,  at  one  thousand  dollars 
for  the  job,  and  a  gratuity  of  forty  dollars  more  should  the  work  be 

satisfactory.  The  agreement  was 
signed  and  sealed  on  the  20th  of 
May.  The  church  was  to  be  lo- 
cated in  the  fort,  that  it  might  not 
be  exposed  to  Indian  depreda- 
tions ;  although  many  objected,  on 
the  ground  that  the  fort  was  over- 
crowded already.  The  walls  were 
soon  up,  and  the  roof  covered  with 
oak  shingles,  which,  from  exposure 
to  the  weather,  became  blue  like 

Inside  of  Fort,  with  Governor's  House,  and  Church. 

slate.    Kieft  caused  to  be  erected 
in  the  front  wall  a  marble  slab  with  this  inscription  :  — - 

"Anno  Domini,  1642, 
Wilhelm  Kieft  Directeur  General. 
Heeft  de  gemeente  desen  tempel  doen  bouwen." 

When  the  fort  was  demolished,  in  1787,  to  make  room  for  the  Govern- 
ment House;  this  slab  was  discovered  buried  in  the  earth,  and  was  re- 
moved to  the  belfry  of  the  old  Dutch  Church  in  Garden  Street,  where  it 
remained  until  the  burning  of  that  church,  in  1835,  when  it  totally  dis- 
appeared. 

It  was  now  becoming  necessary  to  observe  regularity  in  drawing- 
boundary  and  division  lines ;  hence  Andries  Hudde  was  appointed  sur- 
veyor, with  a  salary  of  eighty  dollars  per  annum  and  a  few  additional 
fees.  The  first  record  of  the  sale  of  city  lots,  we  find  this  year.  There 
is  one  extant,  showing  that  Abraham  Van  Steenwyck  sells  to  Anthony 
Van  Fees  a  lot  on  Bridge  Street,  thirty  feet  front  by  one  hundred  and  ten 
deep,  for  the  sum  of  nine  dollars  and  sixty  cents  ! 2 

The  influx  into  the  Dutch  settlements  of  persons  who  spoke  only 
the  English  language  occasioned  no  little  embarrassment.    Kieft  himself 

1  These  Ogdens  were  the  ancestors  of  the  present  families  of  that  name  in  New  York  and 
New  Jersey.    Alb.  Rec,  III.  81.    O'Cullayhan,  I.  261,  262.    N.  Y.  H.  S.  Col,  II.  293. 
s  The  street  was  not  then  named. 
7 


108  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


could  speak  it  fluently,  but  many  of  his  officers  did  not  understand  a 
word,  and  it  was  finally  thought  best  to  have  an  official  interpreter. 
George  Baxter  received  the  appointment,  at  an  annual  salary  of  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  guilders. 

Meanwhile,  Adrian  Van  der  Donck,  a  lineal  descendant  of  Adrian  Van 
Bergen,  a  graduate  of  Leyden  University,  and  a  man  of  acknowledged 
scholarship,  had,  in  1641,  leased  the  westerly  half  of  Castle  Island. 
He  was  appointed  sheriff'  of  the  colony  at  Bensselaerswick,  and  spe- 
cially instructed  to  repress  the  spirit  of  lawlessness  which  seemed  to 
pervade  that  district.  He  went  to  work  energetically.  He  made  it  his 
first  business  to  induce  the  patroon  to  send  over  the  learned  clergyman, 
Dr  Johannes  Megapolensis,  "  for  the  edifying  improvement  of  the  inhabi- 
tants and  Indians  thereabouts."  The  Amsterdam  Chamber  approved  the 
call ;  the  reverend  gentleman  was  promised  a  new  church  and  parsonage, 
and  a  small  theological  library,  together  with  an  annual  salary  of  one 
thousand  guilders.    A  number  of  families  accompanied  him  to  his  new 

field  of  labor.  They  arrived  at  New  Amsterdam  in  August,  1642. 
August  i.  ■prom  tkaj.  p0mj.  yau  Rensselaer  had  requested  that  the  further 
transportation  of  the  party  should  be  left  entirely  to  the  advice  and  dis- 
cretion of  Kieft,  to  whom  he  sent,  as  a  present  for  his  trouble,  a  hand- 
some saddle  and  bridle.  To  obviate  as  much  as  possible  the  dangers  of 
life  among  the  Indians,  the  patroon  required  that  all  his  colonists,  except 
the  farmers  and  tobacco-planters,  should  live  near  each  other,  so  as  to 
form  a  church  neighborhood.  Ships  sometimes  remained  at  Manhattan 
a  fortnight  before  news  of  their  arrival  reached  Rensselaerswick ;  but  in 
this  instance  prompt  measures  were  resorted  to,  and  by  the  11th  of 
the  month  tbe  names  of  the  new  settlers  had  been  registered  at  their 
destination  by  Arendt  Van  Corlear,  the  commissary. 

It  was  about  the  same  time  that  intelligence  of  the  capture  of  some 
au  n  ^rencn  missionaries  by  the  Iroquois  reached  Fort  Orange.  With 

characteristic  Dutch  benevolence,  Van  Corlear  and  two  stout- 
hearted friends  went  on  horseback  to  the  Mohawk  country  to  attempt 
their  rescue.  They  carried  presents,  which  were  thankfully  received  bj 
the  great  warriors,  who  saluted  them  with  musket-shots  from  each  <>l 
their  castles  as  they  approached,  led  them  witli  turkeys  during  their  stay, 
and  seemed  greatly  pleased  with  their  visit.  Van  Corlear  invited  the 
chief's  into  council,  and  urged  the  release  of  their  prisoners,  one  of  whom 
was  a  celebrated  Jesuit  scholar.  Their  reply  was,  *'  We  shall  show  you 
every  friendship  in  our  power,  but  on  tins  subject  we  shall  be  silent." 
Several  days  were  spent  to  no  purpose.  Six  hundred  guilders'  worth  of 
goods  were  offered  for  the  Frenchmen's  ransom,  and  coldly  refused.  Van 


THE  BLOOD  ATONEMENT. 


109 


Corlear's  eloquence  only  elicited  from  the  Indians  a  promise  not  to  kill 
their  prisoners ;  and  then  the  battled  diplomats  set  out  for  Fort  Orange, 
conducted  by  an  embassy  of  ten  armed  savages.  They  had  hardly  de- 
parted from  the  encampment,  when  the  restrained  braves  clamored  for 
blood,  and  one  of  the  Frenchmen  was  struck  dead  with  a  tomahawk ; 
but  the  life  of  Father  Jacques  was  spared,  although  his  subsequent  suf- 
ferings, throughout  a  dreary  winter,  among  a  class  of  vindictive  savages, 
who  hated  the  cross  and  reviled  his  holy  zeal,  were  most  intense. 

The  year  that  followed  was  emphatically  "  a  year  of  blood."  It 
was  ushered  in  with  the  wildest  stories  of  a  general  war  by  the 
New  England  and  New  Netherland  Indians  against  the  English  and  the 
Dutch.  If  a  benighted  traveler  halloed  in  the  woods,  a  panic  was  im- 
mediately caused,  lest  savages  were  torturing  some  captive.  The  fireside 
gossips  contributed  greatly  to  the  general  anxiety  and  terror  by  accusing 
the  Indians  of  trying  to  poison  and  bewitch  those  in  authority.  Thought- 
ful men  censured  Kieft  severely  for  having  allowed  the  colonists  to  settle 
wherever  they  liked,  all  over  the  country,  so  that  now  they  were  almost 
entirely  defenseless.  He  had  done  nothing  to  prepare  them  for  war;  he 
had  not  even  a  sufficient  stock  of  powder  to  allow  each  colonist  a  half- 
pound,  if  it  should  be  required. 

And  war,  with  all  its  horrors,  was  on  the  wing.  It  came  soon, 
surely  and  swiftly.  Captain  De  Vries,  while  rambling  through 
the  woods  near  his  plantation  at  Vriesendael,  met  a  drunken  Indian. 
The  savage  stroked  the  patroon  over  his  arms,  in  token  of  friendship,  and 
called  him  "  a  good  chief,"  and  then  said  he  had  come  from  Van  der 
Horst's  place  at  Hackinsack,  where  they  had  sold  him  brandy,  and  stolen 
his  beaver  coat.  The  enraged  savage  vowed  a  bloody  revenge,  and  the 
peace-loving  De  Vries  tried  in  vain  to  soothe  him.  Before  night,  he  had 
shot  Garret  Jansen  Van  Vorst,  who  was  thatching  the  roof  of  one  of 
Van  der  Horst's  houses.  The  chiefs  of  the  Hackinsacks  and  Recka- 
wancks  hurried  to  Vriesendael  to  tell  the  news,  and  counsel  with  De 
Vries,  whom  they  held  in  the  highest  esteem  :  they  would  have  gone  to 
the  governor,  but  were  afraid  he  might  detain  them  as  prisoners.  De 
Vries,  however,  assured  them  that  the  latter  would  be  best,  and  accom- 
panied them  in  person  to  the  fort,  where  they  made  their  confession,  and 
offered  two  hundred  fathoms  of  wampum,  a  blood  atonement  of  money,  as 
a  purchase  for  peace.  This  universal  custom  among  the  Indians  of  North 
America  was  in  singular  accordance  with  the  usages  of  Greece  :  — 

"  If  a  brother  bleed, 
On  just  atonement  we  remit  the  deed  ; 
A  sire  the  slaughter  of  the  son  forgives, 
The  price  of  blood  discharged,  the  murderer  lives." 


110 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


The  chiefs  deplored  the  murder,  but  pleaded  for  the  murderer.  They 
told  Kieft  that  he  was  the  son  of  a  chief ;  that  brandy  should  not  have 
been  sold  him,  for  he  was  not  used  to  it,  and  it  crazed  him.  "  Even  your 
own  men,"  they  said,  "  get  drunk  and  fight  with  knives  ;  if  you  will  sell 
no  more  strong  drink  to  the  Indians,  you  will  have  no  more  murders,"  — 
an  early  warning  which  the  whites  would  have  done  well  to  observe,  even 
to  this  day.  Kieft  refused  to  accept  any  expiation  less  than  the  head  of 
the  fugitive,  and  the  Indians  would  not  bind  themselves  to  surrender 
him;  for  they  said  he  had  gone  two  days'  journey  away  among  the 
Tankitekes,  and  it  would  be  impossible  to  overtake  him.  The  governor 
immediately  sent  a  peremptory  message  to  Pacham,  the  chief  of  the  Tan- 
kitekes, for  the  surrender  of  the  criminal. 

Before  the  demand  could  possibly  have  been  acceded  to,  under 

Feb.  19.  r  J 

any  circumstances,  a  band  of  Mohawks  made  a  descent  upon  the 
Weekquaesgeek  and  Tappaen  tribes,  for  the  purpose  of  levying  tribute. 
These  Indians  were  terror-stricken,  and  came  flying,  half  naked,  to  the 
Dutch  for  protection,  leaving  seventy  of  their  number  dead  and  many  of 
their  women  and  children  captives.  They  were  kindly  received  in  New 
Amsterdam.  They  seemed  to  have  almost  supreme  faith  in  the  superior 
power  of  the  white  man,  —  a  confidence  which,  by  a  wise  policy,  might 
have  been  strengthened.  But  public  sentiment  was  divided.  De  Vries,  at 
the  head  of  one  party,  breathed  kindness  and  caution  in  every  syllable  he 
uttered.  Others  sympathized  with  Kieft  in  his  insane  wish  to  extermi- 
nate the  savages.  Some  inkling  of  the  state  of  feeling  must  have  reached 
the  Indians,  for  they  suddenly  scattered  in  various  directions ;  some  flying 
to  Pavonia,  some  to  Vriesendael,  and  some  to  Corlear's  bouwery. 

A  few  days  after,  there  was  a  Shrovetide  dinner-parly  at  the 

e  ' 24  house  of  Jan  Jansen  Dam,  the  governor  being  present ;  and  nearly 
every  person  in  the  company  became  merry  with  wine.  The  chief  topic 
of  conversation  was  the  Indians.  Secretary  Van  Tienhoven,  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  Dam,  Adriaensen,  and  Planck,  drew  up  a  petition  to  the  gov- 
ernor, urging  in  the  name  of  the  "Twelve  Men"  an  immediate  attack  upon 
the  defenseless  savages,  "  whom  God  had  thus  delivered  into  their  hands." 
The  paper  was  no  sooner  read,  than  Kieft,  in  a  significant  toast,  an- 
nounced approaching  hostilities.  His  next  move  was  to  dispatch  Van  Tien- 
hoven and  Corporal  Hans  Steen  to  Pavonia,  to  reconnoiter  the  situation. 

Consternation  quickly  took  the  place  of  hilarity.  Dominie  Bogardus 
hastened  to  the  governor,  sharply  reproved  him  for  his  "hot-headed 
rashness,"  and  foretold  certain  consequences.  The  usually  unmoved  and 
dignified  I  )r.  La  Montague  pleaded  with  Kieft  excitedly,  for  a  postpone- 
ment of  his  terrible  purpose.    "Wait,  fur  God's  sake,"  he  exclaimed, 


GENERAL  UPRISING  OF  THE  INDIANS. 


Ill 


"  until  the  arrival  of  the  next  ship  from  Holland  !  "  Captain  De  Vries 
raised  his  voice  in  anxious  entreaty,  and  also  in  persuasive  argument. 
He  told  Kieft  that  the  petition  was  not  from  the  "  Twelve  Men  " ;  only 
three  had  signed  it ;  all  the  rest  were  opposed  to  such  a  dangerous  pro- 
ceeding. Words,  however,  were  thrown  away  upon  the  obstinate  govern- 
or. He  had  made  up  his  mind.  De  Vries  walked  home  with  him,  and 
talked  incessantly ;  but  Kieft  only  smiled,  and  under  pretense  of  showing 
the  Captain  his  new  parlor,  which  he  had  just  completed,  asked  him  into 
the  hall  upon  the  side  of  the  house,  where  the  soldiers  could  be  seen  pre- 
paring to  start  for  Pavonia.  "  My  order  has  gone  forth,"  he  said,  "  and 
cannot  be  recalled." 

The  story  of  that  night  is  a  blot  upon  the  pages  of  New  Netherlands 
history.  It  was  the  most  shocking  massacre  that  ever  disgraced  a  civil- 
ized nation.  Sergeant  Rodolf  crossed  with  his  troops  to  Pavonia,  and 
butchered  eighty  Indians  in  their  sleep,  sparing  not  a  woman  or  a  child. 
It  makes  humanity  blush  to  record  such  an  atrocious  deed.  Another 
band  of  troops  marched  to  Corlear's  Hook,  and  murdered  forty  Indians 
who  were  encamped  there.  Not  one  was  spared,  and  every  cry  for  mercy 
was  unheeded. 

De  Vries  sat  all  night  by  the  kitchen  fire  in  the  governor's  house,  with 
an  aching  heart.  The  shrieks  of  the  hapless  victims  reached  his  ears 
from  Pavonia,  while  a  solemn  stillness  settled  over  New  Amsterdam.  All 
at  once  an  Indian  and  his  squaw  appeared  in  the  doorway,  and,  overcome 
with  terror,  asked  him  to  hide  them  in  the  fort.  They  lived  near  Vries- 
endael,  and  had  escaped  in  a  small  skiff.  As  De  Vries  rose  to  meet 
them,  they  exclaimed,  "  The  Mohawks  have  fallen  upon  us ! "  "  No," 
said  De  Vries,  pityingly,  "no  Indians  have  done  this;  it  is  the  work  of  the 
Dutch.  It  is  no  time  to  hide  yourselves  in  the  fort "  ;  and  leading  them 
to  the  gate,  he  directed  them  towards  the  north,  and  watched 
them  until  they  disappeared  in  the  woods. 

The  extraordinary  conquerors  returned  at  sunrise  with  thirty  prisoners 
and  the  heads  of  several  of  their  victims.    Kieft  praised  them  for 

Feb  27 

their  valor,  and  there  was  much  shaking  of  hands  and  many  con- 
gratulations. 

The  following  day,  a  party  of  Dutch  and  English  went  over  to  Pavonia 
to  pillage  the  stricken  encampment.  In  vain  the  soldiers  on  guard 
warned  them  of  the  consequences.  Dirk  Straatmaker  and  his  wife  were 
both  killed  by  some  concealed  Indians,  whose  wigwam  they  were  robbing, 
and  several  others  very  narrowly  escaped  with  their  lives. 

Stimulated  by  the  success  of  this  discreditable  exploit,  some  of  the 
Long  Island  settlers  sought  permission  of  the  governor  to  attack  the 


112 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Indians  in  that  neighborhood.  De  Vries  and  Dominie  Bogardus  and  Dr. 
La  Montague  remonstrated  with  so  much  earnestness,  that  Kieft  finally 
refused  to  consent,  on  the  ground  that  the  Long  Island  Indians  were 
"  hard  to  conquer,"  but  added  the  unfortunate  proviso  that  "  if  they 
proved  hostile,  each  man  might  resort  to  such  means  of  defense  as  he 
should  see  fit."  Before  long  some  covetous  persons,  in  punishment  for 
an  injury  which  they  claimed  to  have  sustained,  robbed  the  Indians 
of  their  corn.  Three  of  the  latter,  while  defending  their  property,  were 
killed.  It  needed  only  this  crowning  act  of  injustice  to  fill  the  measure 
of  Indian  endurance.  Eleven  tribes  immediately  united  and  declared 
war  against  the  Dutch.  The  result,  as  may  well  be  imagined,  was 
terrible  beyond  description.  The  swamps  and  thickets  were  full  of 
vindictive  savages,  watching  opportunities  to  slay  and  plunder.  From 
the  shore  of  the  Housatonic  to  the  valley  of  the  Baritan,  death,  fire,  and 
captivity  threatened  unspeakable  horrors.  In  one  week  the  smiling 
country  was  transformed  into  a  frightful  and  desolate  wilderness.  The 
rich  and  the  poor,  the  strong  and  the  helpless,  the  old  and  the  young, 
shared  the  same  fate.    Blood  flowed  in  rivers  ;  and,  what  was  often 

worse,  children  were  carried  into  hopeless  captivity.  Those  who 
'  escaped  tied  to  the  fort,  where  the  valiant  governor  remained  sale 
from  all  possible  bodily  harm,  but  where  he  was  obliged  to  listen  to  the 
fiery  wrath  of  ruined  farmers,  childless  men,  and  widowed  women,  who  were 
soon  united  in  a  common  purpose  of  returning  to  Holland.   Not  knowing 

what  else  to  do,  he  proclaimed  a  day  of  general  lasting  and  prayer. 
March  4.  while  the  people  humbled  themselves  before  their  Maker, 
they  held  their  chief  magistrate  strictly  accountable  for  their  calamities. 
In  alarm,  he  tried  to  moderate  the  popular  feeling  by  taking  all  the 
unemployed  men  into  the  pay  of  the  company,  to  serve  as  soldiers  for 
two  months. 

One  incident  deserves  special  notice.  The  Indians,  in  their  work  of 
destruction,  attacked  Vriesendael,  burned  the  barns,  killed  the  cattle,  and 
were  preparing  to  destroy  the  beautiful  manor-house  of  De  Vries.  His 
people  had  all  gathered  there  for  safety,  as  it  was  constructed  with  loop- 
holes for  musketry.  Suddenly  the  same  Indian  whose  life  De  Vries  had 
saved,  on  the  night  of  the  Pavonia  massacre,  came  running  to  the  scene, 
and  so  eloquently  declaimed  to  the  savages  of  the  goodness  of  the  "  great 
chief,"  that  they  paused  in  their  work,  expressed  great  sorrow  that  they 
had  destroyed  so  much  already,  and  quietly  went  away. 

De  Vries  was  full  of  indignation  with  the  governor,  and  said  to  him, 
with  fire  flashing  from  his  eyes,  "  It  was  our  own  nation  you  murdered 
when  you  sent  men  to  Pavonia  to  break  the  Indians'  heads  !  Who  shall 
now  make  good  our  damages?" 


OVERTURES  FOR  PEACE. 


113 


Kieft  saw  his  error,  but  it  was  too  late.  Willing  to  make  what  amends 
remained  in  his  power,  he  sent  a  messenger  with  an  overture  of  peace  to 
the  Long  Island  Indians,  which  they  rejected  with  scorn.  Standing  afar 
off,  they  derided  the  Dutch,  calling  out,  "  Are  you  our  friends  ?  You  are 
corn  thieves." 

When  this  report  was  brought  to  New  Amsterdam,  the  people  were  so 
maddened  that  they  talked  of  deposing  Kieft  and  sending  him  in  chains 
to  Holland.  He  tried  to  exculpate  himself  by  fastening  the  blame  of  the 
Pavonia  massacre  upon  Adriaensen  and  others,  whose  advice  he  pretended 
to  have  followed.  This  was  one  drop  too  much  for  the  unprincipled 
Adriaensen,  who  had  lost  all  his  valuable  property  since  the  war  com- 
menced, and  was  not  disposed  to  shoulder  any  of  Kieft's  sins.  He  there- 
fore armed  himself,  and  rushed  into  the  governor's  room,  intending  to 
kill  him  on  the  spot.  But  strong  men  were  present,  and  the 
would-be  assassin  was  seized,  disarmed,  and  imprisoned,  and  on 
the  sailing  of  the  first  vessel  was  sent  to  Holland,  notwithstanding  the 
open  resistance  of  his  friends. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  March  24,  three  Indian  messengers 
from  the  great  chief  Penhawitz  approached  Fort  Amsterdam, 
bearing  a  white  flag.  None  had  the  courage  to  go  forth  and  meet  them, 
but  De  Vries  and  Jacob  Olfersten.  The  Indians  said  they  had  come  to 
ask  why  some  of  their  people  had  been  murdered,  when  they  had  never 
harmed  the  Dutch.  De  Vries  assured  them  that  the  Dutch  did  not 
know  that  any  of  their  tribe  were  among  the  number.  They  then  asked 
De  Vries  to  come  with  them  and  speak  to  their  chief,  and  he  fearlessly 
consented.  They  conveyed  him  and  his  companion  in  their  boat  to  a 
point  near  Eockaway,  where  they  arrived  towards  evening,  and  found  the 
chief  with  two  or  three  hundred  warriors  near  a  village  of  some  thirty 
wigwams.  De  Vries  was  hospitably  entertained  in  the  royal  cabin,  and 
feasted  with  oysters  and  fish.  About  daybreak  he  was  conducted  into 
the  woods,  where  sixteen  chiefs  were  assembled  in  a  circle,  and  being- 
placed  in  the  center,  the  chief  speaker  among  them  began  to  enumerate 
their  wrongs.  He  charged  the  Dutch  with  having  repaid  their  former 
kindness  with  cruelty ;  told  how  the  Indians  had  given  them  their  daugh- 
ters for  wives,  by  whom  they  had  had  children;  and  accused  them  of 
murdering  their  own  blood  in  a  villainous  manner.  De  Vries  inter- 
rupted him,  and  begged  the  chiefs  to  go  with  him  to  the  governor  and 
make  peace.  They  were  not  at  all  disposed  to  do  so,  but  De  Vries  urged 
them,  and  his  well-known  character  for  justice  and  honor  inspired  them 
at  last  with  confidence,  and  they  repaired  to  their  canoes.  Kieft  received 
them  gladly,  and  concluded  an  informal  treaty ;  but  they  were  not  satis- 
8 


114 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


fied  with  their  presents,  and  grumbled  among  themselves  afterward. 

Through  their  aid  and  influence,  a  truce  was  also  effected  with 

'  some  other  faithless  tribes ;  but  harmony  was  by  no  means  re- 
stored, for  both  the  Dutch  and  the  Indians  were  smarting  from  their 
injuries.  The  farmers  planted  their  June  corn  in  constant  fear  of  death. 
Indeed,  peace  seemed  about  as  full  of  terror  as  war. 

July  came.    The  summer  was  hot  and  dry.    Men  crept  about  like 

guilty  creatures,  and  went  from  place  to  place,  when  possible,  in 
July  20.  ^an(jg  ^n  Q^  jn(jian  chief  met  De  Yries  one  day,  and,  in  response 
to  the  cheerful  greeting  of  the  popular  patroon,  said  that  he  was  melancholy. 
Upon  being  asked  the  cause,  he  said  that  his  young  men  wanted  war 
with  the  Dutch ;  that  the  presents  given  them  were  not  sufficient  recom- 
pense for  their  losses.  He  had  added  presents  of  his  own  in  vain.  One 
had  lost  a  father,  another  had  lost  a  mother,  and  so  on,  and  they  clamored 
for  revenge.  He  begged  De  Vries  not  to  walk  alone  in  the  woods,  for  fear 
some  Indians  who  did  not  know  him  might  kill  him.  De  Vries  escorted 
the  chief  to  Fort  Amsterdam,  where  he  told  the  governor  the  same 
things;  but  it  was  without  results.  The  chief  was  sorry,  but  said  he 
feared  he  should  not  long  be  able  to  quiet  his  tribe. 

Soon  afterward,  there  came  a  rumor  that  Pacham,  the  crafty 
'  sachem  of  the  Tankitekes,  was  visiting  all  the  Indian  villages,  to 
arrange  for  a  general  massacre  of  the  Dutch ;  and,  as  if  to  corroborate  its 
truth,  several  trading-boats  on  the  North  River  were  attacked  and  plun- 
dered, nine  men  killed,  and  one  woman  and  two  children  carried  into 
captivity.  The  alarm  was  so  general,  that  Kieft  summoned  the  people 
together  for  advice.  "  Eight  men  "  were  chosen  this  time  by  the  popular 
voice,  to  counsel  with  the  governor.  They  were  Jochem  Pietersen  Kuy- 
ter,  Jan  Jansen  Dam,  Bareut  Dircksen,  Abraham  Pietersen,  Thomas  Hall, 

Gerrit  Wolfertsen,  and  Cornelis  Melyn.    Their  first  official  act 
Sept.  13.       ^  eject  Jan  Jansen  Dam  from  their  board,  and  appoint  Jan 

Evertsen  Bout  in  his  place.    The  result  of  their  first  deliberation 
Sept' 16'  was  a  renewal  of  hostilities  with  the  river  Indians,  and  a  resolu- 
tion to  maintain  peace  with  the  Long  Island  tribes. 

But  the  war-whoop  sounded  almost  immediately  in  another  di- 
sept.  20.  reC£jon  Xhe  Weekquaesgeeks  stole  upon  the  estate  of  Annie 
Hutchinson,  at  Annie's  Hoeck,  and  murdered  her  with  all  her  family 
and  people,  save  a  sweet  little  granddaughter  of  eight  years,  whom  they 
carried  into  captivity.  They  then  proceeded  to  Vreedeland  and  attacked 
Throgmorton's  settlement,  laying  it  waste  and  killing  every  person  whom 
they  found  at  home. 

Lady  Deborah  Moody,  who  had  been  "dealt  with"  by  the  church  at 


A  TIME  OF  DREAD. 


115 


Salem  "  for  the  error  of  denying  baptism  to  infants,"  had  settled,  in  the 
month  of  June,  at  Gravesend.  Thither  the  savages  hurried  in  their 
insane  thirst  for  blood.  But  the  settlement  was  defended  by  over  forty 
brave  men,  and  the  Indians  were  obliged  to  retreat.  They  went  from 
there  to  Doughty's  settlement  at  Newtown,  where  were  eighty  or  more  in- 
habitants, who  fled  to  New  Amsterdam,  leaving  everything  belonging  to 
them  but  the  bare  land  to  be  destroyed.  A  few  days  later,  the  Hackin- 
sacks  made  a  night  attack  upon  Van  der  Horst's  colony,  on  Newark  Bay, 
and  destroyed  the  plantation,  driving  the  little  garrison,  who  for  a 
time  made  a  determined  resistance,  into  a  canoe,  by  which  they 
escaped  to  New  Amsterdam.  The  Neversincks  caught  the  infection,  and 
killed  some  traders  near  Sandy  Hook.  The  yacht  had  just  reached  New 
Amsterdam  with  the  tidings,  when  a  nearer  calamity  appalled  every 
heart.  Jacob  Stoffelsen  had  married  the  widow  of  Van  Vorst,  Pauw's 
former  superintendent,  and  lived  at  Pavonia.  He  was  a  favorite  with 
the  Indians,  and  felt  secure  in  his  home.  They  came  to  his  house,  how- 
ever, one  afternoon,  and  having  sent  him  on  some  false  errand  to  Fort 
Amsterdam,  they  killed  his  wife  and  children  (except  the  little  son  of 
Van  Vorst,  whom  they  took  off  with  them),  destroyed  all  his  property, 
and  murdered  every  white  inhabitant  of  Pavonia.  The  next  day  Kieft 
went  with  Stoffelsen  to  see  De  Vries,  and  earnestly  entreated  him  to 
follow  the  Indians  and  ransom  the  boy.  Being  the  only  man  who 
dared  venture  into  the  haunts  of  the  savages,  he  finally  consented, 
and  secured  the  child's  freedom. 

Thus  New  Jersey  was  left  in  the  possession  of  its  aboriginal  lords. 
Melyn,  on  Staten  Island,  hourly  expected  an  assault,  and  was  fortified 
to  the  extent  of  his  resources.  The  only  tolerable  place  of  safety  was 
Fort  Amsterdam,  and  into  it  women  and  children  and  cattle  were  hud- 
dled promiscuously,  while  husbands  and  fathers  mounted  guard 
on  the  crumbling  walls.  The  whole  available  fighting  force  of 
the  Dutch  was  not  over  two  hundred  men,  besides  fifty  or  sixty  Eng- 
lishmen who  had  been  enrolled  into  service  to  prevent  their  leaving 
New  Netherland.  This  army  was  under  the  command  of  Captain  John 
Underhill;  and  it  was  necessary  that  they  should  keep  guard  at  all 
hours,  for  seven  allied  tribes,  numbering  about  1,500  warriors,  were  likely 
to  descend  upon  them  at  any  moment. 

Just  at  this  juncture,  the  province  lost  one  of  its  leading  men,  and 
the  Indians  their  best  friend.  De  Vries  had  had  no  sympathy  with  war ; 
he  now  found  himself  ruined  in  consequence  of  it,  and,  bidding  adieu  to 
the  governor  with  the  portentous  assurance,  "  Vengeance  for  innocent 
blood  will  sooner  or  later  fall  upon  your  head,"  he  embarked  on  a  fishing- 
vessel  and  sailed  for  Europe, 


116 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

1643-1647. 
APPEALS  FOR  ASSISTANCE. 

Confiscation  of  Shoes. — The  Doomed  Village. — Trials  for  Want  of  Monet. — 
Action  of  the  West  India  Company.  — Kieft's  Quarrels.  — The  War  ended.  — 
The  great  Indian  Treaty  of  Peace.  —  Minerals.  —  The  New  School.  — Adriaen 
Van  der  Donck.  —  Van  Rensselaer's  Death.  —  The  new  Governor.  —  Stuyve- 
sant's  Reception.  —  Governor  Stuyvesant.  —  Mrs.  Peter  Stuyvesant.  —  Mrs. 
Bayard. 

THE  front  line  of  progress  is  never  uniform.  We  can  indeed  assert 
with  truth  that  New  Netherland  generally  advanced ;  but  an  inti- 
mate acquaintance  with  its  early  history  shows  that  at  many  points 
it  was  stationary ;  and  now  we  have  come  to  one  where  it  actually  receded, 
until  the  only  wonder  is  that  the  province  under  that  style  and  power 
did  not  become  entirely  extinct. 

Indian  wars  are  never  invested  with  any  of  the  fleeting  splendors 
which  embellish  other  armed  conflicts.  They  add  no  luster  to  the  pages 
of  history.  They  furnish  little  philosophy  or.  instruction.  We  have 
in  this  instance  no  military  skill  to  chronicle,  no  marshaling  of  hosts, 
no  clash  of  serried  columns.  A  sense  of  helplessness,  an  atmosphere  of 
terror,  an  indefinable  dread,  take  the  place  of  heroism  and  romance  as 
usually  pictured  with  the  shock  of  battles.  The  "Eight  Men"  whom 
the  people  of  New  Netherland  had  chosen  to  think  and  act  for  them 
appealed  to  their  English  neighbors  at  New  Haven  for  assistance  in  their 
great  distress.  The  reply  was  cool  and  courteous,  but  decidedly  negative. 
It  was  embodied  in  these  words,  "  We  are  not  satisfied  that  your  war 
with  the  Indians  is  just." 

Just  or  unjust,  they  must  all  perish  now  without  relief.  So 
they  told  the  whole  agonizing  story  in  a  most  eloquent  letter  to 
the  Amsterdam  Chamber,  praying  for  immediate  and  decisive  help.1 
This  document  is  supposed  to  have  been  penned  by  Coruelis  Melyn,  who 

1  The  Eight  Men  to  the  Amsterdam  Chamber,  Col.  Doc.,  Vol.  I.  138,  139. 


APPEALS  FOR  ASSISTANCE. 


117 


was  a  man  of  no  mean  ability,  and  who  seems  to  have  fully  appreciated 
the  mistaken  policy  of  the  governor.  The  winter  was  setting  in  with 
unusual  severity.  The  small,  worthless  straw  huts  around  the  fort 
were  the  only  shelter  which  could  be  given  to  the  homeless  suffer- 
ers who  had  fled  from  the  tomahawk  and  scalping-knife.  The  fort  itself 
was  in  no  condition  to  meet  the  emergency  of  the  hour ;  and  provisions 
and  clothing  were  wholly  inadequate  to  the  demand.  As  help  from 
Holland  must  come  slowly,  if,  indeed,  it  came  at  all  before  spring, 
expeditions  were  planned  against  some  of  the  Indian  villages,  the 
chief  object  of  which  was  plunder.  Meanwhile  the  "  Eight  Men  "  sent 
to  the  States-General  a  bold  complaint  of  the  neglect  of  the  West  In- 
dia Company.  They  said,  "  We  have  had  no  means  of  defense  provided 
against  a  savage  foe,  and  we  have  had  a  miserable  despot  sent  to  rule 
over  us." 

About  the  middle  of  November,  a  colony  of  English  emigrants, 
headed  by  Robert  Fordham,  arrived  at  Hempstede,  Long  Island, 
and  settled  on  land  which  was  granted  them  by  Kieft.    Their  houses 
were  hardly  ready  for  occupation  when  suspicions  of  treachery  fell  upon 


Group,  showing  Holland  Fashions. 


Penhawitz,  the  sachem  of  the  Canarsee  Indians,  who  since  the  truce 
in  the  spring  had,  to  all  outward  appearance,  been  friendly.  Fordham 
sent  a  message  of  this  import  to  the  governor,  who,  without  waiting 
to  ascertain  the  truth  of  the  charge,  dispatched  one  hundred  and  i644. 
twenty  men,  under  the  command  of  Dr.  La  Montagne,  Cook,  Jan- 2- 
and  Underbill,  to  "exterminate"  the  Canarsees.    They  sailed  in  three 


118 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  XEW  YORK. 


yachts  to  Cow  Bay,  and  proceeded  to  the  two  Indian  villages.  The 
savages,  taken  by  surprise,  made  little  resistance,  and  one  hundred  and 
twenty  were  killed,  while  the  assailants  lost  but  one  man.  Two  prison- 
ers were  taken  to  New  Amsterdam  and  put  to  death  in  the  most  revolt- 
ing manner.  One,  frightfully  wounded  by  the  long  knives  with  which 
Kieft  had  armed  the  soldiers  instead  of  swords,  at  last  dropped  dead 
while  dancing  the  death-dance  of  his  race.  The  other,  shockingly  muti- 
lated beforehand,  was  beheaded  on  a  millstone  in  Beaver  Lane,  near 
the  Battery. 

The  winter  was  one  of  the  darkest  and  most  disheartening 
ever  known  to  the  colonists.  Food  was  doled  out  with  a  sparing 
hand,  and  famine  seemed  ever  near.  Many  had  not  sufficient  clothing 
for  their  necessities.  One  of  Van  Rensselaer's  vessels,  laden  with  goods 
for  his  store  in  Iiensselaerswick,  chanced  to  arrive,  and  Kieft,  applying 
to  Peter  Wynkoop,  the  supercargo,  tried  to  buy  fifty  pairs  of  shoes  for 
his  soldiers.  The  man  declined  to  trade,  and  Kieft,  in  great  anger, 
ordered  a  forced  levy,  searched  the  vessel,  and,  finding  a  large  supply 
of  ammunition  and  guns,  not  included  in  the  manifest,  confiscated  its 
whole  cargo. 

The  shoes  obtained  were  immediately  put  to  use.  Underbill  had  just 
returned  from  Stamford,  where  he  had  been  reconnoitering  the  strength 
and  position  of  the  Connecticut  Indians  in  that  vicinity,  and  Kieft 
sent  him  back  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  to  "exterminate"  them. 

The  word  "  exterminate  "  was  incorporated  into  all  his  orders  in 
MarchU'such  cases.  The  party  went  in  yachts  to  Greenwich,  and  then 
marched  over  the  country  through  the  snow,  arriving  about  midnight 

at  the  doomed  Indian  village.  It  was  a  clear,  cold  night,  and 
Maxchl2'the  moon  shining  on  the  snow  rendered  it  nearly  as  light  as 
day.  The  village  contained  three  rows  of  wigwams,  and  was  sheltered 
in  a  nook  of  the  hills  from  the  northwest  winds.  The  savages  were  not 
asleep,  but  merrily  celebrating  one  of  their  annual  festivals.  The  Dutch 
soldiers  surrounded  the  place,  and  charged  upon  them,  sword  in  hand. 
They  made  desperate  resistance;  but  every  attempt  to  break  the  line 
of  the  troops  failed,  and  in  one  hour  the  snow  was  dyed  with  the  blood 
of  nearly  two  hundred  of  the  Indians.  Having  forced  the  remainder 
into  their  wigwams,  Underhill,  remembering  Mason's  experiment  on  the 
Mystic,  resolved  to  burn  the  village.  Straw  and  wood  were  heaped  about 
the  houses,  and  in  a  few  moments  red  flames  were  shooting  into  the  sky 
in  every  direction.  The  wretched  victims  who  tried  to  escape  were  shot, 
or  driven  back  into  the  fiery  abyss,  and  not  one  man,  woman,  or  child 
was  heard  to  utter  a  cry.    Six  hundred  fell  that  night.    Of  those  who, 


TRIALS  FOR  WANT  OF  MONEY. 


119 


blithe  and  happy,  crowded  the  little  village  at  nightfall,  but  eight  were 
left  to  tell  the  fearful  story  to  their  countrymen.  None  of  the  troops 
were  killed,  and  but  fifteen  wounded.  They  bivouacked  on  the  snow 
until  daylight,  and  then  returned,  like  Roman  conquerors,  to  Fort  Am- 
sterdam. For  their  "  brilliant  victory,"  Kieft  proclaimed  a  day  of  public 
thanksgiving.1 

Wishing  to  turn  loose  the  few  cattle  they  had  all  winter  been 

March  31.  - 

stabling  in  the  fort,  the  governor,  as  soon  as  the  snow  went  off, 
issued  an  order  for  the  building  of  a  fence  across  the  island  from  the 
North  to  the  East  River,  on  the  line  of  the  present  Wall  Street.  While 
a  number  of  men  were  engaged  in  its  construction,  a  few  tribes 
of  Indians,  worn  out,  it  is  presumed,  with  being  hunted  like  wild  Apn115' 
beasts,  came  to  the  fort  and  entered  into  a  treaty  of  peace.  But  the 
tribes  nearest  the  town,  and  consequently  those  most  dreaded,  kept 
aloof. 

By  this  time,  the  "Eight  Men"  had  received  from  the  Amsterdam 
Chamber  a  response  to  their  letter,  but  not  the  sorely  needed  funds  which 
had  been  expected.  The  financial  condition  of  the  company  had  been 
for  some  time  on  the  decline,  for  the  subsidies  and  other  sums  due  from 
the  provinces  had  never  been  promptly  paid  in ;  and,  not  being  supported 
by  an  extensive  trade,  their  military  and  naval  triumphs  had,  on  the 
whole,  cost  more  money  than  they  had  produced.  In  1641,  the  shaking 
off  of  the  Spanish  yoke  by  the  Portuguese,  in  which  Holland  had  assisted, 
made  it  apparent  that  the  company  would  in  the  end  lose  Brazil ;  a 
long  series  of  quarrels  with  the  Directors  had  just  induced  Count  John 
Maurice,  one  of  the  ablest  rulers  of  the  seventeenth  century,  to  leave 
that  South  American  province  in  disgust ;  and  through  many  causes 
bankruptcy  was  already  threatening  the  proud  corporation.  A  bill  of 
exchange  which  Kieft  drew  upon  the  Amsterdam  Chamber,  the  pre- 
vious autumn,  came  back  protested.  Pressing  need  drove  him  to  the 
dangerous  alternative  of  taxing  wine,  beer,'  brandy,  and  beaver-skins. 
The  "  Eight  Men  "  opposed  the  measure  with  all  their  strength, 
but  without  avail.  The  brewers,  upon  whom  the  tax  fell  most 
heavily,  refused  to  pay  it,  on  the  ground  of  its  injustice ;  they  were 
arrested,  and  their  beer  given  to  the  soldiers. 

In  July,  a  vessel  containing  one  hundred  and  thirty  Dutch 
soldiers,  who  had  been  driven  by  the  Portuguese  out  of  Brazil,  July  15' 
came  into  port,  having  been  sent  to  the  relief  of  the  New-Netherlanders ; 
and  Kieft  immediately  dismissed  his  English  auxiliaries,  and  billeted 

1  This  affair  is  supposed  to  have  taken  place  on  Strickland's  Plain.  Doc.  Hiit.  X.  Y. , 
IV.  16,  17. 


June  21. 


120 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


the  new-comers  on  the  citizens.  As  they  were  half  naked,  he  enforced 
bis  excise  laws,  to  get  the  means  to  clothe  them.  His  conduct  engendered 
private  as  well  as  public  quarrels  ;  and  there  were  prosecutions  daily 
and  without  number,  which  of  course  engrossed  his  attention ;  for  the 
governor,  it  must  be  remembered,  was  judge  as  well  as  jury.  Indians 
prowled  about  the  town,  committing  thefts  every  night,  often  killing 
persons  less  than  a  thousand  paces  from  the  fort.    The  "Eight  Men" 

tried  to  improve  matters,  but  they  had  little  power,  and  Kieft  was 
Aug'  '  deaf  to  their  counsels  and  suggestions.  A  committee  from  them 
went  in  person  to  him  at  one  time,  and  remonstrated  so  loudly  in  regard 
to  his  negligence  respecting  the  war,  that  he  sent  a  party  of  soldiers 
to  the  north ;  but  they  soon  returned,  having  accomplished  nothing  but 
the  murder  of  eight  of  the  savages. 

Thus  that  terrible  summer  passed  in  civil  anarchy,  and  every 

day  affairs  grew  worse.  The  "  Eight  Men "  bore  it  until  they 
could  bear  it  no  longer ;  and  finally,  in  a  cutting  memorial  addressed  to 

the  West  India  Company,  they  charged  the  whole  blame  of  the 

Oct    28  •  •  -r-r-  • 

war  and  their  consequent  sufferings  upon  Kieft,  and  demanded 
his  recall.  They  particularly  warned  the  company  against  a  "book 
ornamented  with  water-color  drawings  "  which  Kieft  had  sent  to  them, 
which  they  said  "had  as  many  lies  as  lines  in  it,"  and  declared  that 
his  Excellency  could  know  nothing  about  the  geography  of  the  country, 
since,  during  his  whole  residence  in  New  Amsterdam,  he  had  never  been 
farther  from  his  bedroom  and  kitchen  than  the  middle  of  Manhattan 
Island. 

This  communication  reached  Holland  at  an  opportune  moment. 

Dec  10  • 

The  College  of  the  XIX  was  in  session,  and  all  who  heard 
the  letter  felt  that  the  colonists  were  in  earnest,  and  would  return  with 
their  wives  and  children  to  the  Fatherland,  as  they  threatened,  if  Kieft 
was  not  recalled.  Melyn's 1  spirited  letter  to  the  States-General,  which 
had  been  sent  to  the  Amsterdam  Chamber  with  appropriate  remarks 
from  that  august  body,  came  in  at  the  same  time  for  its  share  of  atten- 
tion. It  was  finally  resolved  "to  collect  and  condense  all  the  reports 
about  New  Netherland."  This  was  subsequently  done  by  the 
recently  organized  "  Rekenkamer,"  or  Bureau  of  Accounts ;  and 
the  document  is  one  of  the  most  important  state  papers  in  existence,  as 
having  determined  the  future  policy  of  the  company. 

It  was  decided  to  recall  Kieft ;  but  as  no  one  at  hand  appeared 
exactly  adapted  to  fill  his  place,  Van  Dincklagen  was  named  as  a 
provisional  governor  for  New  Netherland.    At  a  meeting  of  the  Direc- 

1  Melyn  was  the  president  of  the  "  Eight  Men." 


K 1 EFT'S  QUARRELS. 


121 


tors,  on  the  3d  of  March,  1645,  it  was  resolved  to  vest  the  provincial 
rrovernment  in  a  Supreme  Council,  consisting  of  a  Director-Gen-  1645. 
eral,  Vice-Director,  and  Fiscal,  by  whom  all  public  concerns  m*™*  3- 
should  be  managed.  Fort  Amsterdam  should  be  repaired,  and  a  garrison 
of  fifty-three  soldiers  constantly  maintained.  The  wishes  of  the  people 
should  be  respected,  and  the  Indians  appeased.  The  population  of  the 
country  should  be  strengthened,  and  Amsterdam  weights  and  measures 
used  throughout  New  Netherland.  All  the  negroes  should  be  imported 
that  the  patroons  and  colonists  would  buy,  and  every  man  should  be 
required  to  provide  himself  with  a  musket  and  side-arms. 

Thus,  notwithstanding  the  discovery  that  their  North  American  prov- 
ince had  fallen  into  ruin  and  confusion  by  reason  of  Kieft's  unnecessary 
war,  without  the  knowledge  and  surely  not  by  the  order  of  the  company, 
and  against  the  will  and  wishes  of  the  people ;  and  that,  according  to 
the  books  of  the  Amsterdam  Chamber,  this  same  province  had,  in  place 
of  being  a  source  of  profit,  actually  cost,  since  1626,  over  five  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  guilders  above  the  returns,  —  they  evidently  felt  that 
it  was  not  entirely  beyond  hope,  and  that  they  need  not  and  ought  not 
to  abandon  it. 

The  news  of  Kieft's  recall  reached  New  Amsterdam  long  previous 
to  the  official  summons  to  appear  before  his  employers.  He  thence- 
forth labored  under  a  great  pressure  of  untoward  circumstances.  All 
classes  of  the  people  treated  him  with  marked  disrespect.  His  life 
was  an  unbroken  chapter  of  arrests,  for  he  attempted  to  punish  every 
one  who  was  guilty  of  disloyalty  to  himself  as  their  chief  magistrate. 
He  fined  and  imprisoned  and  banished  to  his  heart's  content,  allowing  no 
appeal  to  the  Fatherland ;  a  stretch  of  high-handed  tyranny  which,  but 
for  the  expected  relief,  would  probably  have  cost  him  his  life. 

His  best  friends  —  if,  indeed,  he  had  any  friends  —  could  not  restrain  him 
from  the  most  injudicious  acts.  Dominie  Bogardus,  while  remonstrating 
with  him  one  day,  was  accused  by  him  of  drunkenness  and  alliance  with 
the  malcontents.  The  next  Sabbath  morning,  the  gooc^-divine,  standing 
in  his  cheaply  canopied  pulpit,  said :  "  What  are  the  great  men  of  our 
country  but  vessels  of  wrath  and  fountains  of  woe  and  trouble  ?  They 
think  of  nothing  but  to  plunder  the  property  of  others,  to  dismiss,  to 
banish,  and  to  transport  to  Holland."  Whereupon  Kieft,  who  had  been 
up  to  that  time  a  noted  church-goer,  absented  himself  from  the  sanc- 
tuary, and  caused  a  band  of  soldiers  to  practice  all  sorts  of  noisy  amuse- 
ments, such  as  the  beating  of  drums  and  the  firing  of  cannons,  under 
the  church  windows. 

The  dominie  did  not,  however,  relax  his  censures  of  the  governor, 


122 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


and  just  after  the  following  New  Year's  Day  he  was  arrested,  and 
1646.  required  to  answer  to  a  long  list  of  charges.    His  answers,  being 
Jan.  2.  jn  accordance  with  his  clear  sense  of  justice,  were  inadmissi- 
ble before  such  a  tribunal ;  and  at  last,  to  silence  the  scandal  and 

Jan  15. 

disorder,  mutual  friends  interfered,  the  prosecution  was  termi- 
nated, and  the  governor  went  to  church  again,  being  placated  by 
July  23.  ^  compliance  of  Dominie  Bogardus  with  his  request  to  allow 

Dominie  Mesapolensis,  who  was  in  New  Amsterdam,  to  preach  the  next 

Sunday. 

1645.      Meanwhile  the  Indians,  wishing  to  plant  their  corn,  and  after- 
Aprii  22.  wards  to  engage  in  their  usual  pastimes  of  hunting  and  fish- 
ing, sued  for  peace.    A  few  chiefs  appeared  at  the  fort  arid  entered  into 
a  treaty,  apparently  pleased  when  a  salute  of  three  guns  was  fired  in 
honor  of  the  occasion.1    They  were  engaged  to  secure  the  good-will  of  the 
yet  hostile  tribes,  —  a  work  which  was  at  last  accomplished  by  the  diplo- 
macy of  Whiteneywen,  chief  of  the  Mockgonecocks.    He  soon  returned 
with  friendly  messages  from  the  chiefs  along  the  Sound  and  near  Kocka- 
way,  and  both  parties  went  through  the  ceremony  of  a  formal  treaty. 
Kieft  then,  accompanied  by  Dr.  La  Montague,  made  his  first  visit 
Aug'8'  to  Fort  Orange,  hoping  to  secure  the  friendship  of  the  Mohawks 
and  other  tribes  in  that  vicinity,  who  had  just  made  peace  with  the 
French.    This  effort  was  crowned  with  success,  and  on  t he  30th 
Aug.  30.  ^  August  the  chiefs  of  all  the  tribes  assembled  in  New  Amster- 
.  dam,  where  they  were  met  by  the  officers  of  the  government  and  the 
people,  and  with  the  most  imposing  ceremonies  all  pledged  themselves 
to  eternal  friendship  with  each  other.    No  armed  Indian  was  henceforth 
to  visit  the  houses  of  the  Europeans;  and  no  armed  European  was  to 
visit  the  Indian  villages,  without  a  native  escort.    So  slender,  at 

Auk  30. 

this  time,  were  the  resources  of  Kieft,  that  he  was  obliged  to  bor- 
row money  of  Van  der  Donck,  in  order  to  make  the  customary  presents 
to  the  savages. 

With  characteristic  thoughtfulness,  the  Dutch  stipulated  for  the  resto- 
ration of  the  little  captive  granddaughter  of  Annie  Hutchinson  ;  and  the 
Indians,  with  apparent  reluctance,  acceded  to  the  proposal  The  next  July 
they  appeared  with  her  at  Fort  Amsterdam,  and  Kieft  had  the  rare  pleas- 
ure of  sending  her  to  her  friends  in  Boston.  During  her  brief  captivity, 
she  had  forgotten  her  own  language  and  the  faces  of  her  relatives,  and 
was  loath  to  leave  the  Indians,  who  had  evidently  treated  her  tenderly. 

1  The  salute  was  fired  by  Jacob  Jacobsen  Hoy,  who,  in  the  discharge  of  this  duty,  unfor- 
tunately received  a  tevere  injury  from  an  explosion!  which  long  kept  him  under  the  care  of 
Surgeon  Kiersted,  and  ultimately  deprived  him  of  his  arm, 


THE  GREAT  INDIAN  TREATY  OF  PEACE. 


123 


There  was  joy  in  New  Amsterdam  at  the  bright  prospect  of  a  durable 
peace  ;  but  the  desolation  caused  by  the  needless  war  was  not  soon  to  pass 
out  of  sight.  It  had  been  easy  to  commence  hostilities,  but  how  were 
broken  hearts  and  fortunes  to  be  repaired  ?    The  day  following 

.        .  Aug-  31. 

the  final  settlement  of  the  treaty,  Kieft  issued  a  proclamation, 
directing  the  observance  of  the  6th  of  September  as  a  day  of  general 
thanksgiving,  "  to  proclaim  the  good  tidings  in  all  the  Dutch  and  English 
churches." 

People  began  once  more  to  scatter  over  the  country,  and  to  clear  and 
improve  the  land.  The  party  who  had  been  driven  from  Newtown,  Long 
Island,  returned ;  but  they  were  bankrupt,  their  houses  and  farming 
utensils  were  gone,  and  it  was  difficult  to  get  another  foothold.  Doughty 
exacted  purchase-money  and  quit-rents  before  he  would  allow  his  people 
to  build ;  but  they  appealed  to  the  governor,  who,  thinking  it  unwise  to 
hinder  population,  managed  so  that  the  minister's  land  was  confiscated. 
Doughty  gave  notice  that  he  should  appeal  from  this  decision ;  and  he 
was  thereupon  imprisoned  for  twenty-four  hours,  fined,  and  compelled 
to  promise  in  writing  that  he  would  never  mention  what  had  occurred. 
He  afterwards  removed  to  Flushing,  which  had  just  been  settled 
by  a  party  of  New  England  emigrants.  These  people  had.  bought  Sept' 
more  than  sixteen  thousand  acres  of  land  of  Kieft ;  and  Doughty  became 
their  minister,  with  a  salary  of  six  hundred  guilders  per  annum. 

Two  months  later,  that  portion  of  Long  Island  adjoining  Coney 

Dec,  19 

Island,  now  known  as  Gravesend,  was  formally  patented  to  Lady 
Moody,  her  son  Sir  Henry  Moody,  Ensign  George  Baxter,  and  Sergeant 
James  Hubbard,  who  had  held  it  so  bravely  during  all  these  harassing 
years. 

In  pursuance  of  orders  from  the  West  India  Company,  Kieft 
investigated  the  mineral  resources  of  the  province.  During  the 
progress  of  the  treaty  in  August,  some  of  the  Indians  had  exhibited 
specimens  of  minerals  they  claimed  to  have  found  in  the  Neversinck 
Hills  and  elsewhere,  which  upon  analysis  yielded  what  was  supposed 
to  be  gold  and  quicksilver  and  iron  pyrites.  An  officer  and  thirty  men 
were  sent  to  search  for  and  procure  as  many  specimens  as  possible  for 
transmission  to  Holland.  They  found  the  article  in  question,  and  as  a 
ship  was  going  to  leave  New  Haven  in  December,  they  sent  their  little 
cargo  by  it,  in  charge  of  Arendt  Corssen ;  but  the  vessel  was  lost  at  sea, 
and  never  heard  from  after  it  passed  out  of  Long  Island  Sound. 

One  of  the  signs  of  progress  in  New  Amsterdam  was  a  new  school 
started  by  Arien  Jansen  Van  Olfendam,  who  arrived  from  Holland  on 
March  3d  of  this  year.    He  had  no  competitor  after  Roelandsen's  banish- 


124 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


merit,  and  prospered  as  well  as  could  have  been  expected,  considering 
the  condition  of  the  country.  His  terms  of  tuition  were  "  two  beavers  " 
per  annum,  —  beavers  meaning  dried  beaver-skins.  He  taught  in  New 
Amsterdam  until  the  year  1660,  and  among  those  he  educated  were  some 
of  the  leading  personages  of  tbe  province. 
1647.  Meanwhile  Adriaen  Van  der  Donck,  whose  name  is  familiar  to 
Jan.  17.  historians  of  New  Netherland,  had  married  the  daughter  of 
Rev.  Francis  Doughty,  and  wished  to  remove  to  Manhattan.  He  had 
filled  the  office  of  sheriff  in  Rensselaerswick  for  nearly  five  years,  and 
had  been  of  infinite  service  to  the  colony.  Through  his  influence  the 
first  church  had  been  built  there,  which,  although  small,  had  a  canopied 
pulpit,  pews  for  the  magistracy  and  the  deacons,  and  nine  benches  for 
the  people,  after  the  fashion  of  the  Fatherland.  As  previously  recorded, 
it  was  chiefly  through  his  recommendations  that  the  services  of  Dominie 
Megapolensis  had  been  secured ;  a  clergyman  who  not  only  preached  to 
his  own  countrymen,  but  was  the  first  of  the  Dutch  Church  to  attempt 
the  instruction  of  the  Indians  in  religion.  For  a  long  time,  he  knew 
very  little  of  the  Indian  language ;  and  he  related  in  a  letter  to  a  friend 
how,  when  he  preached  a  sermon,  ten  or  twelve  savages  would  attend, 
each  with  a  long  pipe  in  his  mouth,  and  would  stare  at  him,  and  after- 
ward ask  why  he  stood  there  alone  and  made  so  many  words,  when 
none  of  the  rest  might  speak.  He  taught  them  slowly  and  by  de- 
grees, as  he  could  make  himself  understood,  that  he  was  admonishing 
them  as  he  did  the  Christians,  not  to  drink  and  murder  and  steal 
Through  his  voluntary  and  earnest  and  unceasing  labors,  many  of  the 
red-men  about  Fort  Orange  heard  the  gospel  preached  long  before  New 
England  sent  missionaries  among  the  Indians. 

Before  Van  der  Donck  had  completed  his  arrangements  for  removal,  the 
pretty  cottage  in  which  he  lived  was  burned;  and,  as  it  was  in  the  depth 
of  a  remarkably  inclement  winter,  Van  Corlear  invited  his  houseless 
neighbors  to  share  his  hospitality.  A  quarrel  soon  arose,  because  Van 
Curler  insisted  that  Van  der  Donck  was  bound  by  his  lease  to  make  good 
to  the  patroon  the  value  of  the  lost  house.  Van  der  Donck  retorted 
sharply;  whereupon  Van  Corlear  ordered  him  from  under  his  roof  within 
two  days.  Seeking  refuge  in  Fort  Orange,  Van  der  Donck  was  allowed 
by  the  new  commissary,  Van  der  Bogaerdt,  to  occupy  a  miserable  hut, 
"  into  which,"  he  said,  "  no  one  would  hardly  be  willing  to  enter,"  until 
the  opening  of  river  navigation,  when  he  proceeded  to  Now  Amsterdam. 

Kieft  was  well  disposed  towards  the  man  to  whom  he  was  in- 
Aprii  28.  jyj^j  for  a  ]al,j,e  amount  of  horrowed  money,  and  readily  granted 
him  the  privileges  of  patroon  over  some  Hue  lauds  which  he  selected,  to 


VAN  RENSSELAER'S  DEATH. 


125 


the  north  of  Manhattan  Island,  on  the  Hudson  Eiver,  which  took  the 
name  of  "Colon  Donck,"  or  "Donck's  Colony."  Many  of  the  Dutch 
were  in  the  habit  of  calling  this  estate  "  de  Jonkheer's  Landt,"  Jonk- 
heer  being  a  title  which  in  Holland  was  applied  to  the  sons  of  noblemen. 
The  English  corrupted  it  and  called  it  Yonkers ;  thus  the  name  Early 
Yonkers  perpetuates  the  memory  of  the  first  proprietor  of  the  spring- 
property  in  that  locality. 

During  the  same  summer,  Kieft  issued  a  patent  to  Cornelis  Antonissen 
Van  Slyck  for  the  land  which  is  now  the  town  of  Catskill,  with  the 
privileges  of  patroon ;  giving  as  a  reason  "  the  great  services  which  Van 
Slyck  had  done  this  country  in  helping  to  make  peace  and  ransom 
prisoners  during  the  war " ;  but  in  so  doing  the  governor  openly  set  at 
naught  the  pretensions  of  the  patroon  of  Eensselaerswick,  which,  in- 
deed, had  already  been  formally  denied  in  the  proceedings  against  Koorn 
in  1644. 

News  of  the  death  of  Kiliaen  Van  Eensselaer  soon  after  reached  the 
colony.  By  this  event  the  title  of  the  estate  descended  to  his  eldest  son, 
Johannes,  who,  being  under  age,  was,  by  his  father's  will,  placed  under 
the  guardianship  of  Johannes  Van  Wely  and  Wouter  Van  Twiller,  his 
executors.  In  November,  these  guardians  of  the  young  patroon,  having 
rendered  homage  to  the  States-General,  in  the  name  of  their  ward,  sent 
Brandt  Van  Slechtenhorst  as  director  to  the  colony,  in  place  of  Van 
Corlear,  who  had  resigned. 

Late  in  autumn,  the  company  granted  the  town  of  Breuckelen, 
Long  Island,  municipal  privileges ;  that  is,  the  people  were 
allowed  to  elect  two  schepens,  with  full  judicial  powers,  and  a  schout, 
who  should  be  subordinate  to  the  sheriff  at  New  Amsterdam.    The  vil- 
lage at  this  time  was  a  mile  inland,  the  hamlet  at  the  water's  edge  was 
known  as  the  Ferry. 

Kieft  was  very  much  harassed,  during  the  entire  year  of  1646,  by 
difficulties  with  the  Swedes  on  the  Delaware  River,  and  by  what  he 
styled  the  "  impudent  encroachments  "  of  the  New-Englanders.  He  sent 
Andries  Hudde  to  succeed  Jan  Jansen  at  Fort  Nassau,  and  imprisoned 
Jansen  for  fraud  and.  neglect  of  duty.  In  the  autumn  of  1645,  he  sent 
him  to  Holland,  for  trial.  Hudde  was  equal  to  the  governor  in  the  use 
of  profane  language,  but,  though  energetic,  he  was  no  match  for  Printz, 
the  imperious  Swedish  commander,  who  nearly  annihilated  the  commerce 
of  the  Dutch ;  and  the  two  neighbors  were  engaged  in  a  perpetual  squab- 
ble, which  had  no  dignity,  and  is  hardly  worth  a  place  in  history,  since  it 
was  followed  by  no  results.  In  the  same  manner  ended  a  long  and  curi- 
ously bitter  correspondence  between  the  governor  and  the  New  England 


126 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


authorities.  While  justice,  in  this  instance,  seemed  to  be  on  the  side 
of  the  Dutch,  the  English  certainly  showed  themselves  the  better  diplo- 
matists, and  Kieft  only  injured  a  good  cause  by  intermeddling. 

But  events  in  another  part  of  the  world  had  already  prepared  the  way 
for  a  change  which  was  to  influence  all  the  future  of  the  province  of  New 
Netherland.  Peter  Stuyvesant,  the  governor  of  Curacoa,  which  had 
been  wrested  from  the  Spanish  during  the  most  brilliant  period  of  the 
West  India  Company's  history,  made  an  unsuccessful  attack  upon  the 
Portuguese  island  of  St.  Martin  in  1644,  through  which  he  lost  a  leg,  and 
was  obliged  to  return  to  Europe  for  surgical  aid.  The  company,  who 
held  him  in  great  respect,  concluded  to  send  him  as  governor  to  New 
Netherland,  and  revoked  Van  Dincklagen's  provisional  appointment. 
During  the  summer 
of  1645,  a  sharp 
controversy  was  go- 
ing on  among  the 
Directors  of  the  com- 
pany in  regard  to  the 
proposed  reforms  in 

Colonial  affairs  ;  and  Autograph  of  Stuyvesant. 

their  ablest  pens  were  in  constant  requisition  to  ward  off  the  attacks  of 
the  national  Dutch  party,  who  were  publishing  pamphlets  to  influence 
the  public  mind  against  their  movements,  and  to  show  them  up  as  a 
clique  of  tyrants,  who  had  squandered  the  treasures  of  the  country  and 
contracted  immense  debts.  It  is  curious  to  read  the  company's  various 
and  numberless  resolutions  about  this  time,  especially  those  treating  of 
money  matters.  They  lead  us  into  a  better  understanding  of  the  diffi- 
culties attending  such  a  corporation,  which,  taking  upon  itself  a  part  of 
the  duties  of  the  government,  would  necessarily  expect  from  the  latter 
assistance ;  and  this,  coining  at  .all  times  slowly,  at  last  failed  them 
1645.  altogether.  It  was  decided  in  the  College  of  the  XIX,  that  the 
July  6.  expenses  of  New  Netherland  should  no  longer  be  confined  to  the 
Amsterdam  Chamber,  but  shared  by  all  the  chambers  of  the  company  in 
common.  As  news  of  the  peace  with  the  Indians  had  reached  them, 
they  were  in  less  haste  to  send  out  a  new  governor :  finally,  to  settle 
the  knotty  questions  which  were  engendering  a  great  deal  of  ill-feeliug, 
and  to  render  instructions  clear  and  comprehensive,  Stuyvesaut's  depart- 
ure was  delayed  for  more  than  a  year;  and  even  at  the  last,  all  the 
preparations  for  his  voyage  were  tediously  slow. 
1040.  He  received  his  commission,  and  took  the  oath  of  office  before 
July  28.  tjie  States-General,  July  28, 1646.    He  sailed  on  Christmas  morn- 


THE  NEW  GOVERNOR. 


127 


ing,  and  after  a  long  detour,  stopping  at  Curaeoa  and  the  West  India 
Islands,  reached  New  •Amsterdam,  May  11,  1047.    Ho  was  ac-  i647. 
companied  by  Van  Dincklagen  as  Vice-Director,  Van  Dyck  as  Mayn 
Fiscal,  Captain  Bryan  Newton,  Commissary  Adriaen  Keyser,  and  Cap- 


Portrait  of  Peter  Stuyvesant. 


tain  Jelmer  Thomas,  with  several  soldiers,  a  number  of  free  colonists, 
and  a  few  private  traders.  The  first-named  gentlemen,  including  the 
governor,  had  their  families  with  them. 

Stuy  vesant's  reception  was  very  flattering.  The  guns  of  the  fort  were 
fired,  and  the  entire  population  of  New  Amsterdam  cheered  and  waved 
hats  and  handkerchiefs  as  he  landed.  There  was  a  little  informal  speech- 
making,  and  with  great  hauteur  the  new  chief  magistrate  assured  the 
crowd  that  he  "should  govern  them  as  a  father  does  his  children." 


128 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


The  wily  little  Kieft  was  foremost  in  making  his  successor  welcome, 
and  escorted  him  to  the  Executive  Mansion,  which  he  had  already  va- 
cated, and  in  which  a  sumptuous  repast  was  awaiting  His  Excellency. 

Peter  Stuyvesant  was  the  son  of  a  clergyman  in  Friesland.-  He  had 
early  evinced  a  taste  for  military  life,  and  had  now  been  for  some  years 
in  the  employ  of  the  West  India  Company.  He  was  a  proud,  scholarly 
looking  man,  a  little  above  the  medium  height,  with  a  remarkably  fine 
physique ;  and  he  bore  himself  with  the  air  of  a  prince.  The  highly  in- 
tellectual features  of  his  lace  gave  evidence  of  great  decision  and  force 
of  character.  His  complexion  was  dark,  and  a  close  black  cap  which  he 
often  wore  imparted  to  it  a  still  deeper  shade.  His  chin  was  bare,  and 
his  mouth,  indicative  of  sternness  and  grave  authority,  was  fringed  with 
a  very  slight  mustache.  The  inflections  of  his  voice,  and  his  whole 
appearance  when  speaking,  were  rather  unattractive ;  but,  in  spite  of  a 
certain  apparent  coldness,  no  one  could  escape  the  influence  of  his  mag- 
netic presence.  He  was  a  man  of  strong  prejudices  and  passions,  of 
severe  morality,  and  at  times  unapproachable  aspect ;  but  his  heart  was 
large,  his  sympathies  tender,  and  his  affections  warm,  though  his  creed 
was  rigid.  He  was  never  otherwise  than  faultlessly  dressed,  and  always 
after  the  most  approved  European  standard.  A  wide,  drooping  shirt-col- 
lar fell  over  a  velvet  jacket  with  slashed  sleeves,  displaying  a  full  white 
puffed  shirt-sleeve.  His  hose  were  also  slashed,  very  full,  and  fastened 
at  the  knee  by  a  handsome  scarf  tied  in  a  knot,  and  his  shoes  were 
ornamented  with  a  large  rosette.  His  lost  leg  had  been  replaced  by 
a  wooden  one  with  silver  bands,  which  accounts  for  the  tradition  that 
he  wore  a  silver  leg.  He  was  often  abrupt  in  manner,  and  made  no 
pretensions  to  conventional  smoothness  at  any  time.  He  had  sterling 
excellences  of  character,  but  more  knowledge  than  culture. 

The  career  of  Governor  Stuyvesant  is  deeply  interesting  from  its  sym- 
metry and  its  manliness.  He  came  to  Manhattan  in  the  employ  of  a 
mercantile  corporation ;  but  his  whole  heart  and  soul  became  enlisted 
in  the  welfare  of  the  country  of  his  adoption.  Thenceforward  to  his 
latest  breath  he  was  intensely  American,  and  the  varied  fruits  of  his 
labors  are  among  the  most  valuable  legacies  of  the  seventeenth  century. 

A  few  years  prior  to  this  date,  he  had  married  Judith  Bayard,  the 
daughter  of  a  celebrated  Paris  divine,  who  had  taken  refuge  in  Holland 
from  religious  persecution.  Shortly  after  his  own  marriage,  his  sister 
Anna  was  espoused  to  Samuel  Bayard,  Judith's  elder  brother.  The 
husband  died  within  a  short  period,  leaving  his  young  widow  and 
three  infant  sons  to  the  care  of  her  only  brother,  who  deemed  it 
wise  to  bring  them  with  him  to  his  new  home.    The  two  ladies,  Mrs. 


MRS.  PETER  STUYVESANT. 


Stuyvesant  and  Mrs.  Bayard,  bad  hitherto  known  only  luxury  and  com- 
fort. They  were  well  informed  as  to  the  uncertain  prospects  of  colonial 
life,  and  possible  savage  warfare ;  for  the  pubbsbed  accounts  of  the  New 
Netherland  horrors  had  circulated  widely  in  Europe.  But  they  were 
as  brave  as  they  were  sensible  and  self-sacrificing.  Mrs.  Stuyvesant  was 
a  blonde,  and  very  beautiful,  spoke  both  the  French  and  the  Dutch  lan- 
guage with  ease,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  acquired  a  good  knowl- 
edge of  English.  She  had  a  sweet  voice  and  a  rare  taste  for  music, 
which  had  been  cultivated  under  the  best  of  masters.  She  was  fond 
of  dress,  and  followed  the  French  fashions,  displaying  considerable  artis- 
tic skill  in  the  perfection  and  style  of  her  attire.  She  was  gentle  and 
retiring  in  her  manners,  but  was  possessed  of  great  firmness  of  char- 
acter. 

Mrs.  Bayard  was  less  attractive  in  person ;  she  was  tall,  commanding, 
and  imperious.  Her  education  was  of  a  high  order,  considering  the  age  in 
which  she  lived,  and  she  had  great  tact  and  capacity  for  business.  She 
brought  a  tutor  across  the  ocean  for  her  three  little  sons ;  but  after  he 
had  been  dismissed  as  unworthy  of  his  position,  she  taught  the  children 
herself  in  almost  every  branch  of  practical  education.  Of  her  abilities  in 
that  direction  we  may  judge  from  the  fact  that  her  son  Nicholas,  a 
mere  youth,  was  appointed,  in  1664,  to  the  clerkship  of  the  Common 
Council,  —  an  office  of  which  the  records  were  required  to  be  kept  in 
both  Dutch  and  English.  It  will  not  be  amiss  perhaps,  in  this  connec- 
tion, to  quote  from  the  historian  Brodhead  a  few  words  in  regard  to  the 
women  of  Holland.  He  says  :  "  The  purity  of  morals  and  decorum  of 
manners,  for  which  the  Dutch  have  ever  been  conspicuous,  may  be  most 
justly  ascribed  to  the  happy  influence  of  their  women,  who  mingled  in 
all  the  active  affairs  of  life,  and  were  consulted  with  deferential  respect. 
They  loved  their  homes  and  their  firesides,  but  they  loved  their  country 
more.  Through  all  their  toils  and  struggles,  the  calm  fortitude  of  the 
men  of  Holland  was  nobly  encouraged  and  sustained  by  the  earnest  and 
undaunted  spirit  of  their  mothers  and  wives.  And  the  empire  which  the 
female  sex  obtained  was  no  greater  than  that  which  their  beauty,  good 
sense,  virtue,  and  devotion  entitled  them  to  hold." 

It  was  well  for  Stuyvesant  tbat  he  had  such  a  wife  and  sister  near 
him,  for  he  was  entering  upon  a  series  of  trials  which  would  test  his 
temper  and  discretion  to  the  utmost.    Of  their  influence  and  coun- 

May  27.  1 

sels  we  catch  only  occasional  glimpses  here  and  there.  But  his 
administration  was  longer  and  more  perplexing  than  that  of  any  other 
Dutch  governor.  It  was,  at  that  time,  no  easy  matter  to  conduct  the 
affairs  of  a  remote  settlement,  where  the  machinery  of  government  was 


130 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  XEW  YORK. 


insufficient  of  itself  to  control  a  mixed  community,  whose  interests  were 
in  constant  conflict  with  those  of  the  trading  company  which  held  the 
reins  of  power.  The  very  conditions  of  his  office  compelled  him  to 
assume  individual  responsibility,  and  to  depend  upon  his  own  private 
judgment  in  a  thousand  instances,  the  importance  of  which  we  can  now 
imperfectly  estimate.  His  faults  sometimes  glare  upon  us  in  a  most 
blinding  manner;  but  with  all  his  apparent  fondness  for  ostentation 
of  command,  he  does  not  seem  to  have  been  open  to  the  charge  of  inten- 
tional injustice,  and  his  purity  of  purpose  stands  out  in  indelible  con- 
trast with  the  capricious  rule  of  his  predecessor. 

He  was  formally  inaugurated,  May  27. 
The  whole  community  were  present,  and  lis- 
tened with  eagerness  to  his  well-prepared 
speech  on  the  occasion.  The  democratic 
Belgian,  Cornells  Melyn,  afterwards  wrote, 
"  He  kept  the  people  standing  with  their 
heads  uncovered  for  more  than  an  hour, 
while  he  wore  his  chapeau,  as  if  he  were 
the  Czar  of  Muscovy."  Others  who  had 
suffered  from  the  petty  despotism  of  Kieft, 
and  who  were  full  of  the  liberal  ideas  which  stuyvesant's  seal, 

were  the  birthright  of  every  Hollander,  criticised  the  haughty  bearing 
of  the  new  governor,  and  prophesied  the  character  of  his  future  govern- 
ment. When  he  earnestly  promised  that  "every  man  should  have 
justice  done  him,"  he  was  loudly  applauded.  Kieft  stood  by  his  side 
during  the  ceremony,  and  seemed  to  think  it  fitting  that  he  should  say 
a  few  words  of  farewell  to  the  people.  He  thanked  them  for  their  fideli- 
ty to  him,  expressed  many  kind  wishes,  and  bade  them  adieu.  Only  a 
murmur  of  dissatisfaction  arose  in  response,  and  a  few  voices  above  the 
rest  were  heard  to  say,  "  We  are  glad  your  reign  is  over." 


POLITICAL  EVENTS  IN  EUROPE. 


131 


CHAPTER  IX. 

1647  - 1650. 
POLITICAL  EVENTS  IN  EUROPE. 

Political  Events  in  Eukope. — Holland  and  the  Hollanders. — The  Sabbath  in 
New  York.  — The  First  Surveyors.  — Kuytkr  and  Melyn,  and  their  Trial  for 
Rebellion.  —  The  Wreck  of  the  Princess.  —  Kip.  —  Govert  Loockermans.  —  First 
Fire- Wardens. — Schools  and  Education. — Rensselaerswick  a  Power. — The 
Governor's  Failure. — Civil  War  in  England. — Van  Cortlandt. — Van  der 
Donck.  —  Melyn.  —  The  Quarrel.  —  Van  der  Donck  in  Holland.  —  Isaac 
Allerton. 

FREDERICK  HENRY,  Prince  of  Orange,  died  on  the  morning  of 
March  14,  1647.  He  had  been  stadtholder  of  the  provinces  for 
twenty-two  years,  and  had  reached  his  sixty-third  birthday.  His  death 
tended  directly  towards  drawing  to  a  close  the  eighty  years'  war, 
which  had  cost  Spain  over  fifteen  hundred  millions  of  ducats. 
His  office  descended  to  his  son,  William  II.,  by  an  act  of  reversion 
which  the  States  passed  in  1631.  The  young  prince  was  the  husband 
of  Mary,  daughter  of  Charles  I.  of  England.  He  was  full  of  military 
ambition  and  ready  to  buckle  on  his  armor,  but  the  nation  distrusted 
his  inexperience  and  entered  immediately  into  negotiations  for  peace. 
France  was  a  snag  in  the  way*,  for  a  time,  through  a  variety  of  conflicting 
interests.  The  French  ministers  were  bent  on  preventing  the  consum- 
mation of  the  treaty,  even  resorting  to  countless  intrigues  when  other 
means  failed.  It  was  finally  signed  by  the  representatives  of  the  two 
nations,  in  January,  1648,  at  Munster.  It  was  at  once  ratified  by  Philip 
IV.  and  by  the  several  States  of  the  Netherlands.  The  recognition  of 
the  sovereignty  of  the  Dutch  Republic  was  so  absolute  that  an  ambassa- 
dor was  actually  sent  to  the  Hague  from  Spain,  before  Philip  himself 
received  one  from  the  Dutch.1 

Of  the  seven  Dutch  States,  Holland  was  the  most  important,  by  reason 
of  its  dense  population  and  great  wealth ;  hence  its  name  was  often 

1  Corps  Dip.,  VI.  429,  450.  Bamaqe  Anmlcs  des  frov.,  Un.  I.  102.  Grallam,  262. 
[>  ris,  II.  645,  649. 


132 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


applied  to  the  confederacy  by  way  of  eminence.  It  embraced  but  a 
small  portion  of  territory,  chiefly  of  made  ground,  which  was  so  loose 
and  spongy  that  high  winds  sometimes  tore  up  large  trees  by  the 
roots.  Every  inch  of  the  country  was  rendered  available  for  some  good 
purpose.  The  soil,  steeped  in  water,  produced  excellent  crops,  and  the 
fields  and  gardens  teemed  with  vegetation.  Canals  were  cut  in  all 
directions,  and  were  alive  with  fleets  of  barges  and  with  innumerable 
ships  of  war  and  commerce.  The  trim  villas,  and  the  quick  succession 
of  great  towns,  made  a  profound  impression  upon  travelers  and  strangers. 
Throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land  there  was  a  uniform 
appearance  of  comfort,  affluence,  and  contentment.  Houses  and  grounds 
were  kept  in  a  condition  of  perfect  order,  the  streets  and  canals  were 
lined  with  elegant  trees,  and  the  ever-whirling  windmills  looked  as  if 
they  came  out  in  fresh  robes  every  morning.  In  no  country  were  the 
domestic  and  social  ties  of  life  discharged  with  greater  precision.  It 
matters  not  that  chroniclers  have  made  the  Dutch  subjects  of  unmerited 
depreciation.  It  has  been  stated  that  they  were  characterized  only  by 
slowness ;  and  that  the  land  was  barren  of  invention,  progress,  or  ideas. 
The  seeds  of  error  and  prejudice  thus  sown  bear  little  fruit  after  the 
reading  of  a  few  chapters  of  genuine  contemporary  personal  description. 
As  a  rule,  the  Hollanders  were  not  inclined  to  take  the  initiative  in  trade 
or  politics,  and  were  distinguished  for  solidity  rather  than  brilliancy;  but 
it  is  absurd  to  say  "they  were  unequal  to  the  origination  of  any  now 
thing."  We  find  among  them  many  of  the  most  illustrious  men  of  mod- 
ern Europe,  —  politicians,  warriors,  scholars,  artists,  and  divines.  Wealth 
was  widely  diffused;  learning  was  held  in  highest  respect;  and  eloquence, 
courage,  and  public  spirit  were  characteristic  of  the  race.  For  nearly  a 
century  after  the  Dutch  Republic  first  took  its  place  among  independent 
nations,  it  swayed  the  balance  of  European  •politics ;  and  the  acumen  and 
culture  of  the  leading  statesmen  elicited  universal  deference  and  admira- 
tion. For  an  index  to  the  private  life  of  the  upper  classes,  we  need  but 
to  take  a  peep  into  the  richly  furnished  apartments  of  their  stately  man- 
sions, or  walk  through  their  summer-houses  and  choice  conservatories 
and  famous  picture-galleries.  As  for  the  peasantry,  they  were  neat  to 
a  fault,  and  industrious  as  well  as  frugal. 

The  liberal  commercial  policy  of  the  Dutch,  and  their  great  latitude 
of  religious  faith,  attracted  people  to  their  shores  from  all  parts  of  the 
world.  Every  language  spoken  by  civilized  man  was  to  be  heard  in 
their  exchange.  The  floor  of  the  hall  in  the  Stadt  Huys  at  Amsterdam 
was  inlaid  with  marble,  to  represent  maps  of  the  different  nations  of  the 
earth. 


HOLLAND  AND  THE  HOLLANDERS. 


133 


Such  was  the  country  whose  people  settled  New  York.  All  classes 
emigrated ;  but  those  who  took  the  most  active  part  in  the  direction  of 
our  infant  institutions  were,  in  intelligence  and  worldly  wisdom,  and  in 
all  those  sterling  characteristics  which  we  are  wont  to  respect,  above  the 
average  of  their  generation.  Their  number  was  small,  but  its  propor- 
tion to  that  of  the  illiterate 
laborers  and  traders  who 
crossed  the  water  was  great- 
er than  that  between  the 
higher  and  lower  classes  in 
any  portion  of  Europe.  This 
fact  has  generally  been  over- 
looked by  the  writers  of 
American  history  who  have 
imputed  wholesale  heaviness 
and  incapacity,  except  in 
money-making,  to  the  Dutch 
founders  of  the  metropolis. 
As  the  blood  of  Holland, 
France,  and  England  (and, 
we  may  add,  much  of  the 
best  blood  of  those  three  na- 
tions) became  mixed  in  the 
veins  of  the  people,  it  is  easy 
to  trace  the  increase  of  men-  lnterior  of  the  Stadt  Huys-  of  Amsterdam- 

tal  vigor,  the  softening  of  national  prejudices,  and  the  general  amalgama- 
tion of  opinions,  habits,  tastes,  fashions,  and  modes  of  life,  until  we 
have  a  new  and  distinct  species  of  the  human  kind  in  the  New  York 
American. 

Stuyvesant  possessed  in  an  eminent  degree  that  distinguishing  element 
of  greatness,  perception.  He  took  the  colony  in  at  a  glance,  and  saw 
why  there  was  so  much  dilapidation  and  discomfort.  The  Indian  war 
had  destroyed  property,  until  only  about  fifty  farms  could  be  counted 
in  the  province.  Some  of  the  colonists  had  been  killed,  and  others  had 
returned  to  Holland ;  so  that  there  were  not  to  be  found  over  three 
hundred  capable  of  bearing  arms.  The  church  in  the  fort  was  unfinished, 
and  the  timbers  rotting.  Money  which  had  been  contributed  towards 
building  a  school-house  had  been  expended  to  pay  off  the  troops;  and  the 
debt  was  still  in  arrears.  The  public  revenue  had  riot  been  collected, 
and  there  were  conflicting  claims  in  waiting  to  be  settled  with  the  pa- 
troons.    In  short,  the  whole  situation  was  chaotic  in  the  extreme. 


134 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Whatever  Stuyvesant  did,  he  did  thoroughly.  As  soon  as  he  was  in- 
augurated, he  organized  his  council.  It  consisted  of  Vice- Director  Van 
Dincklagen,  a  clever  politician  and  a  thorough  scholar ;  Fiscal  Van  Dyck, 
of  whom  little  can  be  said  in  praise ;  the  learned  and  gentlemanly  Dr. 
La  Montagne  ;  Adriaen  Keyser ;  and  Captain  Bryan  Newton.  Van  Tien- 
hoven  was  retained  in  the  office  of  secretary ;  Paulus  Van  der  Grist  was 
made  equipage-master ;  and  George  Baxter,  an  English  gentleman  of  good 
education,  was  reappointed  English  secretary  and  interpreter. 

A  court  of  justice  was  established,  over  which  Van  Dincklagen  was 
appointed  presiding  judge.  Stuyvesant,  however,  reserved  the  right  to 
preside  in  person  whenever  he  should  think  proper,  and  required  that 
his  own  opinions  should  be  consulted  in  important  matters. 

Proclamations  were  issued  with  marvelous  rapidity.  The  first  on 
record  relates  to  the  Sabbath.  Experience  had  long  before  yielded,  upon 
every  hand,  its  testimonies  to  the  wisdom  of  the  Divine  institution. 
Then,  as  now,  it  w  as  esteemed  the  duty  of  government  to  protect  it,  and 
to  confirm  to  the  people  the  material  and  vital  benefits  which  it  is  so  well 
calculated  to  secure.  As  a  means  of  social,  moral,  and  physical  health, 
and  as  a  measure  of  industrial  economy,  if  we  had  no  Sabbath,  the  ordi- 
nation  of  one  would  come  directly  within  the  scope  of  Legislation.  Stuy- 
vesant was  possessed  with  a  profound  sense  of  its  importance  as  a  direct 
means  for  the  establishment  and  perpetuation  of  a  pure  Christianity  in 
this  country  ;  and  for  his  sentiments  and  his  efforts  in  that  direction 
he  deserves  to  be  honored  to  the  remotest  posterity.  Another  proclama- 
tion forbade  drunkenness  and  profanity ;  and  still  another  prohibited  the 
sale  of  liquor  and  fire-arms  to  the  Indians,  on  pain  of  death.  Strict  laws 
were  instituted  for  the  protection  of  the  revenues,  which  had  been  de- 
frauded by  the  introduction  of  foreign  merchandise  in  vessels  running 
past  Manhattan  in  the  night.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  one  of  the 
proclamations  on  that  subject :  — 

"Any  one  is  interdicted  from  having  the  hardihood  to  go  into  the  interior 
with  any  cargoes  or  any  merchandise ;  but  they  shall  leave  them  at  the  usual 
places  of  deposit  and  there  wait  for  traffic." 

The  usual  place  for  vessels  to  anchor  was  under  the  guns  of  the  fort, 
near  a  queer  little  hand-board,  which  stood  on  the  water's  edge.  To  re- 
plenish the  treasury,  taxes  were  levied  on  liquors,  and  the  export  duties 
on  peltries  were  increased.  All  outstanding  tenths  due  from  the  impover- 
ished farmers  were  called  in,  but  a  year's  grace  for  the  payment  was  allowed 
iu  consideration  of  losses  by  the  war.  The  people  grumbled.  Who  will 
pay  taxes  with  a  cheerful  countenance,  particularly  when  it  is  at  the 


THE  FIRST  SURVEYORS. 


135 


supreme  command  of  an  individual,  and  through  the  withholding  of  his 
birthright,  the  franchise  ?  But  Stuyvesant's  military  training  made  him 
imperious ;  and,  in  point  of  fact,  his  instructions  from  the  West  India 
Company  gave  him  less  discretionary  power  than  has  been  generally  sup- 
posed. He  must  govern  absolutely  ;  and  he  was  by  no  means  backward 
in  obeying  such  instructions. 

Workmen  were  employed  to  put  the  fort  in  repair ;  and  others  were 
engaged  to  complete  the  church,  of  which  Stuyvesant  at  once  became  a 
member  and  set  an  example  of  devout  Sabbath  worship.  The 
little  village,  with  its  crooked  roads  winding  round  hillocks  and 
ledges,  its  untidy  houses  with  hog-pens  and  chicken-coops  in  front  and 
tumble-down  chimneys  in  the  rear,  had  some  surveyors  appointed  over 
it  in  July,  —  Van  Dincklagen,  Van  der  Grist,  and  Van  Tienhoven.  They 
understood  what  improvements  were  needed  to  make  the  new  dorp  the 
miniature  of  a  thrifty  Holland  town,  and  were  very  energetic  in  their 
measures.  The  streets  were  straightened,  even  to  the  removing  of  some 
huge  obstacles ;  nuisances  were  done  away  with ;  great  piles  of  accumu- 
lated rubbish  were  dumped  into  the  water ;  a  better  class  of  houses  was 
erected  under  their  supervision ;  and  all  owners  of  vacant  lots  were  com- 
pelled to  improve  them  within  nine  months  after  purchase. 

In  the  mean  time  Kuyter  and  Melyn  were  instituting  proceedings 
against  Kieft.  They  had  lost  heavily  by  the  Indian  war,  and  were 
determined  to  compel  an  investigation  of  its  causes.  They  proposed  that 
all  the  leading  men  of  the  colony  should  be  summoned  into  court  and 
examined  on  oath  in  regard  to  it.  They  prepared  a  list  of  questions  to 
be  put  to  them,  tending  to  elicit  a  train  of  evidence  that  would  place 
the  matter  correctly  before  the  company  in  Holland. 

Stuyvesant  appointed  a  commission  to  decide  upon  the  propriety  of 
granting  such  an  inquiry ;  and,  as  soon  as  the  members  came  together,  he 
expressed  his  opinion  emphatically,  that  "  the  two  malignant  fellows  were 
disturbers  of  the  peace,  and  that  it  was  treason  to  complain  of  one's  magis- 
trates, whether  there  was  cause  or  not."  He  had  evidently  taken  alarm  at 
the  dangerous  precedent  of  allowing  subjects  to  judge  rulers,  since  his 
own  acts  might  have  to  pass  the  ordeal.  Kieft  was  delighted  at  this 
mark  of  favor  from  the  new  governor,  and  emboldened  by  it  to 

6      -        '  J  July  11. 

accuse  his  accusers.  He  had  a  double  incentive ;  personal  and 
revengeful  hatred,  and  the  rescue  of  his  own  character  from  ignominy. 
The  following  day,  Kuyter  and  Melyn  were  arrested  on  a  charge  of  "  re- 
bellion and  sedition."  They  were  brought  to  trial  almost  immediately. 
This  trial  occupied  several  days,  and  created  the  wildest  excitement. 
Stuyvesant  occupied  the  bench,  and  Judge  Van  Dincklagen  sat  by  his 


136 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


side.  Lawyers  were  rare  on  this  side  of  the  water,  hence  the  prisoners 
defended  themselves,  and  they  did  it  in  an  able  manner.  They  produced 
ample  proof  to  sustain  their  charges  against  Kieft,  towards  whom  they 
said  they  had  no  vindictive  feelings  whatever.  They  admitted  that  in 
the  heat  of  war,  and  smarting  under  the  loss  of  property,  they  had  com- 
plained to  the  authorities  in  Holland,  but  not  to  strangers,  nor  had  any 
deception  at  any  time  been  used.    It  was  a  singular  tribunal :  their  case 

^  had  been  prejudged.  They  were  pronounced  guilty  ;  and  capital 
'  punishment  was,  for  a  time,  seriously  contemplated.  They  were 
even  denied  the  right  of  appeal  to  the  Fatherland.  "  If  I  were  persuaded 
that  you  would  bring  this  matter  before  their  High  Mightinesses,  I  would 
have  you  hanged  on  the  highest  tree  in  New  Netherland,"  said  Stuyvesant, 
as  he  pronounced  their  sentence.  Melyn  was  banished  for  seven  years 
and  fined  three  hundred  guilders.  Kuyter  was  banished  for  three  years 
and  fined  one  hundred  and  fifty  guilders.  The  fines  were  to  be  given, 
one  third  to  the  attorney -general,  one  third  to  the  church,  and  one  third 
to  the  poor.  The  prisoners  were  required  to  sign  a  written  promise  that, 
in  any  place  to  which  they  might  go,  they  would  never  complain,  or 
speak  in  any  way,  of  what  they  had  suffered  from  Kieft  and  Stuyvesant. 
The  Princess  was  about  to  sail  for  Holland,  and  they  took  passage,  as  did 
also  Dominie  Bogardus,  who  had  been  so  disturbed  by  Kieft  in  his  min- 
isterial labors  that  he  resigned  his  charge  and  obtained  per- 
Aug.  16.  m^sg-on  j.Q  defend  himself  before  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam.  The 
church  was  not  left  without  a  pastor,  for  Dominie  Johannes  Backerus, 
formerly  clergyman  at  Curacoa,  who  had  accompanied  Stuyvesant  to 
New  Amsterdam,  was  installed  as  his  successor,  at  a  salary  of  fourteen 
hundred  guilders  per  annum. 

Kieft  had  managed,  during  his  few  years  in  office,  to  acquire  a  large 
property,  which  he  turned  into  money  before  taking  his  departure  from  the 
province.  He  had  always  entertained  the  idea  that  minerals  abounded 
in  the  vicinity  of  Manhattan.  A  lump  of  mineral  paint  which  an  Indian 
displayed  during  the  trial  of  Kuyter  and  Melyn  had  been  tried  in  a 
crucible,  and  yielded  three  guilders'  worth  of  gold.  This  induced  him 
to  obtain,  through  the  aid  of  the  willing  Indians,  a  variety  of  specimens, 
which  were  nicely  packed  and  taken  with  him  to  Europe.  It  was  the 
last  of  gold-finding  in  this  part  of  the  country ;  and  it  is  more  than  proba- 
ble that  all  that  was  discovered  was  brought  from  some  remote  locality. 
Kieft  sailed  in  the  Princess,  with  the  minister  and  the  exiles.  But  the 
ill-fated  vessel  never  reached  its  destination.  It  was  wrecked  on  the 
rocky  coast  of  Wales,  and  only  about  twenty  persons  were  saved.  They 
floated  on  pieces  of  the  wreck  to  the  shore.    Among  them  were  Kuyter 


THE  WRECK  OF  THE  PRINCESS. 


137 


and  Melyn.  Kieft,  Dominie  Bogardus,  a  son  of  Melyn,  and  eighty-one 
others  perished.  In  the  moment  of  agony,  when  all  hope  was  aban- 
doned, Kieft  confessed  his  injustice  towards  the  two  men  whom  he  had 
wronged,  and  begged  their  forgiveness.  Kuyter  and  Melyn  proceeded  to 
Holland,  where  the  company  afterwards  reversed  their  sentence,  and  they 
returned  with  honor  to  this  country. 

The  sorrowful  tidings  of  the  death  of  Dominie  Bogardus  fell  over  the 
community  like  a  pall.  There  was  universal  sorrow.  His  wife  and 
children,  who  had  remained  behind,  were  the  recipients  of  the  most  heart- 
felt sympathy  and  consideration.  But  Kieft's  fate  excited  very  little 
feeling ;  a  fact  which  could  not  have  escaped  the  notice  of  Stuyvesant. 

Before  the  middle  of  September,  the  pressure  of  public  sentiment  had 
been  so  great,  and  the  opposition  to  the  payment  of  the  revenues  so  spir- 
ited and  determined,  that  Stuyvesant  concluded  to  recognize  to  a  limited 
extent  the  principle  of  "  taxation  only  by  consent,"  which  the  Fatherland 
had  maintained  since  1477.  He  called  a  public  meeting,  and  "  Nine 
Men  "  were  chosen  to  advise  and  assist  in 
the  affairs  of  the  government.  This  repre- 
sentative body  consisted  of  Augustine  Heer- 
mans,  Arnoldus  Van  Hardenburg,  Govert 
Loockermans,  Jan  Jansen  Dam,  Jacob  Van 
Couwenhoven,  Hendrick  Kip,  Michael  Jan- 
sen, Evertsen  Bout,  and  Thomas  Hall. 

Names  are  the  keys  of  family  history, 
unlocking  for  us  the  secrets  of  ancestral 
lineage.  It  is  well  known  that,  in  very 
many  cases,  members  of  distinguished  fam- 
ilies sought  here  a  field  of  enterprise  and 

0  .  Kip's  Arms. 

action  which  was  denied  them  at  home. 

Kip1  was  one  of  those  persons,  and  his  coat-of-arms,2  engraved  upon 

1  The  De  Kype  family  formerly  lived  near  Alencon,  Bretagne,  France.  RulofT  De  Kype  was 
a  Eoman  Catholic.  He  fell  in  battle  in  1 562,  and  the  Protestants  under  Conde  burned  his 
elegant  chateau.  His  son,  Jean  Baptiste,  who  was  a  priest,  secured  his  burial  in  a  neighboring 
church,  where  an  altar-tomb  was  erected  to  his  memory,  surmounted  by  his  arms  with  two 
crests.  The  youngest  son,  RulofT,  settled  in  Amsterdam,  Holland,  and  became  a  Protestant. 
He  died  in  1596,  and  left  one  son,  Hendrick  (born  1576),  who  removed  to  this  country  in  1635, 
with  his  wife  and  children.  He  had  three  sons,  Hendrick,  Jacob,  and  Isaac.  Both  himself  and 
sons  secured  large  tracts  of  land,  and  held  prominent  positions  in  the  New  Netherland  gov-, 
ernment.  Hendrick  married  Anna  De  Sille  in  1660,  the  daughter  of  Hon.  Nacasius  De  Sille. 
Jacob  married  Marie  La  Montagne  in  1654,  the  daughter  of  Dr.  La  Montague.  Rachel,  the 
daughter  of  the  latter,  married  Lucas  Kiersted,  in  1683,  the  grandson  of  Anetje  Jans. 

1  The  coat-of-arms  was  painted  also  uppn  the  window  of  the  Dutch  church  in  New  Amster- 
dam, 


138 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


stone,  was  used  ten  years  later  by  his  son  Jacob,  who  built  it  firmly  into 
the  wall  over  the  front  door  of  the  house  at  Kip's  Bay,  where  it  re- 
mained until  the  building  was  demolished,  in  1851.  Govert  Loocker- 
mans,  also,  was  a  man  of  good  birth  as  well  as  of  strong  character.  He 
was  married  twice  :  first  in  Amsterdam,  February,  1641,  to  Ariaentie  Jans; 
and  second  in  New  Amsterdam,  July,  1649,  to  Maritje  (Maria),  the  widow 
of  Tymen  Jansen.  His  daughter  Maria,  who  married  Balthazar  Bayard 
in  1664,  was  born  while  on  the  voyage  to  America  late  in  the  aiitumn  of 
1641.  His  daughter  Jannetie  (born  1643)  became  the  second  wife  of 
Dr.  Hans  Kiersted.  His  step-daughter,  Elsie  Tymens,  was  twice  married, 
her  second  husband,  whom  she  wedded  in  1663,  being  the  celebrated 
Jacob  Leisler.  Two  sisters,  handsome  and  accomplished  women,  accom- 
panied Govert  Loockermans  to  this  country,  one  of  whom  married  Jacob 
Van  Couwenhoven ;  the  other,  Anetje  (or  Ann,  as  the  name  was  Angli- 
cised), was  married  to  Oloff  S.  Van  Cortlandt,  in  the  Dutch  Church  of 
New  Amsterdam,  February  26,  1642.  Loockermans  bought  a  large  tract 
of  land  and  rented  it  out  to  laborers ;  he  owned  two  or  three  sailing 
vessels,  erected  a  store,  and  became  a  thriving  man  of  business. 

The  winter  which  followed  was  memorable  in  the  history  of  Stuy- 
vesant. He  had  shed  his  blood  on  battle-fields  before  he  took  up  his 
abode  in  New  Netherland;  but  he  had  never  encountered  such  a  snarl' of 
disputes  as  arose  about  the  boundary  lines  of  the  province.  It  was  the 
same  subject  continued  which  had  pestered  Kieft,  and  which  seemed  to 
grow  more  unwieldy  and  less  likely  to  be  settled  every  year.  He  was 
harassed  also  by  the  encroachments  of  the  Swedes  on  the  Delaware. 
And  in  the  midst  of  his  efforts  to  harmonize  the  contending  parties,  the 
Indians  exhibited  signs  of  uneasiness  because  their  promised  presents 
were  in  arrears.  They  demanded  fire-arms,  too,  of  the  Dutch ;  and,  despite 
the  new  code  of  stringent  laws,  a  contraband  trade  in  this  commodity  was 
carried  on.  On  one  occasion,  this  crime  was  charged  upon  three  hitherto 
respectable  men,  and  they  were  tried  and  found  guilty.  Stuyvesant  con- 
demned them  to  death ;  but  friends  interceded,  and  their  lives  were 
spared,  though  their  property  was  confiscated.  Stuyvesant  was  engaged 
in  frequent  wrangles  with  the  "  Nine  Men,"  who  acted  in  the  capacity 
of  legislators,  and  held  decided  opinions  of  their  own ;  and  he  had  still 
more  serious  controversies  with  the  patroons,  who  interfered  with  the 
trade  of  the  company,  and  denied  the  governor's  authority  over  them. 
The  subordinate  officers  of  the  government  were  captious  and  sometimes 
insolent,  and  all  at  once  the  people  united  with  the  New-Englandera  in 

1  A  Dutch  Bible  which  once  belonged  to  Govert.  Loockermans,  and  which  is  now  in  the 
library  of  the  American  Bible  Society,  contains  memoranda  of  the  family,  written  in  Dutch. 


SCHOOLS  AND  EDUCATION. 


139 


one  grievous  complaint  against  the  high  custom-house  duties.  Verily, 
the  governor's  lines  had  not  fallen  in  pleasant  places. 

He  found  time,  in  the  midst  of  his  many  and  disagreeable  ig4g 
duties,  to  think  a  little  about  the  feeble  settlement,  which  was  cer- 
tainly in  great  need  of  friendly  care. 

In  June  of  that  year,  the  first  "  fire-wardens  "  were  appointed,  at  his 
suggestion.  They  were  to  inspect  the  chimneys  between  the  fort 
and  the  Fresh  Water  Pond.  Their  names  were  Adriaen  Keyser, 
Thomas  Hall,  Martin  Cregier,  and  George  Woolsey.  For  a  foul  chimney, 
the  owner  was  fined  three  guilders.  If  a  house  was  burned  through  care- 
lessness in  that  respect,  the  occupant  was  fined  twenty-five  guilders. 
The  fines  were  to  be  used  to  buy  hooks,  ladders,  and  buckets ;  but  it  was 
several  years  before  the  fund  became  large  enough  to  invest  to  any 
advantage. 

There  were  many  little  taverns  springing  up  all  over  the  lower  part 
of  the  island,  and  Stuy vesant  took  it  upon  himself  to  inspect  them ; 
for  he  feared,  with  reason,  that  they  seriously  endangered  the  Julyg 
morals  of  the  people,  since  they  were  but  fountains  of  bad  liquor, 
and  the  habitual  resort  of  Indians  and  negroes.    He  made  it  therefore  an 
indictable  offense  to  keep  one  open  without  a  license,  and  he  required  all 
those  who  received  licenses  to  procure  or  build  better  buildings  "  for  the 
adornment  of  the  town."    He  also  issued  a  proclamation  that  no  hogs 
and  goats  should  for  the  future  be  pastured  between  the  fort  and  Fresh 
Water  Pond,  except  within  suitable  inclosures.    As  the  autumn  rolled 
round,  he  established  a  weekly  market,  which  was  held  on  Mon- 
days.   Soon  after,  in  imitation  of  one  of  the  customs  of  Holland,  Sept' 18' 
he  instituted  an  annual  cattle-fair,  to  commence  every  first  Monday  after 
the  feast  of  St.  Bartholomew  and  continue  ten  days. 

About  that  time,  Jan  Stevensen  opened  a  small  private  school  which 
was  tolerably  well  patronized.  The  best  families  had  generally  their 
own  private  tutors  direct  from  Europe ;  but  there  were  enough  to  support 
a  school  besides,  and  the  new  teacher  found  himself  fully  occupied. 
Stuyvesant  was  very  earnest  in  the  matter  of  providing  means  for  "  the 
education  of  every  child  in  the  colony."  He  wrote  to  the  West  India 
Company  several  times  on  the  subject  of  establishing  a  public  school, 
which  he  said  ought  to  be  furnished  with  at  least  two  good  teachers.  He 
related  how,  for  a  long  time,  they  had  passed  round  the  plate  among 
themselves,  but  "  had  only  built  the  school  with  words,  for  the  money 
thus  collected  was  always  needed  for  some  other  purpose."  He  expa- 
tiated upon  the  great  necessity  of  instructing  the  youth,  not  only  in 
reading  and  writing,  but  in  the  knowledge  and  fear  of  God.    His  sugges- 


140 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Van  Rensselaer  Arms  on  Window. 


tions  were  treated  with  marked  respect  by  his  employers,  and  in  course 
of  time  met  with  a  favorable  response. 

The  colony  of  Rensselaerswick  had  become,  in  the  natural  course 
of  events,  an  independent  power;  and  all  efforts  on  the  part  of  the 

company  to  induce  the  patron  to  cede  to 
them  any  of  his  rights  had  failed.  Such 
a  power  was  looked  upon  as  very  injuri- 
ous to  the  interests  of  the  province ;  and, 
since  it  could  not  be  bought  off,  Governor 
Stuyvesant  was  instructed  to  circumscribe 
its  jurisdiction  as  far  as  possible.  The  pa- 
troon,  understanding  what  immunities  were 
claimed  for  manors  and  municipalities  in 
Europe,  would  hold  no  fellowship  with  a 
man  who  arrogated  to  himself  supreme  rul- 
ership  in  New  Netherland,  without  proper 
regard  for  the  feudal  privileges  granted  by 
the  charter  of  the  company.  Brant  Van 
Slechtenhorst  was  the  champion  of  the 
views  of  the  late  Van  Rensselaer,  as  well 
as  of  the  rights  of  the  infant  lord,  and,  being  of  a  resolute  temper,  paid 
no  attention  to  the  governor's  orders  in  any  respect. 

Stuyvesant  finally  resolved  to  visit  the  colony  in  person,  and  with  a  mil- 
Juiy2i  ^avy  esc0I*t  proceeded  up  the  river.  The  fort  itself  and  the  land 
immediately  about  it  were  the  property  of  the  company.  Van 
Slechtenhorst  was  summoned  to  answer  for  his  contempt  of  authority. 
He  did  answer,  and  it  was  by  protest  to  protest.  He  charged  the  governor 
with  having  interfered  with  him,  contrary  to  ancient  order  and  usage  ;  as 
if  he,  Stuyvesant,  and  not  Van  Rensselaer,  were  lord  of  the  patroon's 
colony.  Stuyvesant  ordered  that  no  buildings  should  be  erected  within 
a  prescribed  distance  from  Fort  Orange,  and  Van  Slechtenhorst  declared 
such  an  order  an  aggression  which  could  not  be  justified.  He  said  the 
soil  belonged  to  the  patroon.  Stuyvesant  replied,  that  "  the  objectionable 
buildings  endangered  the  fort."  Slechtenhorst  hotly  pronounced  the 
governor's  argument  a  mere  pretext.  No  definite  results  were  obtained ; 
and,  after  Stuyvesant's  departure,  Slechtenhprst  continued  his  improve- 
ments precisely  as  before.  We  can  hardly  realize,  at  this  late  day,  that 
our  republican  State  of  New  York  once  harbored  within  its  borders 
something  so  nearly  akin  to  a  principality  ;  but  such  is  the  fact.  Stuy- 
vesant wrote  to  Van  Slechtenhorst  that  force  would  be  used  if  he  did  not 
desist  from  erecting  buildings  ;  but  it  only  provoked  a  characteristically 


THE  GOVERNOR'S  FAILURE. 


141 


impudent  retort,  and  a  criticism  upon  the  technical  formality  of  the  gov- 
ernor's legal  proceedings.  Van  Slechtenhorst  followed  up  his  reply  to 
Stuyvesant  by  forbidding  the  company's  commissary  at  Fort  Orange  to 
quarry  stone  or  cut  timber  within  the  boundaries  of  the  colony,  while  he 
himself  was  actively  putting  up  houses  for  the  patroon  within  pistol-shot 
of  the  fort. 

Stuyvesant,  having  been  informed  of  this  fact,  dispatched  a  military 

force  to  arrest  Van  Slechtenhorst  and  demolish  the  buildings. 

°      Sept  21. 

Their  mission  was  not  performed  to  the  letter,  however.  Van 
Slechtenhorst,  who  was  himself  a  shrewd  lawyer,  refused  to  appear  at  Fort 
Amsterdam  with  his  papers  and  commissions  until  a  summons  should  be 
legally  served ;  and  he  demanded  a  copy  in  writing  of  the  governor's  claims 
and  complaints.  The  Rensselaerswick  colonists  were  angered  at  Stuyves- 
ant's  hostile  movements,  and  the  Mohawk  savages  were  with  difficulty  re- 
strained from  attacking  the  soldiers.  After  much  confusion,  the  military 
company  was  withdrawn,  the  houses  were  left  standing,  and  matters  con- 
tinued unsettled. 

Dominie  Megapolensis  asked  his  dismission  from  the  church  at  Rens- 
selaerswick during  the  summer,  as  did  also  Dominie  Backerus  from 
the  church  at  New  Amsterdam,  both  gentlemen  wishing  to  return  Aug' 15' 
to  Europe.    The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  was  then  petitioned  for  "old, 
experienced,  and  godly  ministers";  but  although  every  effort  was 
made,  and  there  were  many  consultations  held  in  Holland  with  ept'2' 
the  Directors  of  the  company  and  the  heirs  of  Van  Rensselaer,  it  was 
difficult  to  find  "  experienced  "  ministers  willing  to  undertake  such  "  a 
far  distant  voyage." 1 

The  Dutch  could  not  fail  to  see  that  the  colonies  of  their  English  neigh- 
bors, where  neither  patroons  nor  lords  nor  princes  were  known,  were  much 
more  flourishing  than  their  own ;  and  they  complained  bitterly  to  the  gov- 
ernor. He  had  made  the  same  observations,  but  could  not  remedy  the 
evils  that  were  retarding  the  progress  of  New  Netherland ;  and  he  was 
unreasonably  jealous  of  any  attempt  on  the  part  of  others  to  institute 
reforms.  Again  a  long  correspondence  about  boundaries  ensued  with  the 
New  England  authorities,  and  the  tone  of  it  was  exceedingly  bitter. 

Retaliation  was  threatened.    Then  Stuyvesant  was  accused  of  trying  to 
instigate  the  Indians  to  rise  up  against  the  English.    He  promptly 
vindicated  himself  and  demanded  an  investigation.    In  the  mean  1649' 
time  he  had  written  to  the  West  India  Company,  praying  that  the 
boundary  between  the  Dutch  and  English  provinces  might  be  settled  in 
Europe.    But,  at  this  time,  the  distracted  condition  of  affairs  there  in- 

1  Cor.  Classis  Amst. 


142 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


duced  the  company  to  instruct  their  governor  "  to  live  with  his  neighbors 
on  the  best  terms  possible." 

Every  great  European  event  affected  the  prospects  of  the  American 
colonies.  Civil  war  was  now  raging  in  England.  Charles  I.  was  a 
prisoner  in  the  hands  of  his  subjects.  He  might  perhaps  have  reigned  to 
the  end  of  a  peaceful  life,  if  he  had  been  content  to  rule  as  a  constitutional 
sovereign.  At  the  same  time,  the  Parliament  party  went  beyond  the 
limits  of  the  constitution  in  their  desire  to  preserve  the  constitution. 
The  unfortunate  kiug  was  tried,  condemned,  and  executed  in  front  of  his 
own  banqueting-hall.  As  he  stood  upon  the  scaffold,  Gregory  Brandon, 
his  executioner,  fell  on  his  knees  before  him  and  asked  his  forgiveness. 
"  No ! "  said  the  king ;  "  I  forgive  no  subject  of  mine  who  comes  delib- 
erately to  shed  my  blood."  The  king  spoke  as  became  the  chief 
magistrate  and  the  source  of  the  laws  which  were  violated  in  his  mur- 
der. He  took  off  the  medallion  of  the  order  of  the  Garter,  and  gave  it  to 
Juxon,  saying  with  emphasis,  "  Remember !  "  Beneath  the  medallion  of 
St.  George  was  a  secret  spring  which  removed  a  plate  ornamented  with 
lilies,  under  which  was  a  beautiful  miniature  of  his  beloved  Henrietta. 
The  warning  word  which  has  caused  so  many  historical  surmises  evidently 
referred  to  the  fact  that  he  had  parted  with  the  portrait  of  his  wife  only  at 
the  last  moment  of  his  existence.  Queen  Henrietta  had  escaped  to  the 
Louvre ;  and  her  second  son,  James,  was  with  her  at  the  time  she  received 
the  terrible  news.  Her  eldest  daughter,  Mary,  was  the  wife  of  William 
II.,  Prince  of  Orange;  and  thither  Charles,  Prince  of  Wales,  and  his 
brother  James  repaired  for  safety,  while  the  broken-hearted  queen 
retired,  with  one  or  two  of  her  ladies,  to  St.  Jacques,  the  Convent  of 
the  Carmelites. 

But  though  England  was  declared  a  republic,  the  monarchical  principle 
survived.  There  could  be  no  republic  ;  and  there  was  no  republic.  Polit- 
ical knowledge  was  not  sufficiently  advanced.  It  is  as  impossible  to 
jump  from  monarchy  to  democratic  equality,  as  to  lay  out  new  streets  in 
a  day  through  a  city  that  is  already  crowded  with  massive  structures. 
Cromwell  saw  the  impossibility  of  a  representative  government,  and 
wished  to  become  king;  but  the  army,  which  was  composed  of  republi- 
cans who  acted  conscientiously,  would  not  allow  it.  He  would  have 
ruled  constitutionally  if  be  could ;  but  by  him  the  English  would  not  be 
so  ruled.  He,  however,  managed  England's  affairs  far  more  wisely  than 
they  had  ever  been  managed  by  a  Stuart,  though  with  an  iron  hand  which 
he  did  not  condescend  to  cover  with  a  velvet  glove. 

It  was  not,  therefore,  a  favorable  moment  for  the  Dutch  to  quarrel  with 
England  or  her  colonies  about  mere  boundary  lines.    But  the  "  pride 


VAN  CORTLANDT. 


143 


and  obstinacy  "  of  Stuyvesant  (for  so  his  fierce  energy  was  called)  was 
increasing  the  number  of  his  opponents  at  an  alarming  rate.  At  the 
second  yearly  election  of  the  "  Nine  Men,"  Adriaen  Van  der  Donck  and 
the  able  and  respected  Oloff  S.  Van  Cortlandt  were  chosen  members  of 
the  board.    Van  Cortlandt  was  a  thriving  merchant  and  one  of  the 


richest  men  in  New  Amsterdam.  His 
estate,  or  a  portion  of  it,  lay  on  the  west 
side  of  Broadway,  near  the  street  which 
perpetuates  his  name.  The  "  Nine  Men," 
at  one  of  their  subsequent  meetings,  deter- 
mined upon  sending  a  delegation  to  Hol- 
land to  demand  certain  reforms  and  regu- 
lations which  had  been  promised  by  the 
company,  and  waited  for  patiently  in  vain. 
They  asked  permission  to  convene  the  peo- 
ple, to  confer  on  the  subject  "  how  expenses 
should  be  defrayed,"  etc.  Stuyesant  de- 
clined granting  their  request,  and  told 
them  in  writing  "  that  communications 


van  cortlandt  Arms.  must  be  made  with  the  company  through 

the  governor,  and  his  instructions  followed." 

The  "  Nine  Men  "  thought  differently.  They  promised  Stuyvesant  to 
send  no  document  to  Holland  without  giving  him  a  copy,  but  pronounced 
his  last  demand  "  unreasonable  and  antagonistical  to  the  welfare  of  the 
country."  As  he  woidd  not  allow  the  people  to  be  convened,  a  committee 
from  the  "  Nine  Men  "  went  from  house  to  house  to  learn  their  opinions. 
This  excited  the  governor's  extreme  displeasure,  and  various  intrigues  were 
resorted  to,  on  his  part,  to  counteract  the  influence  of  the  popular  tribunes. 
Among  other  things,  he  and  his  council  summoned  a  meeting  of  delegates 
from  the  militia  and  towns-people,  to  consider  the  question  of  sending 
agents  to  the  Fatherland  on  some  important  matters,  not  named. 

The  "  Nine  Men "  were,  nevertheless,  determined  to  carry  out  their 
plans.  Van  der  Donck  was  appointed  secretary,  and  was  expected  to 
keep  a  careful  journal  of  the  proceedings.  He  lodged  in  the  house  of 
Jan  Jansen  Dam.  One  day,  in  his  absence,  Stuyvesant  sent  to  his  cham- 
ber and  seized  all  his  papers,  and  the  next  morning  ordered  him  to  be 
arrested  and  thrown  into  prison. 

This  high-handed  measure  was  followed  by  a  public  meeting  at  the  fort, 
consisting  of  the  governor,  council,  officers  of  the  militia,  and  depu- 
tations  from  the  citizens.  Van  Dincklagen,  the  Vice-Director,  had 
a  keen  sense  of  justice  ;  and,  as  his  superior  had  acted  without  his  knowl- 


144 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


edge  or  approval  in  the  matter  of  Van  der  Donck,  be  demanded  that  the 
prisoner  be  admitted  on  bail,  and  heard  in  his  own  defense.  Stuyvesant 
refused.  Angry  words  followed,  on  both  sides.  It  soon  became  evident 
that  the  majority  of  the  council  were  inclined  to  treat  Van  der  Donck 
harshly.  Van  der  Donck  himself,  seeing  the  turn  events  were  taking, 
asked  for  his  journal,  that  he  might  correct  some  errors  in  it ;  but  the 
request  was  refused.    He  was  examined  a  few  days  later,  and  his 

Miil'Cll  X5 

conduct  condemned  "  as  tending  to  bring  sovereign  authority  into 
contempt " ;  and  he  was  thereupon  excluded  from  the  executive  council, 
and  also  from  all  legislative  authority  in  connection  with  the  "  Nine  Men." 
Van  Dincklagen  publicly  disclaimed,  and  with  great  vehemence,  his  co- 
operation in  this  war  against  the  free  exercise  of  the  right  of  petition. 

In  the  midst  of  the  excitement,  Cornelis  Melyn,  so  recently  banished 
in  disgrace,  suddenly  appeared  in  Manhattan,  restored  to  the  full  rights 
of  a  colonist,1  and  armed  with  a  summons  for  Stuyvesant  to  answer  for 
his  conduct  before  the  States-General  and  Prince  of  Orange  without 
delay,  either  in  person  or  by  attorney.  Determined  to  make  his 
triumph  as  public  as  his  former  dishonor  had  been,  he  took  ad- 
vantage of  a  meeting  in  the  church  in  the  fort,  and  demanded  that  the 
paper  he  held,  containing  the  acts  of  their  High  Mightinesses,  should  be 
read  then  and  there  by  one  of  the  "  Nine  Men."  After  a  noisy  debate,  he 
carried  his  point,  and  the  mandamus  and  summons  were  read  to  the 
assemblage  by  Arnoldus  Van  Hardenburg. 

Stuyvesant  was  stung  and  humiliated  beyond  expression,  but  replied : 
"  I  shall  honor  the  States-General  by  obeying  their  commands  ;  yet,  until 
I  am  discharged  by  the  company,  an  attorney  must  answer  for  me  in 
Holland."  He  refused  any  conversation  or  communication  with  Melyn, 
and  required  an  apology  from  each  of  his  subordinates  for  their  share  in 
the  transactions  at  the  church.  He  appointed  Van  Tienhovep  and  Jan 
Jansen  Dam,  whose  daughter  Van  Tienhoven  had  married,  as  his  repre- 
sentatives to  the  Hague.  Van  Tienhoven  was  admirably  fitted  for  this 
mission.  He  was  crafty,  cautious,  and  sharp-witted.  When  he  at- 
tempted to  defend  any  plot  or  scheme,  his  eloquence  had  all  the  charm  of 
sincerity.  He  is  known  to  have  Keen  dishonest  in  a  multitude  of  ways, 
and  for  that  reason,  as  well  as  others,  he  had  become  generally  disliked 
in  the  colony.  He  had  been  so  long  a  servant  of  the  company  that  he 
was  intelligent  as  to  its  concerns  ;  and  he  knew  the  people  and  the  con- 
dition of  affairs  as  well  as  any  one  else,  and  perhaps  better.  Having 

1  Muss.  IIi.it.  Col.,  IX.  27".  .John  Winthrop,  Jr.,  received  a  letter  from  Roger  Williams, 
laying,  "Skipper  Isaac  and  Melyn  are  come  with  u  Dutch  ship,  bringing  letters  from  the 
KtutcK-(!cnerul  c  alling  home  this  Dutch  governor  to  answer  to  many  complaints." 


VAN  DER  DONCK. 


145 


quarreled  personally  with  several  of  the  "  Nine  Men,"  he  was,  from  mo- 
tives of  policy,  a  warm  advocate  for  the  governor.  It  is  said  that  his 
curious  tact  and  strength  of  will  enabled  him  to  maintain  extraordinary 
influence  over  Stuyvesant  for  a  series  of  years.  He  lived  on  an  estate 
of  his  own,  west  of  Pearl  Street  and  above  Maiden  Lane,  his  land  ex- 
tending towards  Broadway. 

The  favor  shown  by  the  States-General  to  Melyn  encouraged  the  "  Nine 
Men "  to  persist  in  their  efforts  for  a  hearing.  Van  der  Donck  was 
regarded  as  a  political  martyr,  and  Melyn  was.  just  in  time  to  throw  fire- 
brands adroitly  in  every  direction.  He  was  engaged,  during  his  stay,  as 
has  since  been  supposed,  in  preparing  Breeden  Baedt,  a  quarto  tract  of 
forty-five  pages,  bearing  date  1649,  which  was  afterwards  published  in 
Antwerp,  his  native  place.  Some  writers  deny  that  he  was  the  author 
of  the  work,  alleging  that  it  must  have  been  written  by  a  lawyer.  So 
far  as  the  dramatic  character  of  various  portions  of  it  is  concerned,  it 
is  one  of  the  best  executed  and  most  effective  of  dialogues.  It  certainly 
could  have  been  produced  only  by  a  genius.1  But  although  very  little 
is  known  of  Melyn,  we  are  not  prepared  to  discredit  his  claim  to  its 
authorship,  particularly  as  the  information  contained  in  it  must  have 
been  founded  upon  his  experience. 

It  happened,  about  that  time,  that  Stuyvesant  received  a  case  of  fire- 
arms which  he  had  ordered  from  Holland,  agreeably  to  a  suggestion  from 
the  company  that  the  best  policy  was  "  to  furnish  them  to  the 
Indians  with  a  sparing  hand,  lest  their  discontent  lead  them  into  Apnl  21 
open  war."  They  were  landed  at  the  fort,  much  to  the  astonishment  and 
disapprobation  of  the  people,  who  began  to  accuse  the  governor  of 
doing  the  business  of  the  whole  country  on  his  own  responsibility. 
Finding  how  strongly  public  opinion  was  setting  against  him,  he  was 
obliged  to  produce  the  communication  of  his  superiors  and  explain  the 
whole  matter. 

Meanwhile,  the  "  Nine  Men  "  had  prepared  a  memorial,  in  which  all 
the  desired  reforms  were  distinctly  stated,  and  a  Vertoogh,  or  remon- 
strance, annexed,  giving  the  reasons  and  detailing  the  grievances  of  the 
people.  Both  documents  were  drafted  by  Van  der  Donck,  and  signed 
by  each  of  the  "  Nine  Men."  The  "  Vertoogh  Van  Nicuw  Nederlandt " 
was  printed  at  the  Hague  in  1650,  in  the  form  of  a  quarto  tract  of 
forty-nine  pages.  Three  of  the  signers,  Van  der  Donck,  Couwen-  July  26 
hoven,  and  Bout,  were  sent  as  delegates  to  the  Hague,  and  Van  Dinck- 
lagen  wrote  a  letter  of  credence  by  them  to  the  States-General.  They 

1  Historical  Essay.    By  G.  M.  Asher. 

10 


146  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


sailed  August  15.  Dominie  Backerus,  who  had  been  waited  upon  by  the 
governor  and  forbidden  to  read  from  the  pulpit  any  papers  not 
'  previously  sanctioned  by  the  administration,  and  Melyn,  were 
passengers  in  the  same  vessel.  Through  the  earnest  entreaties  of  Stuy- 
vesant, Dominie  Megapolensis  remained  at  Manhattan,  although  his  wife 
had  sailed  a  short  time  before. 

Van  Tienhoven  had  already  been  gone  fourteen  days  when  the  dele- 
gates left  New  Netherland  ;  but  he  missed  the  straight  course,  and  was  the 
last  to  arrive  in  Holland.  He  had  with  him  a  mass  of  exculpatory  docu- 
ments, and  letters  from  Stuyvesant  to  the  States-General,  telling  them 
that  many  of  the  papers  necessary  for  his  justification  in  the  case  of 
Kuyter  and  Melyn  had  been  lost  with  the  Princess,  etc.  Also  that 
Melyn  "had  abused  their  safe-conduct  and  behaved  mutinously,"  and 
that  he  "  would  rather  never  have  received  the  commission  of  their  High 
Mightinesses  than  have  his  authority  lowered  in  the  eyes  of  both 
neighbors  and  subjects." 

Both  parties  appeared  before  the  States-General,  and  a  tedious  exami- 
nation, occupying  the  whole  winter,  followed.  It  had  a  beneficial  effect 
upon  New  Netherland,  in  so  far  as  it  brought  the  distant  and  almost 
unknown  province  squarely  before  the  public.  It  put  the  idea  of  migrat- 
ing hither  into  the  heads  of  hundreds  of  persons.  The  West  India  Com- 
pany were  wedded  to  the  existing  order  of  things,  and  sustained  their 
governor.  They  said  those  who  took  umbrage  at  his  haughtiness  "  were 
such  as  sought  to  live  without  either  magistrates  or  law."  They  were 
not  in  favor  of  investing  the  "  Nine  Men  "  with  the  administration  of 
justice,  in  any  degree.  Melyn,  having  placed  his  cause  in  the  hands  of 
an  attorney,  exerted  himself  to  promote  the  settlement  of  Staten  Island. 
He  interested  one  of  the  influential  noblemen  of  the  States-General, 
Baron  Van  der  Capellen,1  who,  in  company  with  some  wealthy  mer- 
chants, bought  and  equipped  a  vessel,  New  Netherlands  Fortune,  and 
sent  her  freighted  with  farmers  and  their  families  to  the  picturesque 
island.  The  States-General  embodied  a  list  of  reforms  as  to  the  manage- 
ment of  New  Netherland  affairs,  in  a  "  Report  "  which  was  submitted  to 
the  Amsterdam  Chamber,  accompanied  by  the  draft  of  a  Provisional 
Order,  providing  for  a  better  system  of  government.  It  provoked  deter- 
mined opposition  from  the  members  of  that  body,  and  a  renewal  of  accu- 
sations against  those  who  had  risen  up  to  injure  the  company  and  their 
servants.  A  copy  of  it,  however,  was  forwarded  to  Stuyvesant  by  Cou- 
wenhoven  and  Bout  on  their  return,  who  brought  also  letters  from  the 

1  YonkliciT  Handriek  Van  der  Capollen,  of  Ryiael,  was  Baron  of  Easels  and  llasselt,  and 
represented  the  principality  of  Gebru  and  the  earldom  of  Zutpliun  in  tho  States-General. 


VAN  DER  DONCK  IN  HOLLAND. 


147 


States-General,  forbidding  the  governor  to  molest  them.  Van  der  Donck 
remained  in  Holland,  to  watch  the  interests  of  the  New  Netherland  peo- 
ple, and  did  not  return  to  America  for  several  years.  During  that  period, 
he  contributed  greatly  towards  bringing  this  country  into  notice  and  im- 
proving its  institutions.  In  1652,  he  was  made  Doctor  of  Laws  at  Leyden. 
He  died  in  New  Amsterdam  in  1655,  leaving  the  colony  of  Colon  Donck, 
or  Yonkers  (his  baronial  estate),  to  his  wife,  who  subsequently  married 
Hugh  O'Neal.  The  property,  after  changing  owners  two  or  three  times, 
became  a  part  of  the  celebrated  Pkdipse  manor. 

In  the  same  vessel  with  the  delegates  came  Dirck  Van  Schelluyne,  a 
Hague  lawyer,  who  was  licensed  to  practice  his  profession  in  New  Am- 
sterdam. He  opened  an  office  in  one  corner  of  a  grocery-store,  i650. 
and  hung  out  a  sign  of  "  Notary  Public."  His  commissioned  duty  April- 
was  "  to  serve  process  and  levy  executions."  He  eventually  removed  to 
Rensselaerswick,  and  ten  years  later  was  secretary  of  that  colony.  In  the 
upper  part  of  the  same  grocery,  a  small  school  was  opened  during  the 
month  of  April  by  Jan  Cornelissen. 

Early  in  the  spring,  men  were  employed  to  repair  Fort  Amsterdam  ;  but 
the  work  progressed  slowly.  The  governor  issued  another  proclamation 
forbidding  the  running  at  large  of  cows,  hogs,  and  goats,  without  a  herds- 
man, between  the  fort  and  the  company's  farm,  and  the  pasture-ground 
occupied  by  Thomas  Hall  and  the  house  of  Mr.  Isaac  Allerton.  Mr. 
Allerton  was  an  Englishman  who  came  over  in  the  Mayflower  to  Plym- 
outh, and  had  now  taken  up  his  residence  at  Manhattan.1  He  lived  in 
a  stone  house  on  the  hill,  near  Beekman  Street ;  and  he  also  owned  a  large 
warehouse  or  store.  He  was  in  partnership  with  Govert  Loockermans. 
The  merchants  of  those  days  dealt  in  every  class  of  merchandise,  and 
raised  their  own  poultry  and  pork,  as  well  as  made  their  own  butter.  A 
general  law  was  passed  that  year,  to  the  effect  that "  inasmuch  as  the  hogs 
spod  the  roads  and  make  them  difficult  of  passage  for  wagons  and  carts, 
every  man  must  stick  rings  through  the  noses  of  such  animals  as  be- 
long to  him." 

1  Isaac  Allerton  is  said  to  have  had  the  best  head  for  business,  and  to  have  been  one  of  the 
most  stirring  persons,  among  the  first  settlers  of  Massachusetts.  He  made  five  voyages  to 
England  in  the  interests  of  the  colony  before  1631.  He  finally  quarreled  with  Plymouth  and 
removed  to  Marblehead,  where  he  built  a  large  fishing-house  and  several  vessels.  It  was  he 
who  sent  to  Ipswich  for  Parson  Avery  ;  and  it  was  his  ill-fated  shallop  which  was  dashed 
against  the  rock,  since  known  as  "  Avery's  Rock,"  —  a  disaster,  the  story  of  which  has  been 
retold  in  one  of  Whittier's  rarest  poems.  Allerton  soon  quarreled  with  Winthrop's  General 
Court,  which  gave  him  "leave  to  depart  from  Marblehead."  The  impulse  which  he  gave 
to  trade  was  never  wholly  lost  ;  and,  at  this  moment,  the  finest  building  in  that  ancient 
town,  for  business  purposes,  is  "Allerton  Block,"  a  name  the  history  of  which  is  almost  un- 
known. 


148 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Brewing  seems  to  have  been  a  favorite  occupation,  and  was  a  source  of 
much  profit.    Pieter  and  Jacob  Couwenhoven,  brothers,  who  came  to 
New  Amsterdam  in  1633,  made  quite  a  fortune  in  that  way,  and  car- 
ried on  at  the  same  time  a  brisk  trade  in  flour,  which  was  bolted 

Apr.  14. 

'  in  windmills.  A  law,  in  the  early  part  of  1650,  required  bakers 
to  make  tbeir  bread  of  the  standard  weight,  and  to  use  nothing  but  pure 
wheat  and  rye  flour,  as  it  came  from  the  mill.  This  precaution  was  to 
silence  the  complaints  about  the  "  poverty  and  leanness  "  of  the  common 
bread.  The  crops  were  not  good  this  year,  in  consideration  of  which  a 
law  was  made,  in  the  autumn,  forbidding  any  one  to  malt  or  brew  wheat, 
and  also  decreeing  that  no  wheat,  rye,  or  baked  bread  shoidd  be  sold 
out  of  the  province. 

The  winter  of  1650  was  one  of  great  severity.  It  was  so  cold  that 
"  ink  froze  in  the  pen."  There  was  much  distress,  as  food  was  scarce 
and  prices  necessarily  high.  When  the  governor,  in  the  face  of  it,  vic- 
tualed the  company's  vessels  on  their  way  to  Curacoa,  the  "  Nine  Men  " 
were  surprised  and  indignant,  and  not  only  remonstrated  but  accused 
him  openly  of  "  wanton  imprudence  "  in  thus  diminishing  supplies  which 
were  already  too  scanty.  It  was  about  the  time  that  the  delegates  arrived 
from  Holland.  They  brought  with  them  arms  and  a  stand  of  colors  for 
the  burgher  guard ;  an  act  which  infuriated  Stuyvesant,  who  refused  to 
have  them  delivered.  A  great  commotion  ensued  in  consequence.  The 
"  Nine  Men  "  pronounced  it  a  tyrannical  outrage,  and  for  their  persistent 
interference  with  his  prerogative  Stuyvesant  publicly  deprived  them  of 
their  pew  in  church.  Both  parties  wrote  letters  of  accusation  to  the  au- 
thorities in  Holland;  and,  what  is  remarkable,  the  English  residents  in 
the  province  defended  the  governor,  and  endorsed  his  sentiments,  charging 
all  the  "  schisms  "  upon  the  returned  delegates. 

In  September,  the  long-contemplated  and  repeatedly  postponed  meeting 
of  the  Dutch  and  New  England  worthies  took  place  at  Hartford.  It  was 
hoped  to  settle  beyond  any  further  question  the  boundary  line 
Sept' 17-  between  the  two  territories.  Stuyvesant  traveled  in  state,  with 
quite  a  train  of  attendants.  The  voyage  occupied  four  days.  He  was  re- 
ceived with  much  ceremony,  and  courteously  entertained  by  the  governor 
of  Hartford.  When  the  commission  assembled,  Stuyvesant  proposed  to 
carry  on  the  negotiations  in  writing.  He  gave  two  reasons  for  this  which 
had  sufficient  weight  to  prevent  any  objections  from  his  opponents  :  that 
it  would  give  greater  accuracy  to  the  proceedings,  and  that  it  would 
save  time,  as  he  could  not  speak  the  English  language  with  fluency.  But 
his  first  paper  provoked  sharp  argument  on  account  of  its  date,  "New 
Nethcrland,"  and  the  New  England  gentlemen  declined  to  go  on  with 


ISAAC  ALLERTON. 


149 


the  business  until  "  Connecticut "  was  substituted  instead.  Stuy  vesant 
apologized.  He  said  the  draft  of  the  paper  had  been  substantially  agreed 
upon  by  himself  and  council  before  he  left  New  Amsterdam,  and  translated 
and  copied  by  his  English  secretary,  George  Baxter,  on  the  voyage ;  as 
for  the  date,  he  supposed  it  was  proper,  but  was  entirely  willing  to  com- 
ply with  their  wishes.  After  that,  the  discussion  of  national  and  ter- 
ritorial and  individual  rights  proceeded  slowly,  but  with  considerable  tact 
and  discretion  as  well  as  earnestness.  Over  a  week  had  been  consumed, 
when  they  finally  agreed  to  submit  the  issue  to  arbitrators.  Simon  Brad- 
street  and  Thomas  Prince  were  chosen  for  New  England,  and  Thomas 
Willett  and  George  Baxter  for  New  Netherland.  Their  decision  was 
accepted.  It  was,  however,  never  ratified  in  England ;  and  the  fact  that 
Stuyvesant  had  confided  the  interests  of  the  Dutch  to  two 
Englishmen  raised  a  storm  of  discontent  in  his  own  province.  ept' 29- 
Vice-Director  Van  Dincklagen  had  had  no  voice  in  the  matter,  and  was 
greatly  offended.  The  "  Nine  Men  "  declared  that  "  the  governor  had 
ceded  away  territory  enough  to  found  fifty  colonies  each  four  miles 
square."  There  was  a  grand  union  of  sentiment  that  it  was  an  insult 
to  the  Dutch  for  Englishmen  to  be  appointed  to  fix  the  English  bounda- 
ries. Stuyvesant  remained  in  Hartford  some  clays  after  his  business  was 
accomplished,  hoping  to  make  arrangements  whereby  the  Indians  should 
be  placed  upon  a  permanent  footing  of  good  behavior.  He  was  treated  by 
his  well-bred  neighbors  with  a  distinguished  attention,  at  which  he  was 
much  pleased.  His  return  voyage  was  exceedingly  rough,  and  his  wel- 
come home  by  an  angry  community  anything  but  cordial.  The  freedom 
of  speech  of  the  "  Nine  Men "  was  so  exasperating,  that  he  threatened 
the  body  with  dissolution.  At  the  next  election,  he  absolutely  refused  to 
select  from  the  nominations  to  fill  vacancies  in  their  board.  Again  they 
appealed  to  the  States-General  for  the  reformation  of  this  "  grievous  and 
unsuitable  government "  ;  and  Melyn,  at  the  Hague,  used  his  influence  to 
the  utmost  against  the  New  Netherland  governor. 


Seal  of  New  Netherlands,  1G23. 


150 


II J  STORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


CHAPTER  X 

1650  - 1654. 

THE  SPIRIT  OF  POPULAR  FREEDOM. 

The  Confiscated  Vessel.  — Governor  Stuyvesant's  Body-Guard.  —  Rensselaf.rswick. 
—  The  Schuyler  Family.  —  The  Navigation  Act. — Rev.  Samuel  Drisius. — 
African  Slavery. — The  Birth  of  the  City. — The  First  City  Fathers. — 
Allard  Anthony.  — William  Beekman.  — The  Prayer  of  the  City  Fathers. — 
Military  Preparations. — Van  per  Donck.  —  Hon.  Nicasius  De  Sille. — The 
Diet  of  New  Amsterdam.  —  Oliver  Cromwell. — Peace  between  England  and 
Holland. 

"        UK  great  Muscovy  duke  keeps  on  as  of  old ;  something  like  the 
V_y  wolf,  the  longer  he  lives  the  worse  he  hites."    Thus  wrote  Van 
Dincklagen  to  Van  der  Donck.    The  West  India  Company,  unwilling  to 
relinquish  any  of  its  power,  was  arrayed  like  a  bulwark  of  iron  against 
the  spirit  of  popular  freedom  which  the  colonists  were  urging 
and  which  was  countenanced  by  the  States-General.    It  was  a 
struggle  for  the  elective  franchise,  and  its  long  subsequent  effects  were 
of  such  a  character  that,  while,  few  portions  of  our  history  are  more 
obscure,  none  are  more  important  or  instructive. 

In  this  extraordinary  controversy,  the  governor,  the  West  India  Com- 
pany, and  the  English  residents  of  New  Netherland  were  on  one  side, 
and  the  States-General  and  the  Dutch  colonists  on  the  other.  "  The 
power  to  elect  a  governor  among  ourselves  would  be  our  ruin,"  was  the 
expression  of  the  English  residents,  in  a  Memorial  seut  to  the  company. 
"  I  shall  do  as  I  please,"  was  Stuyvesant's  reply  more  than  once,  when 
his  attention  was  called  to  some  order  or  suggestion  from  the  States- 
General  which  had  not  been  indorsed  by  the  Amsterdam  Chamber. 
His  mind  was  vigorous  and  acute,  and  he'  never  lacked  the  courage 
to  carry  out  to  the  very  letter  the  peculiar  policy  of  his  immediate 
employers. 

Vim  Dincklagen  was  a  constant  thorn  in  the  governor's  side.  He  was 
a  quick-witted,  sagacious  politician,  —  a  man  who  was  considered  eligi- 
ble to  the  highest  office,  and  who  had  accepted  a  subordinate  position  with 


THE  CONFISCATED  VESSEL. 


151 


a  bad  grace.  He  stood  ready  to  seize  upon  every  mistake  of  executive 
judgment,  and,  with  caustic  satire,  to  hold  it  up  to  the  popular  view  in  its 
most  unfavorable  light.  He  was  an  advocate  of  no  mean  pretensions ; 
and  when  Melyn  arrived  in  the  New  Netherlands  Fortune,  it  was  he 
who  investigated  the  cause  of  the  unusually  long  voyage.  He  discov- 
ered that  boisterous  seas  had  delayed  the  vessel,  that  "  water  had  fallen 
short,"  and  the  "  last  biscuit  been  divided  among  the  passengers,"  and 
that  the  captain  had  been  obliged  to  put  into  Ehode  Island  to  refit  and 
replenish  his  stores.  Stuyvesant  took  his  seat  upon  the  bench  beside 
Van  Dincklagen,  and  pronounced  a  remarkable  decision.  It  was  one  of 
the  regulations  of  the  West  India  Company  that  vessels  should  not 
"  break  bulk  "  between  Holland  and  New  Amsterdam ;  and  he  took  the 
ground  that  the  delay  in  this  case  was  "  needless  and  unjustifiable,"  and 
proceeded  to  seize  the  ship  and  cargo,  supposing  them  to  belong  to  Melyn. 
The  ship  was  sold  to  Thomas  Willett,  who  sent  it  on  a  voyage  to  Vir- 
ginia and  Holland.  At  the  latter  place  it  was  replevied  by  Baron  Van 
der  Capellen,  and  after  a  protracted  litigation  the  company  was  obliged 
to  pay  heavy  damages. 

Melyn  again  took  possession  of  his  lands  on  Staten  Island,  which,  in 
order  to  promote  his  greater  security,  Van  Dincklagen  had  formerly 
purchased  of  the  Earitans  in  the  name  of  Baron  Van  der  Capellen  ;  but 
he  was  presently  summoned  to  New  Amsterdam  by  the  governor 
to  answer  to  various  charges.  Dreading  the  encounter,  he  failed  1651' 
to  obey ;  and,  in  consequence  of  this,  his  house  and  lot  in  the  city  were 
confiscated  and  sold  by  the  government.  Expecting  that  an  effort  would 
be  made  to  arrest  him  at  his  country-house,  he  established  and  fortified 
a  manorial  court  on  one  of  the  petty  eminences  overlooking  what  is 
now  the  village  of  Clifton.  He  was  not  disturbed,  but  he  was  soon 
after  accused  of  trying  to  influence  the  Indians  against  Stuyvesant,  and 
the  council  were  induced  to  pass  a  resolution  that  the  governor  should 
henceforth  be  constantly  attended  by  a  body-guard  of  four  halberdiers. 

Van  Dincklagen  ridiculed  this  action  on  the  part  of  his  colleagues. 
He  denied  the  absurd  stories  in  regard  to  Melyn.  He  even  volunteered 
to  bring  the  chiefs  of  the  Earitan  and  other  tribes  to  the  fort,  to  prove 
the  falsity  of  the  charge  that  "  one  hundred  and  seventeen  savages  had 
been  supplied  with  arms  and  ammunition  !  " 

About  the  same  time,  Van  Dincklagen,  with  the  assistance  of  Van 
Dyck,  prepared  and  sent  an  elaborate  protest  to  the  States-General,  in 
which  he  claimed  to  picture  the  popular  griefs  and  the  general 
dissatisfaction  of  the  colonists  with  the  administration.    When  it    "  ' 
came  to  the  knowledge  of  Stuyvesant,  he  was  thoroughly  enraged. 


152 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


"Without  a  moment's  hesitation,  he  ordered  Van  Dincklagen  to  be  expelled 
from  the  council  board.  The  Vice-Director  flatly  refused  to  leave,  on  the 
ground  that  his  commission  was  from  the  same  supreme  authority  as  that 
of  the  governor  himself.  However  that  might  be  as  a  question  of  law, 
Stuyvesant  waited  only  until  a  file  of  soldiers  could  be  summoned,  before 
ordering  Van  Dincklagen  to  be  dragged  from  the  room  and  thrown  into 
prison.  The  affair  created  an  intense  sensation.  Van  Dincklagen's  wife 
and  daughter  went  to  the  prison  to  see  him,  and  were  denied  admittance. 
Stuyvesant  was  denounced  by  many  as  jealous  and  exacting,  and  by 
others  warmly  applauded  for  his  prompt  action.  He  was  sustained  by 
the  majority  of  the  council.  In  the  course  of  a  few  days,  Van  Dinck- 
lagen was  released  from  confinement,  but  was  allowed  no  further  par- 
ticipation in  the  government.  He  retired  to  Melyn's  manor-house  on 
Staten  Island,  where  he  met  with  cordial  sympathy.  Van  Dyck,  because 
of  the  part  he  had  taken  in  the  complaint,  was  removed  from  office ; 
and  the  lawyer,  Schelluyne,  who  attested  the  protest,  was  forbidden 
to  practice  his  profession.  Loockermans  and  Heermans,  who  lent  some 
assistance,  were  prosecuted  and  heavily  fined. 

While  these  and  similar  events  were  agitating  Manhattan,  Van  Tien- 
hoven,  at  Amsterdam,  was  amusing  himself  by  playing  the  gallant  lover 
to  the  pretty  young  daughter  of  a  respectable  fur-merchant.  Pretending 
to  be  a  single  man,  he  won  her  affections  under  promise  of  marriage, 
and  finally  persuaded  her  to  elope  with  him  "to  America.  Having  sub- 
mitted an  able  defense  of  Stuyvesant  and  his  officers  to  the  States- 
General,  he  was  about  to  embark,  when  a  message  sent  in  hot  haste  to 
the  Amsterdam  Chamber  ordered  him  to  report  immediately  at  the 
Hague  for  examination  by  their  High  Mightinesses.  The  summons  re- 
quired also  the  presence  of  his  father-in-law,  Jan  Jansen  Dam.  The  pro- 
test of  Van  Dincklagen  had  been  received,  and  Van  der  Donck  had  replied 
to  Van  Tienhoven's  defense  in  a  spirited  and  effective  manner.  Greatly 
annoyed  at  the  delay,  Van  Tienhoven  proceeded  to  the  Hague.  He  was 
arrested,  the  very  evening  of  his  arrival,  on  the  charge  of  adultery.  In 
the  course  of  two  or  three  days  he  made  his  escape,  and  reached  the 
vessel  bound  for  New  Amsterdam  in  time  to  secure  his  passage.  The 
capture  of  the  cargo  of  a  Portuguese  merchant-vessel  on  the  voyage  is 
supposed  to  have  subsequently  secured  his  acquittal ;  but  he  was  hope- 
lessly disgraced.  His  return  to  New  Amsterdam  was  a  misfortune  to  the 
community.    He  was  likened  to  "an  evil  spirit  scattering  torpedoes." 

Pensselaerswick  was  so  far  from  the  capital  that  it  was  not  affected 
by  these  disturbances.  It  continued  to  grow,  while  the  progress  of 
New  Amsterdam  was  seriously  retarded.    Van  Slechtenhorst  had  stood 


RENSSELAERSWICK. 


153 


nut  buldly  against  the  governor,  and  extended  the  limits  of  the  patroon's 
colony,  until  he  had  at  last  been  arrested  and  imprisoned  for  four  months 
iu  the  fort  at  New  Amsterdam.  He  made  his  escape  by  secreting  him- 
self on  a  sloop  bound  for  Albany,  the  skipper  of  which  he  had  fully 
indemnified  against  possible  harm.  Stuyvesant  arrested  the  skipper  on 
his  return,  and  fined  him  two  hunched  and  fifty  guilders  and  costs.  Van 
Slechtenhorst  estimated  the  whole  expense  of  his  luckless  trip  down  the 
Hudson  at  about  one  thousand  guilders.  He  soon  after  issued  an  order 
that  all  the  householders  and  freemen  of  his  colony  should  take  the 
oath  of  allegiance  to  the  patroon  and  his  representatives.  The  occasion 
of  this  was  the  fear  that  Stuyvesant  would  execute  his  threatened  pur- 
pose of  extending  the  jurisdiction  of  Fort  Orange,  and  so  sever-  „  „ 

l  d  o  o  Nov.  28. 

ing  from  the  colony  the  populous  little  village  of  Beverwyck, 
which  lay  close  to  and  around  the  citadel,  and  which  was  every  day 
becoming  more  valuable.  Among  those  who  bound  themselves  "  to 
maintain  and  support  offensively  and  defensively "  the  interests  of 
Rensselaerswick,  was  John  Baptist  Van  Rensselaer,  a  younger  half- 
brother  of  the  patroon,  who  had  just  been  appointed  to  the  magis- 
tracy of  the  colony.1  Philip  Pietersen  Schuyler,  the  ancestor  of  the 
American  family  of  Schuylers,  had  been  in  Rensselaerswick  a  little  more 

than  a  year,  and  had  also  taken  the  oath 
of  allegiance  to  the  patroon.  He  had 
recently  married  Margritta,  one  of  the 
daughters  of  the  cool  and  fearless  Van 
Slechtenhorst.  He  was  a  young  man  of 
ability,  and  was  already  activety  assisting 
in  the  management  of  public  affairs.  To 
prepare  the  reader  for  an  acquaintance 
with  the  different  members  of  his  family 
as  they  shall  be  introduced  from  time  to 
time  in  future  chapters,  we  digress  a 
moment  to  speak  of  his  ten  children.2 
Guysbert  was  the  eldest  son,  —  a  man 
of  whom  very  little  is  known.  Gertrude 
was  the  eldest  daughter,  beautiful,  edu- 
cated, and  high-bred,  —  indeed,  the  belle 
of  Rensselaerswick,  prior  to  her  marriage  and  removal  to  New  Amster- 
dam as  Mrs.  Stephanas  Van  Cortlandt.  Alida,  the  second  daughter,  was 
scarcely  less  attractive  than  her  sister.    She  married,  when  only  seven- 

1  Ilolcjatc's  American  Gcanology. 

2  0' CaUarjhan,  II.  171,  177.    La  Pothcric 's  History  of  North  America. 


154 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


teen,  the  Rev.  Nicolaus  Van  Rensselaer ;  and,  after  his  death,  the  famous 
Robert  Livingston.  Peter,  the  next  son  in  the  order  of  age,  was  the  first 
mayor  of  Albany.    He  was  the  great  colonel  whose  wise  counsels  and 

personal  exertions  at  one 

SB 


period  preserved  the  prov- 
ince from  an  Indian  war  ; 
and  who,  at  another,  es- 
corted five  Indian  chiefs 
to  England  to  persuade 
the  government  to  drive 
the  French  out  of  Canada. 
In  1719,  as  the  oldest 
member  of  the  executive 
council,  he  assumed,  for  a 
season,  the  entire  govern- 
Brandt,  who  had  more  ge- 
command,  went,  when 
where  he  married,  in  1682, 


Schuyler  Mansion  at  the  Flats  in  1875. 

ment  of  New  Netherlands 
nius  for  trade  than  for 
quite  young,  to  New  Amsterdam, 
Cornelia  Van  Cortland t,  the  daughter  of  Oloff  S.  Van  Cortlandt,  and 
sister  of  Stephanus.  Arent  likewise  took  up  his  abode  in  the  metropolis.2 
Sibylla  died  in  infancy.  Philip  settled  in  Albany.  John,  the  youngest 
son,  held  a  captain's  commission  in  1090,  when  only  twenty-three  years  of 
age,  and  led  into  Canada  an  expedition  which  achieved  a  brilliant  victory 
over  the  French  and  Indians.  He  was  the  grandfather  of  General  Philip 
Schuyler,  of  Revolutionary  memory.  The  youngest  daughter  was  Mar- 
gritta.  The  elder  Schuyler  died  at  Albany,  March  9,  1684.  His  will 
bears  date  May  1,  1683,  0.  S. 

On  New  Year's  evening,  the  soldiers  at  Fort  Orange  became  hilarious, 
and  a  few  of  them  started  out  on  a  frolic.    Coming  in  front  of  the  house 
1658.  of  Van  Slechtenhorst,  they  ignited  some  cotton  and  threw  it  upon 
Jan.  l  the  roof.    The  inmates  almost  immediately  discovered  the  fire, 
and  by  active  exertions  saved  the  building  from  destruction.    The  next 
day,  a  son  of  Van  Slechtenhorst  met  some  of  the  soldiers  in  the  street,  and 
accosting  them  in  relation  to  the  mischief  they  had  occasioned, 
threatened  them  sharply;  whereupon  they  charged  upon  him, 
threw  him  down,  and  having  severely  beaten  him,  dragged  him  through 
the  mud.     Schuyler  hastened  to  the  assistance  of  his  brother-in-law; 
but  Dyckinan,  the  commander  of  the  fort,  who  stood  by,  swore  he 
would  run  him  through  with  his  drawn  sword  if  he  did  not  keep  out  of 
the  way.    Others  who  rushed  into  the  fray  received  severe  blows. 
1  He  married,  Oct.  '25,  lti72,  Marin,  daughter  of  Kilian  Van  jtauwHWi 
'  The  ancestor  of  the  New  Jersey  branch  of  the  family. 


Jan.  2. 


EDICTS  OF  STUY  VESA  NT. 


155 


The  friends  of  Van  Slechtenhorst  vowed  revenge ;  and,  this  coming  to 
Dyckman's  ears,  he  ordered  the  guns  of  the  fort  to  be  loaded  with  grape 
and  turned  upon  the  patroon's  house,  declaring  he  would  batter  it  down. 
While  things  were  in  this  chaotic  state,  there  arrived  from  Stuyvesant 
some  placards,  which  declared  the  jurisdiction  of  Fort  Orange  to  ex- 
tend over  a  circumference  of  six  hundred  paces  (about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  rods)  around  the  fortress.  These  JDyckman  was  ordered  to  publish. 
With  nine  armed  men,  the  military  commander  proceeded  to  the  court- 
room where  the  magistrates  of  the  colony  were  in  session,  and  de- 

°  Feb.  8. 

manded  that  the  placards  should  be  published  through  the  colony 
with  the  sound  of  a  bell.  As  it  was  contrary  to  law  for  any  man  to  enter 
another's  jurisdiction  with  an  armed  posse  without  the  previous  consent 
of  the  local  authorities,  Van  Slechtenhorst  ordered  the  intruder  to  leave 
the  room,  exclaiming,  "  It  shall  not  be  done  as  long  as  we  have  a  drop 
of  blood  in  ouv  veins,  nor  until  we  receive  orders  from  their  High 
Mightinesses  and  our  honored  masters." 

Dyckman  retired,  but  returned  presently  with  an  increased  force.  He 
ordered  the  porter  to  ring  the  bell,  and  that  being  vigorously  opposed, 
he  proceeded  to  the  fort  and  caused  the  bell  there  to  be  rung  three 
times.  He  then  returned  to  the  steps  of  the  court-house  and  directed  his 
deputy  to  read  the  placards.  As  the  latter  was  about  to  obey,  Van 
Slechtenhorst  rushed  forward  and  tore  the  paper  from  his  hands,  "  so 
that  the  seals  fell  on  the  ground."  Some  violent  words  followed ;  but 
young  Van  Rensselaer,  standing  by,  said  to  the  crowd,  "  Go  home,  my 
good  friends  !  't  is  only  the  wind  of  a  cannon-ball  fired  six  hundred  paces 
off."- 

A  messenger  was  sent  down  the  river  to  Stuyvesant,  who  at  once  for- 
warded another  placard  to  Dyckman,  with  orders  to  publish  it,  and  also  to 
affix  copies  of  it  to  posts  erected  on  the  new  line,  north,  south,  and  west 
of  the  fort.  Within  these  bounds,  for  the  future,  no  house  was  to  be  built, 
except  by  the  consent  of  the  governor  and  council,  or  of  those  authorized  to 
act  for  them.  This  act,  severing  forever  the  village  of  Beverwyck  from 
Van  Rensselaer's  colony,  was  pronounced  illegal,  and  in  direct  violation 
of  the  sixth  article  of  the  charter  of  1629.  Van  Slechtenhorst  sent  a 
constable  to  tear  the  posters  down  contemptuously,  and  drew  up  a  long 
remonstrance  against  the  unbecoming  pretensions  of  the  governor,  who 
he  declared  had  no  authority  over  the  colony  whatever.  The  patroon's 
lands,  he  said,  had  been  erected  into  a  perpetual  fief,  which  no  order 
emanating  from  the  West  India  Company  was  sufficient  toArill_ 
destroy.  This  paper  was  denounced  by  the  governor  and  coun- 
cil as  a  "libellous  calumny."    Dyckman  set  afloat  a  rumor  that  Stuy- 


156  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


vesant  was  about  to  visit  Fort  Orange,  and  that  he  was  preparing  a  gal- 
lows for  Van  Slechtenhorst,  his  son,  and  young  Van  Rensselaer. 

Stuyvesant,  after  dealing  with  a  number  of  refractory  persons  in  New 
Amsterdam,  some  of  whom  he  put  in  confinement  and  bastinadoed  others 
with  a  rattan,  repaired  to  the  troubled  regions  at  the  north.  He  sent  a 
party  of  soldiers  to  Van  Slechtenhorst's  house  with  an  order  to  the  patroon 
to  strike  his  flag,  which  the  latter  peremptorily  refused  to  do.  They  then 
entered  the  inclosure,  fired  a  volley  from  their  loaded  muskets,  and 
hauled  down  the  flag  themselves.  Stuyvesant  immediately  erected  a 
court  of  justice  in  Beverwyck,  apart  from  and  independent  of  that  of 
Rensselaerswick  ;  but  the  notice  of  this,  having  been  affixed  to  the  court- 
house of  the  latter  colony,  was  torn  down,  and  a  proclamation  asserting 
the  rights  of  the  patroon  posted  in  its  place.  The  next  day,  nine  armed 
men  broke  into  Slechtenhorst's  house  and  forcibly  conveyed  him  to  Fort 
Orange,  where  neither  his  wife,  children,  nor  friends  were  allowed  to  speak 
with  him.  His  furs,  his  clothes,  and  his  meat  were  left  hanging  to  the 
door-posts.  It  was  not  long  ere  he  was  conveyed  to  New  Amsterdam  ; 
but  he  was  not  confined  in  the  hold  of  the  fort  there,  as  has  been  asserted. 
He  was  under  "  civil  arrest,"  and  spent  a  portion  of  his  time  on  Staten 
Island. 

John  Baptist  Van  Rensselaer  took  Van  Slechtenhorst's  place  provision- 
ally, and  was  afterwards  formally  appointed  commander  of  the  col- 
Aprii  18ony  kv  tjie  patr0on.   Gerrit  Swart  succeeded  to  the  office  of  sheriff; 
Rev.  Gideon  Schaets  was  installed  as  clergyman,  and  retained  that  posi- 
tion for  over  thirty  years.    His  salary  was  $  380  per  annum. 
Sept  2-  Before  returning  to  New  Amsterdam,  Stuyvesant  confirmed' the 
authority  of  the  West  India  Company  by  issuing  patents  to  some  of  the 
principal  colonists  for  tracts  of  land  within  the  confines  of  Beverwyck. 
It  was  thus  that  the  germ  of  the  present  city  of  Alhany  was  rescued 
from  feudal  jurisdiction. 

On  the  28th  of  March,  Van  Tienhoven  was  appoiuted  to  the  office  of 
sheriff,  which  had  been  made  vacant  by  the  removal  of  Van  Dyck. 

M .u  -  28. 

"Were  an  honorable  person  to  take  my  place,  I  should  not  so 
much  mind  it,"  bewailed  the  latter;  "  but  here  is  a  puhlic,  notorious,  and 
convicted  whoremonger  and  oath-breaker,  who  has  frequently  come  out 
of  the  tavern  so  full  of  strong  drink  that  he  was  forced  to  lie  down  in  the 
gutter,  while  the  fault  of  drunkenness  could  not  easily  be  imputed  to  me." 

Carel  Van  Brugge  succeeded  Van  Tienhoven  as  secretary  of  the  prov- 
ince, and  Adriaen  Van  Tienhoven  became  receiver-general,  in  place  of 
his  brother. 

The  death  of  William  II.,  Prince  of  Orange,  in  1650,  left  vacant  the 


THE  NAVIGATION  ACT. 


157 


office  of  stadtholder,  and  that  dignity  remained  in  abeyance  during  the 
minority  of  William  III.  This  event  led  to  the  recognition  of  the  Eng- 
lish Commonwealth  by  the  Dutch  Republic  in  January,  1651.  Delegates 
were  sent  from  England  to  the  Hague  to  negotiate  a  league  of  amity  and 
confederation  between  the  two  nations.  Some  of  the  visionary  enthusi- 
asts in  Parliament  even  entertained  the  idea  of  making  the  two  republics 
one,  to  be  governed  by  a  council  sitting  at  London,  composed  of  Dutch- 
men and  Englishmen.  To  effect  this,  the  embassy  was  instructed  to  use 
the  most  adroit  diplomacy ;  but  their  first  act  was  to  demand  that  all 
the  English  fugitives  should  be  expelled  from  Holland.  This  decided 
the  matter.  The  Dutch  government  at  once  assumed  a  haughty  air. 
The  people  of  the  Netherlands  were  attached  to  the  house  of  Orange,  and 
did  not  relish  the  presence  of  the  executioners  of  the  unhappy  grandfather 
of  William  III.1  They  openly,  and  on  every  possible  occasion,  insulted 
the  ambassadors,  who  finally  returned  to  England,  determined  to  de- 
stroy the  commercial  ascendency  of  the  Dutch.2  The  celebrated  Act 
of  Navigation  was  accordingly  carried  through  Parliament.  Hencefor- 
ward the  commerce  between  England  and  her  colonies,  as  well  as  that 
between  England  and  the  rest  of  the  world,  was  to  be  conducted  in  ships 
solely  owned  and  principally  manned  by  Englishmen.  Foreigners  might 
carry  to  England  nothing  but  those  products  of  their  respective  coun- 
tries which  were  the  established  staples  of  those  countries.  The  act  was 
leveled  at  the  commerce  of  the  Dutch,  and  destroyed  one  great  source 
of  their  prosperity,  while  some  letters  of  reprisal  issued  by  English  mer- 
chants brought  eighty  Dutch  ships  as  prizes  into  English  ports.  The 
act  was,  after  all,  but  a  protection  of  British  shipping.  It  contained  not 
one  clause  which  related  to  a  colonial  monopoly,  or  was  specially  inju- 
rious to  an  American  colony.  In  vain  did  the  Dutch  expostulate  against 
the  breach  of  commercial  amity.  England  loved  herself  better  than  she 
loved  her  neighbors.  But,  as  might  have  been  expected,  a  naval  war  was 
the  consequence.    The  first  battle  between  the  forces  of  the  Neth- 

May  29 

erlands  and  the  English  Commonwealth  was  fought  in  the  Straits 
of  Dover,  on  the  29th  of  May,  1652.    Other  battles  followed  in  which  the 
Dutch  were  victorious,  and  the  triumphant  Van  Tromp  sailed  along 
the  English  coast  with  a  broom  at  his  masthead,  to  indicate  that    e  ' 
he  had  swept  the  Channel  of  English  ships. 

The  States-General  had  remonstrated  so  often  and  so  earnestly  with  the 

1  Aitzema,  III.  638-663.  Thurloe's  Slate  Papers,  1. 174,  179, 182,  183,  187-195.  Verbael 
Van  Beverning,  61,  62. 

2  Common's  Journal,  VII.  27.  Anderson,  II.  415,  416.  Lingard,  XI.  128.  Davis,  II. 
707-710.    Bancroft,  I.  215,  216. 


158 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


West  India  Company  in  regard  to  the  mismanagement  of  New  Nether- 
land,  that  the  Amsterdam  Chamber  finally  deemed  it  wise  to  pour  a  little 
oil  upon  the  bleeding  wounds  of  the  colonists.  They  took  off  the  export 
duty  from  tobacco ;  reduced  the  price  of  passage  to  New  Amsterdam ; 
allowed  the  colonists  to  procure  negroes  from  Africa ;  sent  supplies  of 
ammunition  to  be  distributed  at  a  "  decent  price  "  ;  assented  to 

April  4. 

the  establishment  of  a  public  school ;  and  granted  a  burgher  gov- 
ernment to  New  Amsterdam,  similar  to  that  of  the  cities  of  the  Father- 
land. In  the  vessel  which  brought  these  dispatches  were  several  dis- 
tinguished passengers,  among  whom  was  Dominie  Samuel  Drisius,  a 
learned  divine,  who  could  preach  in  English,  Dutch,  and  French,  and  who 
came  to  New  Amsterdam  as  colleague  to  Dominie  Megapoleusis,  at  a 
salary  of  $  580  per  annum. 

The  public  school  was  opened  in  one  of  the  small  rooms  of  the  great 
stone  tavern,  and  Dr.  La  Montagne  offered  to  teach  until  a  suitable  master 
could  be  obtained  from  Holland.  Meanwhile  the  States-General  had  re- 
solved to  recall  Governor  Stuyvesant.  They  prepared  their  mandate  and 
intrusted  it  to  Van  der  Donck,  who  was  about  to  sail  for  New  Amsterdam. 
This  extraordinary  measure  aroused  the  Amsterdam  Chamber;  they  in- 
terfered, and  at  last  persuaded  the  States-General  that,  in  view  of  the 
rupture  with  England,  they  needed  a  man  of  Stuyvesant's  military  char- 
acter and  experience  to  guard  their  American  possessions.  A  messenger 
was  therefore  sent  to  Texel,  where  Van  der  Donck  was  upon  the  eve  of 

sailing,  and  the  letter  of  recall  was  obtained  and  destroyed.  Thus 

April  27.  "... 

Stuyvesant  received  nothing  of  his  threatened  humiliation.  An 
order  reached  him,  however,  that  Schelluyue  should  be  unmolested  in  his 
practice  of  notary-public. 

The  towns  of  Middleburg  and  Flat  bush  were  commenced  this  year. 
There  were  also  large  tracts  of  land  ceded  to  different  parties  on  Long 
Island,  in  New  Jersey,  and  on  the  banks  of  the  North  River.  But  pros- 
perity was  not  ready  to  bless  the  slow-growing  community,  and  its  off- 
shoots and  branches  developed  with  strange  tardiness.  One  of  the  great- 
est wants  of  the  colony  was  skilled  labor,  and,  indeed,  labor  of  every  kind. 
Efforts  had  been  made  to  procure  it  from  Holland,  but  with  very  little 
success.  Negroes  had  occasionally  been  brought  to  Manhattan  and  sold, 
but  the  demand  for  servants  was  far  beyond  the  supply.  The  new  law  of 
the  company,  which  permitted  the  colonists  to  equip  vessels  and  sail  to  the 
coasts  of  Angola,  in  Africa,  to  procure  negroes  for  themselves,  was  the 
signal  for  the  fitting  out  of  several  vessels  exclusively  for  the  slave-trade 
and  the  bringing  to  New  Netherland  of  a  large  invoice  of  the  colored 
population  of  the  ton-id  zone.    Every  family  who  could  afford  it  invested 


AFRICAN  SLAVERY. 


159 


Feb.  2. 


in  this  branch  of  industry.  But  it  was  wretchedly  unsatisfactory.  The 
slaves  were  ignorant  and  intensely  stupid.  Twenty-five  of  such  as  were 
imported  at  that  time  could  hardly  perform  as  much  work  as  three,  a 
hundred  years  later. 

While  these  voyages  were  occupying  the  attention  of  the  enterprising- 
merchants  of  Manhattan,  an  interesting  moment  arrived.  A  new  1653 
city  appeared  in  the  annals  of  the  world.  Its  birth  was  an- 
nounced on  the  evening  of  February  2,  1653,  at  the  feast  of  Can- 
dlemas. A  proclamation  of  the  governor  defined  its  exceedingly  limited 
powers  and  named  its  first  officers.  It  was  called  New  Amsterdam. 
There  was  nothing  in  the  significant  scene  which  inspired  enthusiasm. 
It  came  like  a  favor  grudgingly  granted.  Its  privileges  were  few,  and  even 
those  were  subsequently  hampered  by  the  most  illiberal  interpretations 
which  could  be  devised.  Stuyvesant  made  a  speech  on  the  occasion,  in 
which  he  took  care  to  reveal  his  intention  of  making  all  future  municipal 
appointments,  instead  of  submitting  the  matter  to  the  votes  of  the  citizens, 
as  was  the  custom  in  the  Fatherland ;  and  he  gave  the  officers  distinctly 
to  understand  from  the  first,  that  their  existence  did  not  in  any  way 

diminish  his  authority,  but 
that  he  should  often  preside 
at  their  meetings,  and  at  all 
times  counsel  them  in  mat- 
ters of  importance.  They 
were  not  to  have  a  sheriff  of 
their  own;  but  Van  Tien- 
hoven,  the  provincial  sheriff, 
might  officiate  for  the  cor- 
poration. Neither  was  it 
deemed  requisite  that  they 
should  have  a  scribe ;  but 
Jacpb  Kip,  the  newly  ap- 
pointed secretary  of  the  prov- 
ince, was  notified  to  attend 
their  meetings  and  do  such 
writing  as  seemed  necessary, 
a  young  man  of  spirit  and  intelligence,  tall,  handsome,  and  ex- 
popular.  The  following  year,  he  married  Marie  La  Montagne, 
the  daughter  of  Dr.  La  Montagne,  a  beautiful  girl  of  sixteen.  He  owned 
a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  on  the  East  Kiver,  and  soon  after 
his  marriage  erected  a  house  upon  it,  and  went  there  to  reside.  The 
locality  was,  and  is  still,  known  as  Kip's  Bay. 


Kip's  Mansion. 


He  was 
tremely 


160 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  XEW  YORK. 


This  Kip  mansion  subsequently  became  famous.  It  was  once  or  twice 
rebuilt,  and  five  generations  of  the  Kip  family  were  born  in  it.  It  w  as, 
for  a  short  time,  during  the  American  Revolution,  the  head-quarters  of 
General  Washington.  It  was  one  of  the  landmarks  of  the  olden  time  that 
was  ruthlessly  pushed  aside  by  the  corporation,  at  the  opening  of  Thirty- 
fifth  Street,  on  the  direct  line  of  which  it  stood.  The  sketch  is  a  fair 
illustration  of  the  style  of  the  better  class  of  farm-houses  on  Manhattan 
Island,  during  the  early  period.  The  new  city  contained  a  number  of 
good  stone  dwellings,  which  had  a  substantial*  aud  aristocratic  air,  as  if 
inhabited  by  people  of  wealth  and  cultivated  tastes.  There  were  many 
English  and  French,  as  well  as  Dutch,  residents  who  were  well  con- 
nected in  Europe ;  and,  from  whatever  cause  they  had  been  induced  to 
emigrate,  they  were  not  likely  to  turn  barbarians  because  they  were  in 
a  new  country.  Good  breeding  cannot  be  taken  on  and  put  off  so  readily. 
Many  struggled  along  for  years  with  wants  unsupplied ;  but  when,  with 
increase  of  means,  they  were  able  to  provide  the  comforts  and  luxuries 
to  which  they  had  been  born,  they  were  not  slow  to  embrace  the  oppor- 
tunity. The  refinemeut  and  culture  of  these  gave  tone,  even  at  that 
early  date,  to  the  social  life  of  the  little  community. 

The  cheaper  and  more  common  dwellings  we  find  to  have  been  gener- 
ally built  of  wood,  with  checker-work  fronts,  or  rather  gable  ends,  of  small 
black  and  yellow  Dutch  bricks,  with  the  date  of  their  erection  inserted  in 
iron  figures  facing  the  street.  The' roofs  were  tiled  or  shingled,  and  sur- 
mounted with  a  weathercock.  The  front  door  was  usually  ornamented 
with  a  huge  brass  knocker,  w  ith  the  device  of  a  dog's  or  lion's  head,  winch 
was  required  to  be  burnished  daily.  As  the  facilities  for  obtaining  build- 
ing materials  increased,  the  huts  of  the  very  poor  classes  gradually  assumed 
a  more  and  more  respectable  appearance.  The  old  stone  tavern  was  re- 
modeled, cleaned  up,  and  called  a  Stadthuys,  or  City  Hall ;  and  there  the 
city  magistrates  held  their  meetings  on  Mondays,  from  nine  o'clock  in  the 
morning  until  noon,  and  ^if  business  was  urgent  they  sometimes  had  an 
after-dinner  session.  Absent  members  were  fined  six  stuyvei"s  for  the 
first  half-hour,  twelve  for  the  second,  and  forty  if  absent  during  the 
meeting. 

A  pew  was  set  apart  in  the  church  for  the  City  Fathers ;  and  on  Sun- 
day mornings  these  worthies  left  their  homes  and  families  early  to  meet 
in  the  City  Hall,  from  which,  preceded  by  the  bell-ringer,  carrying  their 
cushions  of  state,  they  marched  in  solemn  procession  to  the  sanctuary  in 
the  fort.  On  all  occasions  of  ceremony,  secular  or  religious,  they  were 
treated  with  distinguished  attention.  Their  position  was  eminently  re- 
spectable, but  it  had  as  yet  no  emoluments.     We  shall  have  occasion 


ALLARD  ANTHONY. 


161 


hereafter  to  show  how  they  watched  over  the  tender  babyhood  of  the 
city,  —  a  city  whose  infancy  was  dwarfed  by  the  constant  neglect  of 
the  parent  country ;  which  was  exposed  to  savage  hostility  and  over- 
looked by  the  world  in  general ;  which  was  captured  while  yet  in  swad- 
dling-clothes by  people  of  different  language,  views,  and  policy  ;  whose 
youth  was  a  combat  with  all  kinds  of  untoward  circumstances,  but  whose 
maturity  has  so  far  exceeded  the  promise  of  its  earlier  years,  and  whose 
future  certainties  are  so  much  greater  than  those  of  any  other  city  on  the 
face  of  the  earth,  that  we  cannot  pass  on  without  extending  our  cordial 
fellowship  to  those  who  rocked  its  cradle.  Their  names  we  shall  rewrite 
each  time  with  newly  awakened  emotions. 

There  were  two  burgomasters,  Arent  Van  Hattam  and  Martin  Cre- 
gier.  The  first  was  an  intelligent  Holland  speculator,  who  traveled 
through  the  country  and  amassed  a  large  fortune,  but  never  married, 
or  had  any  permanent  residence  in  New  Amsterdam  that  we  can 
learn.  He  was  once  sent  as  ambassador  to  Virginia.  Martin  Cregier 
was  the  captain  of  the  citizens'  military  company,  and  went  often  in 
command  of  important  expeditions  into  the  interior.  He  was  the  pro- 
prietor of  a  small  tavern  opposite  the  Bowling  Green,  the  site  of  which 
he  purchased  in  1643.  He  was  a  conspicuous  man  in  his  day ;  and  his 
descendants  are  among  the  most  highly  respected  families  in  the  State  of 
New  York. 

There  were  five  schepens,  —  Paulus  Van  der  Grist,  Maximilian  Van 
Gheel,  Allard  Anthony,  Peter  Van  Couwenhoven,  and  William  Beek- 
man.  Paulus  Van  der  Grist  was  a  hale,  hearty  old  sea-captain,  who 
commanded  one  of  the  four  ships  of  the  fleet  which  conveyed  Governor 
Stuyvesant  to  America.  Either  personally  or  through  an  agent,  he  bought 
considerable  property  on  Manhattan  Island  as  early  as  1644,  and  took 
up  his  permanent  residence  in  New  Amsterdam,  as  naval  agent,  in  1648. 
He  owned  a  sloop  with  whicli  he  navigated  the  waters  near  by ;  built 
himself  a  nice  house  on  Broadway  below  Trinity  Church;  and  opened  a 
dry-goods  store,  keeping  groceries  and  knick-knacks  also,  according  to 
village  custom. 

Allard  Anthony  was  a  middle-aged  man,  rich,  influential,  conceited, 
and  unpopular.  He  was  the  consignee  of  a  large  firm  in  Holland  ; 
and  his  store  was  in  the  old  church  building  erected  by  Van  Twil- 
ler.  Besides  his  general  wholesale  business,  he  engaged  in  the  retail 
trade ;  for  we  learn  by  the  records  that  he  sold  a  "  hanger  "  to  Jan  Van 
Cleef  "  for  as  much  buckwheat  as  Anthony's  fowls  will  eat  in  six 
months."  At  another  time  we  learn  that  his  wife  complained  of  some 
negroes  "  for  killing  a  few  of  her  pigs."    He  had  a  huge  farm  on  the 


162 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


island;  but  his  city  residence,  a  first-class  stone  mansion,  was  on  the 
coiner  of  Whitehall  and  Marketfield  Streets.  He  had  one  son,  Nicholas, 
who  was  afterwards  sheriff  of  Ulster  County ;  and  two  daughters,  who, 
it  has  been  said,  dressed  the  most  showily  and  fashionably  of  all  the 
ladies  of  New  Amsterdam.  Peter  Couwenhoven  has  been  noticed  on  a 
previous  page. 

William  Beekman  was  the  ancestor  of  the  well-known  Beekman 
family,  and  his  name  is  perpetuated  by  two  streets,  William  and  Beek- 
man. He  came  from  Holland  in  the  same  vessel  with  Stuyvesant,  at 
the  age  of  twenty-one.  Full  of  strong,  healthy  life,  and  ambition,  he 
employed  every  moment  that  he  coidd  spare  from  his  clerkship  duties 
in  searching  for  a  spot  to  plant  his  money,  for  he  had  not  come  empty- 
handed  from  abroad.  An  opportunity  soon  offered ;  he  purchased 
Corlear's  Hook  of  Jacob  Corlear,  and  shortly  after  fell  in  love  with  and 
married  the  pretty  blue-eyed  Catharine  Van  Boogh.  Everybody  thought 
it  a  good  match,  and  the  youthful  pair  were  held  in  high  esteem.  In  the 
course  of  years,  he  rose  to  distinction ;  he  was  at  one  time  vice-director 
of  the  colony  on  the  Delaware,  and  at  another  sheriff  at  Esopus.  He 
was  nine  years  a  burgomaster  of  New  Amsterdam.  In  1670,  he  bought 
the  farm  formerly  owned  by  Thomas  Hall,  stretching  along  the  East 
River  for  a  great  distance.  His  orchard  lay  upon  a  side-hill  pinning 
down  to  the  swamp  which  was  called  Cripple  Bush,  and  through  which 
Beekman  Street  now  passes.  He  had  five  sons  and  one  only  daughter, 
Marie.  This  daughter  married  Nicholas  William  Stuyvesant,  a  son  of 
the  governor. 

The  bell-ringer  was  a  notable  and  useful  individual.  He  was  the 
court  messenger,  the  grave-digger,  the  chorister,  the  reader,  and  some- 
times the  schoolmaster.  He  seems  also  to  have  been  a  general  waiter 
upon  the  city  magistrates.  He  kept  the  great  room  in  which  they  as- 
sembled in  order,  placed  the  chairs  in  their  proper  and  precise  positions, 
and  rang  the  bell  at  the  hour  for  coming  together.    It  was  the 

Feb.  6.  °  .  ,  . 

business  of  the  sheriff  to  convoke  and  preside  over  this  board,  to 
prosecute  offenders,  and  to  execute  judgments.  City  officials  in  the  Fa- 
therland were  invested  with  judicial  and  municipal  powers ;  but,  as  no 
specific  charter  had  been  granted  to  our  City  Fathers,  their  authority  was 
not  well  defined.  They  heard  and  settled  disputes  between  parties  ;  tried 
cases  for  the  recovery  of  debt,  for  defamation  of  character,  for  breaches 
of  marriage  promise,  for  assault  and  theft ;  and  even  summoned  parents 
and  guardians  into  their  presence  for  withholding  their  consent  to  the 
marriage  of  their  children  or  wards  without  sufficient  cause.  They  sen- 
tenced and  committed  to  prison,  like  any  other  court  of  sessions. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  THE  CITY  FATHERS. 


163 


All  their  meetings  were  opened  with  a  solemn  and  impressive  form  of 
prayer.  As  we  find  it  recorded  in  their  minutes,  we  presume  they  designed 
it  should  go  down  to  posterity ;  hence  we  give  it  in  full :  — 

"  Oh  God  of  Gods,  and  Lord  of  Lords  !  Heavenly  and  most  merciful  Father  ! 
We  thank  thee  that  thou  hast  not  only  created  us  in  thine  image,  but  that  thou 
hast  received  us  as  thy  children  and  guests  when  we  were  lost,  and  in  addition 
to  all  this,  it  has  pleased  thee  to  place  us  in  the  government  of  thy  people  in 
this  place. 

"  0  Lord,  our  God,  we,  thy  wretched  creatures,  acknowledge  that  we  are  not 
worthy  of  this  honor,  and  that  we  have  neither  strength  nor  sufficiency  to  dis- 
charge the  trust  committed  to  us  without  thine  assistance. 

"  We  beseech  thee,  oh  fountain  of  all  good  gifts,  qualify  us  by  thy  grace,  that 
we  may,  with  fidelity  and  righteousness,  serve  in  our  respective  offices.  To  this 
end  enlighten  our  darkened  understandings,  that  we  may  be  able  to  distinguish 
the  right  from  the  wrong,  the  truth  from  the  falsehood  ;  and  that  we  may  give 
pure  and  uncorrupted  decisions ;  having  an  eye  upon  thy  word,  a  sure  guide, 
giving  to  the  simple,  wisdom  and  knowledge.  Let  thy  law  be  a  light  unto  our 
feet,  and  a  lamp  to  our  path,  so  that  we  may  never  turn  away  from  the  path  of 
righteousness.  Deeply  impress  on  all  our  minds  that  we  are  not  accountable 
unto  man,  but  unto  God,  who  seeth  and  heareth  all  things.  Let  all  respect  of 
persons  be  far  removed  from  us,  that  we  may  award  justice  unto  the  rich  and 
the  poor,  unto  friends  and  enemies  alike  ;  to  residents  and  to  strangers  according 
to  the  law  of  truth  :  and  that  not  one  of  us  may  swerve  therefrom.  And  since 
gifts  do  blind  the  eyes  of  the  wise,  and  destroy  the  heart,  therefore  keep  our 
hearts  aright.  Grant  unto  us,  also,  that  we  may  not  rashly  prejudge  any  one, 
without  a  fair  hearing,  but  that  we  patiently  hear  the  parties,  and  give  them 
time  and  opportunity  for  defending  themselves ;  in  all  things  looking  up  to  thee 
and  to  thy  word  for  counsel  and  direction. 

"  Graciously  incline  our  hearts,  that  we  may  exercise  the  power  which  thou  hast 
given  us,  to  the  general  good  of  the  community,  and  to'  the  maintainance  of  the 
church,  that  we  may  be  praised  by  thein  that  do  well,  and  a  terror  to  evil- 
doers. 

"  Incline,  also,  the  hearts  of  the  subjects  unto  due  obedience,  so  that  through 
their  respect  and  obedience  our  burdens  may  be  made  the  lighter. 

"  Thou  knowest,  Oh  Lord,  that  the  wicked  and  ungodly  do  generally  con- 
temn and  transgress  thine  ordinances,  therefore  clothe  us  with  strength,  courage, 
fortitude,  and  promptitude,  that  we  may,  with  proper  earnestness  and  zeal,  be 
steadfast  unto  death  against  all  sinners  and  evil-doers. 

"  Oh  good  and  gracious  God,  command  thy  blessing  upon  all  our  adopted 
resolutions,  that  they  may  be  rendered  effectual,  and  redound  to  the  honor  of 
thy  great  and  holy  name,  to  the  greatest  good  of  the  trusts  committed  to  us  and 
to  our  salvation, 


164 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YOBK. 


"  Hear  and  answer  us,  Oh  gracious  God,  in  these  our  petitions  and  in  all  that 
thou  seest  we  need,  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ  thy  beloved  Son,  in  whose 
name  we  conclude  our  prayer." 

In  view  of  the  disturbances  across  the  water,  Stuyvesant,  as  a  precau- 
tionary measure,  wrote  to  the  authorities  in  New  England  and  Virginia, 

expressing  friendship  and  good-will,  and  proposed  that  the  com- 
'  mercial  intercourse  of  the  colonies  should  continue  uninterrupted. 
He  learned  before  the  end  of  March,  however,  that  military  preparations 

were  going  on  in  New  England  ;  but  whether  these  were  offensive 

or  defensive,  he  could  not  discover.  He  called  a  joint  meeting  of 
the  Council  and  the  City  Fathers,  and  they  resolved  that  a  body  of  citizens 
should  mount  guard  every  night  at  the  City  Hall ;  also,  that  Fort  Am- 
sterdam should  be  put  in  a  proper  state  of  defense,  and  that  the  city 
should  defray  the  cost.  About  forty  of  the  principal  men  of  New  Amster- 
dam subscribed  a  loan  of  two  thousand  dollars  for  the  purpose.  The  fence 
which  Kieft  had  built  across  the  island  still  remained,  and  it  was  de- 
cided to  inclose  the  city  by  a  ditch  and  palisades  with  a  breastwork,  on 
about  the  same  line,  and  every  man  was  required  to  leave  his  business 
and  lend  a  helping  hand.  Posts  twelve  feet  high  and  about  seven  inches 
in  diameter  were  erected,  and  covered  on  the  outside  with  boards ;  a 
ditch,  two  feet  wide  and  three  deep,  was  dug  upon  the  inside,  and  the 

dirt  was  thrown  up  against  the  fence,  thus  making  a  platform  of 
May1-  sufficient  height  to  permit  the  assailed  to  overlook  the  stockade. 
It  was  completed  about  the  1st  of  May.    In  the  mean  time,  the  people 
had  become  seriously  alarmed,  and  had  spent  the  9th  day  of  April  in 
lasting  and  prayer  throughout  the  province. 

"War  upon  the  Dutch  colonists  was  actually  in  contemplation  in  New 
England.  A  large  party  were  eager  to  take  the  opportunity  offered  by 
the  hostilities  in  Europe  to  grasp  New  Netherland ;  but  the  General 
Court  of  Massachusetts  refused  to  sanction  such  an  enterprise.  In  the 
mean  time,  Captain  John  Underbill  had  grown  restless,  and  agitated  a 
revolt  on  Long  Island.  In  a  seditious  paper  addressed  to  the  people, 
he  speaks  of  "  this  great  autocracy  and  tyranny  too  grievous  for  any  good 

Englishman  or  brave  Christian  to  tolerate."   But  his  plot  was  dis- 
ne  '  covered  in  time  to  be  prevented,  and  he  was  arrested,  tried,  and 

1  Nev>  Ams.  Ilec,  I.  pp.  105,  106,  107,  108,  109.  The  records  of  the  first  City  Fathers  are 
wi  ll  preserved.  They  have  l>een  translated  into  the  English  language,  and  are  both  eurions 
and  entertaining.  The  minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  burgomasters  and  schepens  in  the 
earliest  years  of  the  city  furnish  an  abundant  harvest  for  the  antiquary.  The  writer  of  this 
volume  oidy  regrets  that  its  necessary  limitations  exclude  so  large  a  proportion  of  the  inter- 
esting matter  found  in  their  pages. 


VAN  BEE  DONCK. 


165 


banished  from  the  province.  The  city  was  full  of  startling  rumors  ;  and, 
timing  the  summer  that  followed,  the  governor  was  constantly  involved 
in  a  variety  of  unexpected  difficulties.  A  man  of  less  firmness  and  de- 
cision of  character  would  have  signally  failed  in  maintaining  authority. 
Allard  Anthony  was  sent  to  Holland  as  a  special  agent  to  rep-  ^  g 
resent  the  situation  of  affairs  to  the  Amsterdam  Chamber.  Stuy- 
vesant,  having  called  upon  the  city  government  for  further  funds 

°  r  .     f  ,      .1      ,  July  29. 

to  invest  in  fortification,  was  waited  upon  by  the  burgomasters, 

who  peremptorily  refused  to  contribute  anything  more,  unless  the  Aug.  2. 

governor  gave  up  the  excise  on  wines  and  beers. 

In  the  summer,  Van  der  Donck  arrived  from  Holland.  He  had  en- 
larged his  Vertoogh  by  writing  out  a  more  accurate  description  of 
New  Netherland.  He  had  submitted  it  to  the  West  India  Company,  who 
had  not  only  approved  of  it,  but  recommended  it  to  the  States-General ; 
and  the  author  had  received  a  copyright.  He  desired  to  give  it  a  still 
broader  historical  character  ;  and  he  applied  to  the  company  for  permission 
to  examine  the  records  at  New  Amsterdam.  He  was  cordially  referred 
to  Stuyvesant.  But  the  latter  gentleman  suspected  his  motives  and 
treated  him  with  cool  severity,  denying  him  access  to  any  papers 
whatever.  Van  der  Donck  wished  also  to  practice  law  in  this  country. 
His  ability  as  a  lawyer  was  well  known.  The  directors  of  the  com- 
pany were  disposed  to  grant  him  a  license,  only  they  said,  "  What  will 
one  great  advocate  do  alone  among  the  savages  ?  You  will  have 
nobody  of  your  stamp  to  plead  against  you  ! "  Van  der  Donck, 
when  he  found  his  journey  barren  of  results,  sailed  again  for 
Europe,  where  he  published  the  book  under  the  title  of  Beschryvinge 
van  Nieuio  Neclerlandt.  The  second  edition  contained  a  map  reduced 
from  the  large  one  of  Visscher,  and  embellished  with  a  view  of  New  Am- 
sterdam, sketched  by  Augustine  Heermans  in  1656. 

Heermans  was  a  native  of  Bohemia,  and  came  to  New  Amsterdam, 
with  Van  Twiller,  in  1633,  as  an  officer  of  the  company.  He  had  picked 
up  a  great  fund  of  information,  as  well  as  an  immense  quantity  of  real 
estate ;  and  he  had  a  natural  taste  for  sketching,  which,  however,  was 
never  cultivated  in  any  considerable  degree.  His  house  stood  on  the 
west  side  of  Pearl  Street,  covering  the  line  of  Pine.  It  was  built  of 
stone,  and  surrounded  by  an  orchard  and  an  extensive  garden.  He 
removed  afterwards  to  Maryland,  where  he  became  a  large  landholder. 

The  governor  was  cheered  in  July  by  the  arrival  of  a  personage  of 
importance.    The  company  had  selected  Hon.  Nicasius  De  Sille, 
a  gentleman  of  the  best  culture  the  time  afforded,  a  thorough  July24" 
statesman  and  an  experienced  lawyer,  and  commissioned  him  as  first 


166  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


councilor  in  their  provincial  government.  He  was  a  widower,  with  two 
attractive  daughters  and  one  son ;  and  he  built  quite  an  extensive  house 
on  the  corner  of  Broad  Street  and  Exchange  Place,  where  he  was  in  the 
habit  of  entertaining  a  small 
but  very  select  circle  of  friends 
in  the  same  elegant  and  court- 
ly manner  to  which  he  had 
been  accustomed  at  the  Ha<me. 

„.  ,       .  ,       °  Autograph  of  De  Sille. 

His   eldest  daughter,  Anna,  a 

brilliant  little  girl  of  fourteen,  who  afterward  married  Hendrick  Kip, 
presided  over  his  table,  with  its  blue  and  white  china  and  porce- 
lain, curiously  ornamented  with  Chinese  pictures.  The  teacups  were 
very  diminutive  in  size,  according  to  the  prevailing  fashion,  and  the  tea 
was  sipped  in  small  quantities  alternately  with  a  bite  from  the  lump 
of  loaf-sugar  which  was  laid  beside  each  guest's  plate.  De  Sille  brought 
to  this  country  more  silver-plate  than  any  one  had  done  before  him,  and 
took  special  pride  in  its  exhibition.  Governor  Stuyvesaut's  family,  Mrs. 
Bayard,  the  La  Montagues,  and  the  Kips  were  his  most  frequent  visitors. 
He  selected  Tryntie  Croegers  for  his  second  wife;  but  the  marriage 
proved  unhappy.  The  parties  separated  in  1669 ;  and  a  commission,  in 
which  figured  such  names  as  Van  Cortlandt,  De  Peyster,  and  Van  Brugh, 
was  appointed  to  try  to  bring  about  a  reconciliation.  They  reported  that 
all  affection  and  love  were  estranged  on  both  sides,  but  that  the  husband 
was  more  inclined  to  a  reunion  than  the  wife,  and  they  recommended  an 
equal  division  of  the  property.  De  Sille  built  the  first  stone  house  in 
New  Utrecht,  and  resided  there  for  many  years.  He  left  a  brief  history 
of  the  settlement  of  that  town.  Laurence  De  Sille,  his  son,  married  the 
daughter  of  Martin  Cregier,  and  was  the  ancestor  of  all  of  the  name  of 
De  Sille  in  this  country.  Mrs.  De  Sille  at  her  death  left  the  whole  of 
her  estate,  real  and  personal,  to  her  cousin,  Jacobus  Croegers. 

Cornelis  Van  Ruyven  was  about  this  time  appointed  secretary  of  the 
province,  and  Van  Brugge  was  employed  in  the  custom-house.    All  at 
once  there  arose  again  a  great  spirit  of  disaffection  among  the  English  on 
Long  Island.    How  much  of  it  was  due  to  the  consummate  tact  of  Cap- 
Nov  26  ta'n  UnfterhM  we  are  not  prepared  to  say,  but  from  many  of  the 
towns  came  the  bitterest  denunciation  of  the  Dutch  authorities  of 
New  Netherlands.    It  finally  resulted  in  one  of  the  most  important  pop- 
ular meetings  ever  held  in  New  Amsterdam.    The  capital  itself 

Dec  10 

was  represented  by  delegates,  as  also  Breuckelen,  Kbit  hush,  Flat- 
lands,  Gravesend,  Newtown,  Flushing,  and  Hempstead ;  and  the  men 
who  assembled  were  earnest,  thoughtful,  liberty-loving  citizens.  The 


THE  DIET  IN  NEW  AMSTERDAM. 


167 


convention,  after  mutual  consultation  and  discussion,  adopted  a  remon- 
strance, which,  in  courteous  phraseology,  compares  well  with  documents 
of  a  similar  character  at  a  later  day,  and  which  shows  upon  the 
face  of  it  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  the  rights, 
as  well  as  a  thorough  acquaintance  with  the  legiti- 
mate objects,  of  civil  government.  It  demanded  re- 
forms and  laws  such  as  pre- 


De  Sille's  House. 


Dec.  12. 


Dec.  13. 


vailed  in  the  Netherlands ; 
and  Stuyvesant  winced  un- 
der the  truths  which  were 
laid  bare  before  his  eyes. 
To  weaken  its  ef- 
fect, he  declared  that 
Breuckelen,  Flatbush,  and 
Flatlands  had  no  right  to 
jurisdiction,  and  could  not 
send  delegates  to  a  popular  assembly.  He  talked  eloquently,  and  was 
exhaustive  in  argument.  The  delegates  prepared  a  rejoinder,  and 
threatened  to  send  their  protest  to  the  States-General  and  the 
"West  India  Company,  if  he  did  not  lend  a  considerate  ear.  Then  nothing 
seemed  to  remain  but  the  exercise  of  his  prerogative.  He  commanded 
the  delegation  to  disperse  "  on  pain  of  our  highest  displeasure,"  and  closed 
his  message  by  arrogantly  declaring  that  "  we  derive  our  authority  from 
God  and  the  company,  not  from  a  few  ignorant  subjects ;  and  we  alone 
can  call  the  inhabitants  together."  But  the  popular  voice  was  not  stifled, 
for  the  burgomasters  and  schepens  wrote  to  the  West  India  Com- 
pany, complaining  that  their  municipal  powers  were  "  too  narrow," 
and  asking  for  such  privileges  as  were  granted  to  their  "  beloved  Amster- 
dam." The  Gravesend  magistrates  wrote  to  the  States-General, 
presenting  their  grievances  ;  and  another  letter  of  a  similar  char-  e°' 27- 
acter,  signed  by  Martin  Cregier,  George  Baxter,  and  others,  was  addressed 
to  the  burgomasters  and  schepens  of  the  city  of  Amsterdam.  Mean- 
while the  exigencies  of  the  times  gave  the  disaffected  community 
an  excellent  opportunity'  of  demonstrating  their  actual  loyalty  to  the 
Fatherland.  The  rapid  increase  of  piracy  on  the  Sound,  and  the  dreaded 
invasion  of  the  English,  made  it  necessary  that  a  force  of  men  should  be 
raised  in  each  of  the  towns  for  the  common  defense  ;  and  the  call  was 
responded  to  with  alacrity. 

On  the  16th  of  December  was  established  in  England  the  new 
institute  of  government,  by  which  Oliver  Cromwell  was  made  Lord 
Protector,  and  the  supreme  legislative  authority  was  vested  in  him  and 


Dec.  24. 


Dec.  30. 


Dec.  16. 


170 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


nature  of  the  instructions,  and  it  was  four  years  before  the  city  was 
favored  with  a'sheriff  of  its  own. 

There  was,  from  the  first,  'a  want  of  harmony  between  the  governor  and 
the  city  magistrates.  The  latter  wished  to  assimilate  their  municipal 
government  to  that  of  Amsterdam.  They  never  ceased  their  exertions 
until  they  deprived  the  executive  of  the  absolute  power  of  appointment. 
They  clamored,  too,  for  the  management  and  control  of  the  excise.  It 
seemed  eminently  proper  that  this  should  go  into  the  city  treasury,  and 
Stuyvesant  finally  consented  to  the  arrangement.  But  he  immediately 
ordered  that  the  city  should  provide  for  the  support  of  the  troops  which 
had  recently  arrived  from  Holland,  and  for  the  maintenance  of  civil 
and  ecclesiastical  ministers.  The  magistrates  replied,  expressing  their 
willingness  to  furnish  their  quota  to  the  amount  of  one  fifth  of  the  whole 
sum  necessary  to  pay  the  debt  incurred  for  the  repairs  of  the  public  works, 
on  condition  that  they  should  be  empowered  to  levy  taxes  on  all  the  real 
estate  within  their  jurisdiction,  sell  and  convey  lands,  etc. ;  they  would 
also  pay  the  salary  of  one  clergyman,  one  chorister  (to  act  as  beadle  and 
schoolmaster),  one  sheriff,  two  burgomasters,  five  schepens,  one  secretary, 
and  one  court  messenger;  but  as  to  the  military,  they  considered  the 
citizens  already  overtaxed  for  the  fortifications,  and  unable  to  carry  a 
burden  which  was  not  for  the  protection  of  the  city  alone,  but  for  the 
country  in  general. 

When  the  magistrates  rendered  their  first  report  of  excise  income  and 
expenditures,  Stuyvesant  was  greatly  displeased  to  find  that  the  minister's 
salary  had  not  been  paid.  As  he  went  on  with  the  examination  of  the 
papers,  he  discovered  that  they  had  credited  themselves  with 
sept.  16.  many  items  which  could  not  be  allowed ;  as,  for  instance,  the  pas- 
sage-money of  Francois  de  Bleue,  their  agent,  to  Amsterdam.  They  had 
not  fulfilled  their  promise  to  complete  the  fort ;  money  borrowed  for  the 
purpose  had  been  otherwise  used;  and  the  men  who  had  advanced  the 
loan  were  clamoring  for  repayment.  They  had  not  furnished  the  subsidies 
which  they  had  promised,  and  they  had  failed  to  contribute  their  quota 
towards  the  public  works.  He  took  them  severely  to  task,  and  by  the 
advice  of  his  council  he  reassumed  the  control  of  the  excise  which  he  had 
already  surrendered.  The  subject  was  submitted  to  the  Amster- 
Nov'  ^  dam  Chamber,  which  instructed  the  governor  to  euforce  his  author- 
ity, "so  that  those  men  may  no  longer  indulge  in  the  visionary  dream 
that  contributions  cannot  be  levied  without  their  consent." 

Meanwhile,  difficulties  had  been  brewing  on  the  South  River.  The 
news  of  the  capture  of  Fort  Casimir  by  the  Swedes  reached  Stuyvesant 
while  he  was  in  the  midst  of  his  hurried  preparations  to  defend  New 


■ g 

:  .& 

•B  a 

ft  3 

<Q  ft. 


iulllllllllllllil'. 1  III!' I,  'Hiilll 


THE  SWEDES. 


171 


Netherland  from  the  English.  To  attempt  the  recovery  of  that  distant 
post  in  a  moment  of  such  danger  was  out  of  the  question,  and  therefore  an 
account  of  the  affair  was  sent  to  Holland,  and  orders  thence  were 

Sept  22- 

awaited.  In  September,  a  Swedish  vessel  entered  the  lower  bay  by 
mistake,  and  sent  to  New  Amsterdam  for  a  pilot  to  guide  her  back  into 
the  ocean.  Stuyvesant  at  once  ordered  the  arrest  of  the  boat's  crew,  and 
sent  soldiers  to  capture  the  vessel  and  bring  its  captain  to  the  fort.  The 
cargo  was  removed  to  the  company's  warehouse,  and  a  message  sent  to  the 
Swedish  commander  of  Fort  Casimir  that  the  vessel  would  be  detained 
until  such  time  as  "  a  reciprocal  restitution  should  be  made." 

The  city  magistrates,  about  the  same  time,  demanded  and  obtained  the 
power  to  lease  the  ferry  between  Manhattan  and  Long  Island,  which  some- 
what mollified  their  antagonism  to  their  stern  superior.  Up  to  this  period 
great  inconvenience  had  been  experienced  by  the  community  in  crossing 
the  East  Eiver.  Persons  had  often  been  compelled  to  wait  a  whole  day 
before  they  could  be  ferried  over ;  and  the  trip  was  dangerous  at  its  best. 
An  ordinance  was  accordingly  passed,  as  follows  :  — 

"No  one  shall  be  permitted  to  ferry  without  a  license  from  the  magis- 
trates :  the  ferryman  must  keep  proper  servants  and  boats,  and  a  house 
on  both  sides  of  the  river  for  the  accommodation  of  passengers,  and  must 
pass  all  officials  free.  The  said  ferryman  shall  not  be  compelled  to  ferry 
any  persons,  cattle,  or  goods,  without  prepayment,  and  must  not  cross  the 
river  in  a  tempest."  1 

The  toll  established  by  law  was,  for  a  wagon  and  two  horses,  twenty 
stuyvers,  or  one  dollar ;  for  a  wagon  and  one  horse,  eighty  cents  ;  for  an 
Indian,  thirty  cents  ;  for  any  other  person,  fifteen  cents. 

Early  in  November,  news  reached  the  harassed  governor  that  Thomas 
Pell,  an  English  gentleman  and  a  rank  royalist  (formerly  Gentle- 
man of  the  Bedchamber  to  Charles  I.),  who  had  been  obliged  to  °v' 
leave  New  Haven  because  he  refused  to  swear  allegiance  to  the  local 
government,  on  the  ground  that  he  had  already  taken  an  oath  in  England, 
had  bought  of  the  Indian  sachem,  Annhook,  a  tract  of  land  in  West- 
chester, including  the  estate  formerly  owned  and  occupied  by  Mrs.  Annie 
Hutchinson.2  Stuyvesant  immediately  dispatched  a  marshal  to  warn  the 
intruder  that  the  same  land  had  long  ago  been  bought  of  the  Indians, 
and  paid  for,  by  other  parties,  and  to  forbid  the  transaction  altogether. 
Pell  took  no  notice  of  the  message,  but  went  on  improving  his  newly 

1  New  Amsterdam  Records. 

2  It  is  supposed  that  the  red  chieftain,  Annhook,  was  the  one  most  concerned  in  the  mur- 
der of  Mrs.  Hutchinson,  as  it  was  an  Indian  custom  for  a  warrior  to  assume  the  name  of  some 
distinguished  victim  of  his  prowess. 

11 


172  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


acquired  possessions.  Thirty-five  years  later,  the  acting  governor  of  New 
York  himself  purchased  the  township  of  New  Rochelle  of  Mr.  Pell.  From 
the  latter  the  town  of  Pelham  derived  its  name  ;  the  word  being  of  Saxon 
origin,  compounded  of  the  two  words,  Pell  and  ham.    {Ham  signifies 

home,  or  house.) 

During  the  same  month,  the  governor  himself  was  severely  repri- 
manded by  the  Amsterdam  Chamber.  The  following  paragraph 
'  is  a  key  to  the  document  which  he  received :  — 

"  You  ought  to  act  with  more  vigor,  and  dare  to  punish  refractory  sub- 
jects as  they  deserve." 

Opportunities  for  the  display  of  courage  were  certainly  not  wanting. 
At  that  very  moment,  some  of  the  English  settlers  on  Long  Island  were 
struggling  to  free  themselves  from  the  dominion  of  the  Dutch.  The  con- 
duct of  George  Baxter,  the  former  English  secretary,  and  of  Mr.  Hubbard, 
of  Gravesend,  was  such  that  Stuyvesant  removed  them  from  the  magis- 
tracy. Immediately  after,  he  visited  the  settlement  in  person,  hoping  to 
allay  in  some  measure  the  acute  discontent  which  prevailed,  and  to 
regulate  the  future  choice  of  magistrates.  He  was,  for  several  days,  the 
guest  of  Lady  Moody ;  and  Mrs.  Stuyvesant,  who  accompauied  her  hus- 
band, was  greatly  charmed  with  the  noble  English  lady.  The  house  of 
the  latter  in  Gravesend,  though  primitive  in  outward  construction,  was 
furnished  with  comparative  elegance  and  good  taste,  and  contained  the 
largest  collection  of  books  which  had  yet  been  brought  into  the  colony. 
It  was  fortified  against  the  Indians,  and,  in  the  course  of  its  curious  his- 
tory, sustained  several  serious  attacks. 

As  the  winter  advanced,  Stuyvesant  determined  to  make  a  voyage  to 
the  West  Indies,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  commerce  be- 

ec  8'  tweeu  the  Spanish  plantations  and  New  Netherlands  He  was  to 
sail,  on  Christmas  eve,  in  the  AbraJmm's  Sacrifice,  and  the  city  magis- 
trates were  impelled  to  call  a  special  meeting  of  the  Common  Council 
and  pass  the  following  significant  resolution :  — 

"  Whereas,  The  Right  Honorable  Peter  Stuyvesant,  intending  to  depart, 
the  burgomasters  and  schepens  shall  compliment  him  before  he 

ec'  '  takes  his  gallant  voyage,  and  shall  for  this  purpose  provide  a 
gay  repast,  on  Wednesday  next,  in  the  Council  Chamber  of  the  City 
Hall." 1 

The  list  of  edibles  which  was  furnished  to  the  committee  of  arrange- 
ments was  a  long  oue,  and  the  dinner  was  a  feast  indeed.  This  courtesy 
to  the  chief  magistrate  was  productive  of  sincere  good -feeling.  Wit  and 
humor  for  once  took  the  place  of  dignified  austerity.    The  governor  was 

1  New  Amsterdam  Records. 


FIRST  CITY  SEAL. 


173 


First  Seal  of  New  Amsterdam. 


genial,  even  to  familiarity.    Before  the  party  separated,  he  presented  to 

the  city  a  long-desired  seal,  which  consisted 
of  the  arms  of  Old  Amsterdam,  —  three 
crosses  saltier,  —  with  a  beaver  for  a  crest. 
On  the  mantle  above  were  the  initial  let- 
ters C.  W.  C.  for  "  Chartered  West  India 
Company,"  for  to  that  corporation  the  island 
of  Manhattan  especially  belonged.  Under- 
neath was  the  legend  "  Sigillum  Amstello- 
damensis  in  Novo  Belgio,"  and  around  the 
border  was  a  wreath  of  laurel. 1 

The  administration  of  affairs  during  Stuy- 
vesant's  absence  was  committed  to  Vice-Governor  De  Sille  and  the  council. 
The  Dutch  held  national  festivals  in  high  esteem.    At  a  meet- 

Dec.  14. 

ing  of  the  Common  Council,  on  Monday,  December  14,  the  fol- 
lowing was  placed  on  record  :  — 

"  As  the  winter  and  the  holidays  are  at  hand,  there  shall  be  no  more 
ordinary  meetings  of  this  board  between  this  date  and  three  weeks  after 
Christmas.  The  court  messenger  is  ordered  not  to  summon  any  person 
in  the  mean  time."  2 

Christmas  was,  at  that  period,  observed  as  a  religious,  domestic,  and 
merry-making  festival  throughout  England  and  Holland,  as  well  as  in 
some  other  European  countries.  The  Dutch  often  called  it  the  "  children's 
festival."  The  evening  was  devoted  to  the  giving  of  presents,  and  "  Christ- 
mas trees  "  were  everywhere  in  vogue.  The  custom  originated  in  the 
Protestant  districts  of  Germany  and  Northern  Europe.  Saint  Nicholas, 
whose  image  presided  as  the  figure-head  of  the  first  emigrant  ship  which 
touched  Manhattan  Island,  and  for  whom  the  first  church  had  been  named, 
was  esteemed  the  patron  saint  of  New  Amsterdam.  The  hero  of  the 
childish  legend  of  Santa  Claus  —  the  fat,  rosy-cheeked,  little  old  man 
with  a  pipe  in  his  mouth,  driving  a  reindeer  sleigh  over  the  roofs  of 
houses  —  is  no  modern  creation  of  fancy.  His  expected  coming  created 
the  same  feverish  excitement,  the  same  pleasurable  expectancy,  the  same 
timorous  speculations,  among  sleepy  little  watchers  centuries  ago  as 
among  the  children  of  New  York  to-day. 

"  New  Year's  "  was  observed  by  the  interchange  of  visits.    Cake,  wine, 
and  punch  were  offered  to  guests.    It  was  one  of  the  most  impor-  i655 
tant  social  observances  of  the  year,  and  was  conducted  with  much 
ceremony.    Gifts,  on  that  day,  particularly  in  families  and  among  intimate 

1  Brodhead,  I.  597.    Vol  Man,  1848,  384. 

2  New  Amsterdam  Records,  II.  76,  77-81,  92. 


174 


IIISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


friends,  were  by  no  means  unusual.  The  custom  of  New- Year's  visits, 
which  had  been  handed  down  from  remote  ages,  prevails  at  the  present 
time  in  nearly  all  the  large  cities  of  the  world. 

The  winter  wore  away  quietly.    The  vice-governor  was  seriously  em- 
barrassed, through  the  constant  uneasiness  and  the  threats  of  the  English 
colonists,  and  longed  for  Stuyvesant's  return  ;  but  nothing  of  any  impor- 
tance occurred.    In  February,  the  city  took  its  first  step  in  the 
direction  of  police  regulations.    Dirck  Van  Schelluyne,  the  lawyer, 
was  appointed  high  constable,  and  furnished  with  detailed  instructions  as 
to  his  duties.   As  the  spring  opened,  the  city  magistrates  obtained  control 
of  the  City  Hall  for  the  first  time,  and  ordered  it  "  to  be  emptied 
'  of  the  vast  quantity  of  salt  and  other  trumpery  with  which  it  was 
encumbered  ;  its  lodgers  were  also  cleared  out."    They  then  proceeded  to 
put  it  in  better  repair ;  and  it  became  a  very  respectable-looking  edifice.1 
It  faced  the  East  Kiver,  but  was  so  closely  hemmed  in  by  other  buildings 
that  a  good  view  of  it  was  difficult  to  obtain.    The  Council  Chamber  was 
in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  second  story.    The  prison  was  a  small 
room  on  the  first  floor  in  the  rear.    Upon  the  roof  was  a  handsome  cupola, 
in  which  hung  a  bell.    In  the  year  1G99,  the  building  gave  place  to  a 
new  City  Hall  in  Wall  Street,  at  the  head  of  Broad,  and  was  sold  for  one 
hundred  and  ten  pounds  sterling.    Its  stones,  which  were  very  finely  cut, 
may  even  now  be  traced  in  the  foundations  of  some  of  the  stores  in  that 
vicinity. 

It  was  found  necessary  to  protect  the  shore  in  front  of  the  City  Hall 
against  high  tides.  Prior  to  this  date,  a  stone-wall  had  been  constructed 
and  the  street  filled  in ;  but  the  water  washed  between  the  crevices,  and 
it  was  resolved  to  drive  planks  into  the  shore  and  make  a  uniform 
"  sheet  pile  "  extending  the  whole  distance  between  Broad  Street  and  the 
City  Hall,  for  the  expenses  of  which  all  the  lot-owners  were  taxed.  The 
public  school  was  removed,  in  May,  from  the  little  room  in  the  City  Hall 
to  a  small  building  on  Pearl  Street  which  had  been  rented  for  the  purpose, 
and  William  Verstius  was  employed  as  teacher. 

For  many  years,  the  people  of  Long  Island  used  to  cross  to  Manhattan 
on  the  Sabbath,  to  attend  public  worship,  except  when  some  clerical 
traveler  preached  in  a  private  house.  They  had  sent  several  petitions  to 
the  government  for  the  establishment  of  a  church,  which  was  accom- 
plished at  Midwout  (Flatbush)  in  1654.  Stuyvesant  appointed  Dominie 
Megapolensis,  John  Snedicor,  and  John  Stryker  to  superintend  the  erec- 
tion of  a  church  edifice,  which  was  to  be  built  in  the  form  of  a  cross, 
twenty-eight  feet  wide  and  sixty  feet  long,  and  twelve  to  fourteen  be- 

1  Sm  sketch  of  City  Hall  oil  page  106. 


DOMINIE  POLHEMUS. 


175 


tween  the  beams.  The  rear  of  it  was  to  be  used  as  a  minister's  dwelling. 
The  construction  of  this  first  house  of  worship  in  Kings  County  occupied 
several  years,  although  it  was  sufficiently  advanced  in  the  summer  of 
1655  to  allow  of  its  being  opened  for  church  services. 

Dominie  Johannes  Theodorus  Polhemus  was  installed  pastor  over  this 
church.  He  had  just  arrived  in  New  Netherland  from  Brazil,  where  he 
had  been  laboring  as  a  missionary.  He  had  sprung  from  an  ancient  and 
highly  respectable  Holland  stock,  and  was  a  gentleman  of  fair  education 
and  moderate  ability.  In  1656,  he  was  joined  by  his  wife  and  family. 
He  had  two  sons,  Theodore  and  Daniel,  from  whom  have  descended  all 
of  the  name  in  this  country.  In  order  to  accommodate  the  people  scattered 
here  and  there  over  the  wild  region  between  Breuckelen  and  Gravesend, 
it  was  arranged  that  there  should  be  preaching  in  Flatbush  on  Sunday 
mornings,  and  alternately  in  Breuckelen  and  Flatlands  on  Sunday  after- 
noons. It  was  not  long  before  Breuckelen  began  to  grow  mutinous. 
The  minister's  tax  was  a  serious  bugbear.1  The  Sunday  service  was 
pronounced  "  poor  and  meager."  The  people  said  "  they  were  getting 
only  a  prayer  in  lieu  of  a  sermon,  so  short  that  when  they  supposed  it 
just  beginning  it  came  to  an  end,"  —  in  other  words,  they  were  not  getting 
the  worth  of  their  money, —  and  they  asked  to  be  relieved  from  supporting 
such  an  unsatisfactory  gospel.  The  governor  replied  by  sending  a  sheriff 
to  collect  their  dues.  He  reproved  them  sharply  for  attempting  thus  to 
shirk  the  fulfillment  of  their  promises;  and  he  reminded  them  that  the 
good  minister  was  in  absolute  suffering  for  the  want  of  his  salary,  - —  his 
house  being  unfinished,  and  himself,  wife,  and  children  obliged  to  sleep  on 
the  floor. 

In  the  month  of  July,  Stuyvesant  returned  from  the  West  Indies. 
He  had  been  wholly  defeated  in  the  object  of  his  voyage,  through 
Cromwell's  peculiar  policy,2  and  he  was  weary,  sick,  and  disap-  July' 
pointed.  He  found  orders  awaiting  him  from  Holland  to  proceed  against 
the  audacious  Swedes  at  Fort  Casimir,  and  to  drive  them  from  every 
point  on  the  South  River.  A  squadron  of  armed  vessels  for  his  use  had 
already  arrived.  The  city  fathers  had  fitted  up  another  large  vessel,  to 
swell  the  force.  Volunteers  were  enlisted  from  both  town  and  country. 
During  the  month  of  August,  the  little  city  was  alive  with  warlike  prep- 
arations.   Three  North  River  vessels  were  chartered,  pilots  were  engaged, 

1  New  York  Col.  MSS.,  VIII.  406.    Stiles' s  History  of  Brooklyn,  I.  130-134. 

2  Cromwell  had  issued  orders,  during  1654,  for  the  management  and  government  of  the 
West  Indies  ;  and  the  commissioners,  on  their  arrival,  laid  an  embargo  on  all  the  Dutch  ships 
in  these  islands,  eight  of  which  were  seized  at  Barbadoes  alone.  Three  of  the  same  were  un- 
der the  command  of  Governor  Stuyvesant.    O'Callaghan,  II.  285. 


176 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


and  provisions  and  ammunition  laid  in  store.  The  25th  of  August  was  ob- 
served as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  for  the  success  of  the  under- 
Aug' 25  taking.  On  the  first  Sunday  in  September,  after  the  close  of  the 
morning  sermon  in  the  fort,  the  seven  vessels,  manned  by  seven  hundred 
men,  sailed  out  of  the  harbor.  They  were  commanded  by  Governor 
Stuyvesant  in  person,  who  was  accompanied  by  Vice-Governor  De  Sille, 
and  Dominie  Megapolensis,  as  chaplain  of  the  expedition. 

In  a  few  days,  they  entered  the  Delaware  River,  passed  Fort  Casimir, 
and  landed  about  a  mile  above.  A  flag  of  truce  was  sent  to  the  fort, 
demanding  its  surrender,  which,  after  some  parleying,  was  acceded  to 
without  resistance.  The  Swedish  commander  went  on  board  Stuyvesant's 
vessel  and  signed  a  capitulation.  The  Swedes  were  allowed  to  remove 
their  artillery ;  twelve  men  were  to  march  out  with  full  arms  and  accou- 
terments ;  all  the  rest  retained  their  side-arms,  and  the  officers  held  then- 
personal  property.  At  noon,  on  the  25th  of  September,  the  Dutch, 
'  with  sounding  bugles  and  flying  banners,  took  possession  of  the 
fort.  Such  of  the  Swedes  as  chose  were  allowed  to  take  the  oath  of 
allegiance  to  the  New  Netherland  government  and  remain  in  the  country. 
The  next  day  was  Sunday,  and  Dominie  Megapolensis  preached  to  the 
troops.  Towards  evening,  a  report  was  brought  to  the  governor  that  the 
Swedish  commander,  Rising,  had  re-assembled  his  forces  at  Fort  Christina, 
two  miles  farther  up  the  river,  and  was  actively  strengthening  his  posi- 
tion there. 

The  Swedes  had  an  undisputed  right  to  the  land  about  Fort  Christina,1 
having  made  the  purchase  many  years  before  with  the  tacit  consent 
of  the  company.  They  had  been  cultivating  gardens  and  tobacco,  and 
were  making  fair  progress  in  the  erection  of  dwellings.  There  were 
about  two  hundred  independent  settlers.  Stuyvesant  moved  his  fleet  to 
the  mouth  of  the  Brandywine  River,  where  he  anchored,  invested  Fort 
Christina  on  all  sides,  and  demanded  a  surrender.  Resistance  was  hope- 
less. Articles  of  capitulation  were  quickly  signed,  and  thus  came  to  an 
eud  the  Swedisli  dominions  on  the  Delaware. 

Meanwhile,  a  terrible  calamity  befell  New  Netherland.  A  few  days 
after  the  governor  and  military  had  departed  from  the  peaceful 
^'"'little  city  on  Manhattan  Island,  Ex-Sheriff  Van  Dyck  shot  an 
Indian  woman  who  was  stealing  peaches  from  his  orchard,  on  the  west 
side  of  Broadway,  below  Trinity  Church,  For  ten  years  the  savages  had 
beerj  friendly,  and  the  minds  of  the  people  were  lulled  into  a  state  of 
security  in  regard  to  them.    But  the  woman's  tribe  were  inflamed  by  the 

1  Fort  Christina  WU  alxnit  thirty-five  miles  below  the  present  site  of  Philadelphia,  on  a 
■Bull  stream  called  Christina  Creek. 


THE  INDIAN  HORROR. 


177 


murder,  and  they  determined  upon  revenge.  They  knew  of  the  absence 
of  the  greater  part  of  the  male  population  of  New  Amsterdam,  and 
availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity.  About  two  thousand  armed  war- 
riors, in  sixty-four  canoes,  suddenly  appeared  before  the  city.  It  was  in 
the  early  morning,  just  as  daylight  was  breaking  in  the  east.  They  landed 
stealthily,  and  scattered  themselves  through  the  streets,  breaking  into 
several  houses,  under  pretense  of  searching  for  Indians  from  the  North. 
The  people  were  stricken  with  mortal  terror.  The  city  officers  sprang 
from  their  beds,  as  did  also  the  members  of  the  governor's  council,  and 
after  a  hurried  conference,  went  bravely  among  the  Indians  and  asked 
to  see  their  sachems.  The  latter  came  to  the  fort,  where  they  were 
received  and  treated  in  the  kindest  manner.  They  finally  promised  to 
take  their  warriors  out  of  the  city,  and  proceeded,  after  much  delay,  to 
their  canoes.  They  crossed  over  to  Nutten  Island,  but  soon  after  dark 
they  returned,  and  ran  up  Broadway  to  the  house  of  Van  Dyck,  whom 
they  killed.  Paulus  Van  der  Grist,  who  lived  next  door,  stepped  out, 
hoping  to  quiet  the  savages,  but  was  struck  down  with  an  ax.  The  city 
was  in  arms  at  once,  and  the  citizens,  with  the  aid  of  the  burgher-guard, 
drove  the  vindictive  enemy  to  their  canoes. 

But  this  effected  only  a  change  in  the  scene  of  carnage.  The 
Indians  hurried  to  Pavonia  and  Hoboken,  and  massacred  every  man, 
woman,  and  child  they  could  find.  From  there  they  went  to  Staten 
Island,  where  were  eleven  flourishing  plantations,  with  about  ninety 
settlers,  and  laid  waste  the  entire  land.  Thence  they  carried  their  devas- 
tations into  other  parts  of  New  Jersey.  In  three  days,  one  hundred  had 
been  murdered  and  as  many  more  carried  into  captivity ;  twenty-eight 
plantations  had  been  wholly  destroyed,  and  property  had  been  lost  to  the 
amount  of  eighty  thousand  dollars  ! 

The  whole  country  was  struck  with  horror  and  fear.  The  farmers  fled 
with  their  families  to  the  fort  for  protection.  The  English  villages  on 
Long  Island  were  threatened,  and  Lady  Moody's  house  at  Gravesend  was 
twice  attacked.  Prowling  bands  of  savages  flitted  in  and  out  of  the 
woods  on  the  northern  part  of  Manhattan  Island.  Mrs.  Stuyvesant  and 
her  children  were  at  their  country-place,  in  the  neighborhood  of  13th 
Street ;  and  as  the  citizens  were  so  few  in  number  that  it  was  difficult  to 
spare  a  guard  for  her  protection,  ten  resolute  Frenchmen  were  hired  for 
that  duty. 

As  soon  as  possible,  a  message  was  sent  to  the  absent  governor,  who 
hastened  home,  bringing  joy  and  confidence  to  the  distressed  com- 
munity.   His  policy  with  regard  to  the  Indians  was  to  give  no  new 
provocation,  and  to  exchange  fire-arms  for  prisoners.    He  succeeded, 
12 


178 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


after  a  short  time,  in  inducing  the  red-men  to  sue  for  peace,  and  then  he 
promptly  concluded  a  treaty  with  them. 

About  this  time,  one  great  source  of  misfortune  to  the  province  was 
removed.  Van  Tienhoven,  who  had  gradually  been  falling  into  almost 
every  known  vice,  was  believed  to  have  given  serious  cause  —  through 
imprudence  when  intoxicated  —  for  the  late  terrible  tragedies.  Every 
honest  heart  and  every  honest  face  was  turned  against  him.  Having 
been  suddenly  detected  in  the  perpetration  of  gross  frauds  upon  the 
revenue,  he  was  arrested.  Stuyvesant  clung  to  him  to  the  last.  He 
tried  to  palliate  his  misconduct,  evidently  blinded  to  the  extraordinary 
profligacy  and  corruption  which  had  ruined  the  miserable  sheriff,  body 
and  soul.  Before  the  time  arrived  for  submitting  his  defense,  Van  Tien- 
hoven absconded,  leaving  his  hat  and  cane  floating  on  the  river,  to  convey 
the  idea  of  suicide.  His  wife  begged  that  his  property  and  papers 
might  not  be  seized,  and  the  execution  was  stayed.  His  brother  Adriaen, 
the  receiver-general,  disappeared  at  the  same  time,  and  was  subsequently 
recognized  in  the  English  service  at  Barbadoes,  in  the  capacity  of  cook. 

In  the  midst  of  these  excitements,  a  few  Lutherans  attempted  to  hold 
religious  meetings.  Stuyvesant,  with  all  his  Christian  virtues,  was  re- 
ligiously intolerant.  He  issued  a  proclamation,  forbidding  the  people  to 
assemble  for  any  religious  service  not  in  harmony  with  the  Reformed 
Church.    This  penal  law,  the  first  against  freedom  of  conscience 

1656.  . |  , 

which  disgraced  the  statute-book  of  New  York,  was  rigorously  en- 
forced. Stuyvesant  claimed  that  its  purpose  was  "  to  promote  the  glory 
of  God,  and  the  peace  and  harmony  of  the  country."  Any  minister  who 
should  violate  it  was  to  be  fined  one  hundred  pounds.  Any  person  who 
should  attend  such  a  meeting  was  to  be  lined  twenty-five  pounds.  Com- 
plaints were  sent  to  Holland,  and  the  company  rebuked  the  governor  for 
his  bigotry.    The  directors  wrote  :  — 

"  We  would  fain  not  have  seen  your  worship's  hand  set  to  the  placard 
against  the  Lutherans,  nor  have  heard  that  you  oppressed  them  with  the 
imprisonments  of  which  they  have  complained  to  us.  It  has  always  been 
our  intention  to  let  them  enjoy  all  calmness  and  tranquillity.  Wherefore 
you  will  not  hereafter  publish  any  similar  placards  without  our  previous 
consent,  but  allow  all  the  free  exercise  of  their  religion  in  their  own 
houses." 

The  Lutherans  in  Holland  soon  after  sent  a  clergyman,  the  Rev.  Er- 
nestus  Goetwater,  to  New  Amsterdam,  to  organize  a  church.  It  was  with 
the  consent  of  the  company,  and  the  movement  was  thought  very  noble 
and  tolerant  in  those  dark  days  of  the  seventeenth  century.  There  was, 
however,  in  the  instructions  sent  to  the  governor  a  qualification  which  he 


THE  LUTHERAN  PERSECUTION. 


179 


interpreted  according  to  his  own  arbitrary  views.  There  should  be  no 
conventicles.  The  clergy  of  the  Eeformed  Church  in  New  Amsterdam  re- 
monstrated against  permitting  the  Lutheran  minister  "  to  do  any  clerical 
service  whatever."  They  said  it  would  encourage  "  heresy  and  schism," 
and  that  the  established  religion  "•  was  the  only  lawful,  being  commanded 
by  the  Word  of  God."  Stuyvesant  finally  ordered  Goetwater  to  leave  the 
colony  and  return  to  Holland.1  He  even  went  so  far  as  to  compel  parents 
of  Lutheran  principles  to  assist  at  the  baptism  of  their  children  in  the 
Reformed  Church.  If  they  refused,  they  were  imprisoned  and  fined.  The 
law  applied  equally  to  all  denominations.  There  were  a  few  Baptists  in 
Flushing.  They  met  in  the  house  of  one  of  the  magistrates  of  the  town, 
and  a  man  without  license  preached,  administered  the .  sacrament,  and 
baptized  several  persons  in  the  river.  He  Was  arrested,  fined  one  thousand 
pounds,  and  banished  from  the  province.  The  magistrate  was  removed 
from  office,  as  a  penalty  for  allowing  the  meeting  to  be  held  in  his  house. 

The  city  fathers  were  unceasingly  industrious.  They  enacted  laws 
and  ordinances  with  as  much  grace  as  their  ruler  assumed  sovereignty. 
They  condemned  all "  flag  roofs,  wooden  chimneys,  hay-stacks,  hen-houses, 
and  hog-pens,"  which  were  located  on  the  principal  streets.  They  ordered 
owners  of  gardens  to  either  sell  or  improve  them.  The  penalty  for  refu- 
sal was  taxation.  They  compelled  buyers  of  city  lots  by  the  terms  of 
purchase  to  build  upon  them  without  delay.  The  average  price  of  the 
best  city  lots  had  reached  fifty  dollars.  Houses  rented  at  from  fourteen 
to  one  hundred  dollars  per  annum.  They  surveyed  and  established  the 
streets,  seventeen  in  number.  This  occurred  in  July.2  The  next 
year,  they  began  to  pave.  The  first  street  honored  with  paving-  July' 
stones  was  De  Hoogh,  —  what  is  now  Stone  Street,  between  Broad  and 
Whitehall.  In  1658,  De  Brugh  or  Bridge  Street,  so  called  from  a  bridge 
which  had  been  built  across  the  ditch  at  Broad  Street,  was  improved  in 
like  manner.  Within  the  next  two  years,  all  the  streets  most  used  were 
paved.  These  pavements  were  of  cobble-stones,  with  the  gutters  in  the 
middle  of  the  street.    Sidewalks  were  not  as  yet  contemplated. 

The  census  of  the  city  was  taken  in  1656.  The  inhabitants  were  found 
to  number  one  thousand,  of  which  a  large  proportion  were  negro  slaves. 
The  adjoining  cut  is  a  copy  of  Augustine  Heerman's  sketch  of  New  York 
in  1656,  which  was  widely  copied  and  circulated  in  Europe. 

1  This  harsh  decree  was  suspended,  out  of  regard  to  the  feeble  health  of  Rev.  Mr.  Goetwater. 

2  The  names  of  the  streets  were  :  Tc  Marckvelt,  De  Heere  Straat,  De  Waal,  Tc  Water, 
De  Perel  Straat,  Aghter  De  Perel  Straat,  De  Browner  Straat,  De  Winckel  Straat,  De  Bever 
Graft,  Tc  Marckvelt  Steegie,  De  Smee  Straat,  De  Smits  Valley,  De  Hoogh  Straat,  Dc  Brugh 
Straat,  De  Heero -Graft,  De  Prince  Graft,  Dc  Prince  Straat. 


180  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


There  was,  on  the  line  of  Moore  Street,  one  small  wharf  running  out  from 
Pearl,  but  extending  a  little  farther  into  the  stream  than  low-water  mark. 
Ships  usually  moored  in  the  East  River,  and  sent  their  cargoes  ashore  in 
scows,  which  were  compelled  to  come  up  to  the  head  of  the  pier.  The 
increase  of  the  shippiug  rendered  it  desirable  that  this  wharf  should  be 
elongated  about  fifty  feet,  and  it  was  accordingly  done.  A  market-stand 
for  country  wagons  was  established,  the  same  year,  on  an  uninclosed 
space  near  the  Bowling  Green.  AUard  Anthony  opposed  the  measure  in 
the  board  of  schepens,  because  the  selected  site  was  in  front  of  his  own 
house,  and  his  wife  and  daughters  would  object.    But  he  was  overruled 


View  of  New  York,  1656. 


by  the  majority.  Three  years  later  a  yearly  lair  for  the  sale  of  cattle  was 
instituted,  and  the  exchange  for  buyers  and  sellers  was  located  beside  this 
market-stand.  The  cattle  were  fastened  to  posts,  driven  for  the  purpose, 
on  the  west  side  of  Broadway,  in  front  of  the  graveyard.1  The  fair  com- 
menced October  20,  and  closed  late  in  November.  It  brought  strangers 
to  the  city  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  even  from  New  England,  and 
threw  business  constantly  in  the  way  of  the  merchants.  This  fair  existed 
for  more  than  sixty  years. 

Dominie  Drisius  lived  in  a  pretty  cottage  on  the  north  side  of  Pearl 
Street,  below  Broad,  —  the  lot  was  twenty  feel  front,  extending  through 
to  Bridge  Street,  lie  exerted  a  healthful  influence  over  the  church,  and 
also  took  an  active  interest  in  political  affairs.  In  1653,  he  was  sent  as 
ambassador  to  Virginia,  and  concluded  an  important  commercial  treaty 
with  Governor  Bennet,  including  the  concession  to  New  Netherland 

1  The  fust  burial-ground  in  Now  York  was  on  the  west  side  of  Broadway,  near  Morris* 
Street.  Just  north  of  it  was  the  large  stone  house  of  Paulus  Van  iler  Grist,  before  mentioned 
(pp.  161,  177).  The  orchards  and  gardens  of  the  latter  were  highly  cultivated,  and  extended 
to  the  very  edge  of  the  North  Hiver.  Some  years  later  this  tine  property  was  owned  and 
occupied  by  Hon.  Francis  Kombouta. 


BURGHER  RIGHTS. 


181 


merchants  of  the  power  to  collect  debts  due  them  in  Virginia.1  When 
the  dominie  first  arrived  in  New  York,  he  was  a  middle-aged  widower. 
He  subsequently  married  Lysbeth  (Elizabeth),  the  widow  of  Isaac  Gre- 
veraet.  She  held  a  large  property  in  her  own  right,  and  is  often  mentioned 
upon  the  tax -lists  as  "  Mother  Drisius."  Dominie  Megapolensis  owned  a 
small,  comfortable  house  in  the  vicinity  of  Beaver  Street.  The  most 
pretentious  house  in  the  city  had  recently  been  built  by  Pieter  Cornelisen 
Vanderveen,  a  rich  merchant,  who  was  described  as  "  old  and  suitable  " 
for  a  great  burgher.  He  was  for  a  time  one  of  the  schepens,  and  he  had 
held  many  offices  of  trust  in  the  church  and  community.  He  married, 
in  1652,  Elsie  Loockermans,  who,  after  his  death,  became  the  wife  of  Jacob 
Leisler.  Pearl  Street  was  the  favorite  locality  for  building,  and  was  well 
lined  with  dwellings.2  On  Bridge  Street  lived  Hendrick  Kip.  His  house 
was  small,  but  his  lot  was  ninety  feet  front  and  seventy  deep.  His  nearest 
neighbor,  Abraham  Verplanck,3  the  ancestor  of  the  Verplanck  family  of 
New  York,  was  one  of  the  oldest  citizens ;  he  also  owned  a  farm  near 
Fulton  Street.    Thomas  Hall  lived  on  a  hill  in  the  vicinity  of  Peck  Slip. 

On  the  site  of  Trinity  Church  and  churchyard  there  was  a  fine  gar- 
den belonging  to  the  company,  between  which  and  the  Van  der  Grist 
estate  on  the  south,  Governor  Stuyvesant  granted  to  each  of  his  two 
sons,  Nicholas  William  and  Balthazar,  a  lot  containing  ninety-three  feet 
front  and  two  hundred  and  forty-eight  feet  deep,  to  the  North  Biver 
shore. 

The  effort  to  sustain  a  good  public  school  appears  on  nearly  every  page 
of  the  records.  As  the  children  increased  in  numbers,  a  larger  building 
than  the  one  on  Pearl  Street  was  procured.  William  Verstius  was  suc- 
ceeded as  teacher  by  Harmen  Van  Hoboken,  who  was  also  a  famous  singer 
and  acted  as  church  chorister.  Five  years  afterward,  he  was  superseded 
by  Evert  Pietersen,  because  of  alleged  inattention  to  his  pupils.  The 
salary  was  then  fourteen  and  one  half  dollars  per  month,  with  a  margin 
of  fifty  dollars  per  annum  for  board. 

About  this  time,  the  system  of  great  and  small  "  burgher  rights  "  was 
introduced  into  the  city.  Metropolitan  immunities  were  constantly  in- 
fringed by  peddlers,  who  sold  goods  and  departed  with  the  proceeds. 
Stuyvesant's  new  law  required  every  man  to  open  a  store  within  the  city 
limits  and  pay  a  fee  of  eight  dollars  before  commencing  trade.  In  this 
way  he  obtained  the  small  burgher  right.  All  natives  of  the  city,  resi- 
dents of  a  year  and  a  half,  salaried  officers  of  the  company,  and  husbands 

1  Albany  Records,  IX.  59. 

2  There  were  on  Pearl  Street  forty-three  houses  and  a  few  shops. 
8  Abraham  Verplanck  had  two  sons,  Gulian  and  Isaac. 


182 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


of  the  daughters  of  burghers,  were  entitled  to  the  same  privilege.  The 
great  burghers  comprised  burgomasters,  schepens,  governors,  councilors, 
clergymen,  military  officers,  and  all  their  male  descendants.  The  city 
officers  were,  from  that  time  forth,  to  be  chosen  from  this  class.  They 
were  to  be  exempt  for  one  and  a  half  years  from  watches,  expeditions, 
and  arrests  by  inferior  courts.  The  great  burgher  right  could  be  secured 
by  the  payment  of  twenty  dollars  ;  but  not  many  were  disposed  to  buy  a 
right  which  all  disregarded.  The  system  proved  a  failure  in  New  Am- 
sterdam as  it  had  done  in  old  Amsterdam,  where  it  originated. 

Some  of  the  laws  of  that  period  were  strikingly  unique.  It  was  ex- 
pressly enjoined  upon  women  that  they  shoidd  not  scold.  The  penalty 
for  this  fault  was  arrest,  imprisonment,  and  fine.  In  aggravated  cases,  the 
grave  law-givers  resorted  even  to  public  whipping. 

One  Wolfert  Weber,  the  proprietor  of  a  small  tavern  near  the  Fresh 
Water  Pond,  entered  this  curious  complaint  against  Judith  Verbeth  :  — 

"  The  defendant  has  for  a  long  time  pestered  him ;  she  came  with  her 
sister  Sara  over  to  his  house  last  week,  and  beat  him  [the  plaintiff]  and 
afterwards  threw  stones  at  him.  He  pleads  that  said  Judith  be  ordered 
to  let  him  live  quietly  in  his  own  house." 

On  the  8th  of  May,  1657,  we  find  Nicholas  Verbeth  complain- 

1657  ■ 

ing  of  Wolfert  Weber  about  a  pile  of  stone.    Verbeth  stated  his 
case  thus :  — 

"  If  anybody  removes  what  belongs  to  another  without  his  knowledge, 
it  is  thieving ;  my  fiather  deposited  some  stone  by  the  Fresh  Water  Pond, 
before  his  own  door,  and  Weber  removed  it ;  whereupon  we  had  words, 
and  Weber  promised  to  deliver  other  stone  instead;  we  want  Weber 
ordered  to  bring  back  to  the  place  the  same  stone."  The  court  decided  for 
the  plaintiff,  and  ordered  the  stone  returned  within  eight  days. 

Hon.  Nicasius  De  Sille  prosecuted  a  man  for  stealing  "three  half- 
beavers,  two  nose-cloths,  and  a  pair  of  linen  stockings."  The  court  sen- 
tenced the  offender  to  be  whipped  within  the  Council  Chamber  and 
banished  from  the  city.  Slander  was  esteemed  a  rank  offense.  A  certain 
Jan  Adamzen,  for  slandering  certain  respectable  persons,  was  condemned 
to  be  "  stuck  through  the  tongue  with  a  red-hot  iron,  and  banished  from 
the  province." 

The  severity  of  sentences,  the  peculiar  modes  of  punishment,  etc.,  were 
but  a  feature  of  the  times.  They  originated  on  the  other  side  of  the  ocean. 
The  city  magistrates  seem  to  have  had  a  conscientious  regard  for  equity 
and  justice,  and  set  themselves  like  flint  against  Sabbath-breaking, 
drunkenness,  and  all  the  popular  vices.  It  was  a  mixed  population  they 
were  trying  to  control,  and  the  task  could  have  been  neither  easy  nor 


UNIQUE  LAWS. 


183 


agreeable.  The  governor  treated  his  subordinates  with  profound  respect, 
so  long  as  they  were  directly  in  the  line  of  their  duties.  In  his  commu- 
nications to  the  city  magistrates  he  was  exceptionally  courteous,  always 
preceding  his  signature  with  "  Your  High  Mightinesses'  affectionate 
Friend  and  Director."  But  he  curtailed  their  power  in  all  directions. 
One  day,  some  common  people  appeared  before  him,  much  aggrieved 
because  he  had  forbidden  the  servants  of  the  farmers  "  to  ride  the  goose  " 
at  the  feast  of  Shrovetide.  He  told  them  "  it  was  unprofitable  and  unne- 
cessary and  criminal  to  celebrate  such  pagan  and  popish  feasts,  and  though 
it  was  tolerated  in  some  places  in  Holland,  and  connived  at  by  magis- 
trates here,  he  should  enact  such  ordinances  as  would  tend  to  the  glory 
of  God  without  the  consent  of  a  little  court  of  justice  "  ;  adding,  "  I  under- 
stand my  quality  and  authority,  and  the  nature  of  my  commission,  better 
than  others,  and  hope  you  will  not  vex  and  trouble  me  continually."  1 

In  1658,  a  law  was  enacted  forbidding  the  whipping  of  negro  slaves 
without  first  obtaining  permission  of  the  city  magistrates.  Anoth- 
er remarkable  law  forbade  men  and  women  to  live  together  until 
legally  married ;  for  it  had  been  an  ancient  custom  —  of  much  longer 
standing  than  the  young  city  —  to  "  bundle  "  after  the  publication  of  the 
banns. 

The  same  year,  the  first  fire  company  was  organized.  It  was  called  the 
"  Battle  Watch,"  and  consisted  of  eight  men,  who  were  to  do  duty  from 
nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  until  morning  drum-beat.  Two  hundred  and 
fifty  fire-buckets,  with  hooks  and  ladders,  were  imported  from  Holland, 
reaching  New  Amsterdam  on  the  12th  of  August. 

Long  Island  was  one  continual  source  of  anxiety  to  the  men  in  power 
at  New  Amsterdam.  George  Baxter  returned  from  New  England  the 
next  year  after  he  was  dismissed  from  the  magistracy  at  Gravesend  (he 
crossed  Long  Island  Sound  on  the  ice),  and  was  arrested  in  the  course 
of  a  few  days  for  hoisting  the  flag  of  England  and  "  reading  seditious 
papers  to  the  people."  For  more  than  a  year,  he  lay  in  the  dungeon  of 
the  fort.  He  was  almost  forgotten,  when  Sir  Henry  Moody  and  others 
petitioned  so  earnestly  to  have  him  removed  to  a  more  comfortable 
apartment,  that  he  was  released  on  bail.  He  immediately  drew  up  a 
petition  to  Cromwell  to  be  emancipated  from  Dutch  rule  and  taken  under 
his  protection ;  and,  after  obtaining  a  large  number  of  signers,  he  left  the 
country.  He  soon  after  appeared  in  England,  and  was  active  in  trying  to 
vindicate  the  right  of  that  nation  to  the  entire  territory  of  New  Nether- 
land.  He  was  the  mortal  enemy  of  Stuyvesant,  both  at  home  and  abroad. 
Cromwell's  secretary  wrote  to  the  English  residents  of  Long  Island  a  long 

1  New  Amsterdam  Records. 


184  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 

letter,  which  Baxter  sent  to  Gravesend  by  one  of  his  emissaries,  with  in- 
structions to  have  it  publicly  read.  Stuyvesant  seized  the  man  and  the 
document.  The  former  he  imprisoned ;  the  latter  he  forwarded  to  Hol- 
land, unopened.  It  seemed  particularly  necessary  to  crush  every  symp- 
tom of  rebellion  on  Long  Island,  as  it  was  a  noted  resort  for  robbers  and 
pirates.  "  The  scum  of  New  England  is  all  drifting  into  New  Nether- 
land,"  said  the  venerable  Dominie  Megapolensis.  "  Why  do  you  harbor 
persons  who  are  driven  from  the  other  colonies  as  worse  than  a  pestilence  ? " 
asked  Dominie  Drisius  of  the  governor. 

Just  at  this  critical  moment,  a  ship  arrived,  bringing  some  Quakers 
who  had  been  expelled  from  New  England.  Of  these,  two  women,  with 
more  zeal  than  discretion,  went  preaching  through  the  streets.  They  were 
arrested,  and  taken  to  the  prison  in  the  fort,  where  they  were  confined  in 
separate  apartments.  After  being  examined,  they  were  placed  on  board 
a  ship  bound  for  Rhode  Island.  Robert  Hodgson,  one  of  the  Quakers, 
went  over  to  Hempstead,  intending  to  preach  there.  He  was  arrested  while 
walking  in  an  orchard,  and  examined  by  the  Hempstead  magistrates. 
A  message  was  sent  to  the  governor,  who  dispatched  an  armed  party  for 
the  poor  man,  the  same  evening.  His  Bible  and  papers  were  taken  from 
him,  and  he  was  pinioned  in  a  painful  position  for  twenty-four  hours. 
Two  women  who  had  entertained  him,  one  of  whom  had  a  nursing  infant 
of  four  months,  were  also  arrested.  The  latter  were  tied  info  a  cart,  to 
the  rear  end  of  which  Hodgson,  still  pinioned,  was  fastened  witli  his  head 
downwards  ;  and  thus  were  they  conveyed  over  the  bad  roads  to-  the  city, 
where  they  were  placed  in  separate  dungeons.  Upon  trial,  Hodgson  was 
sentenced  to  two  years'  hard  labor  with  a  negro  at  the  wheel  harrow,  or  to 
pay  a  fine  of  two  hundred  and  forty  dollars.  Being  destitute  both  of 
money  and  friends,  he  was,  a  few  days  afterwards,  brought  forth  and 
chained  to  the  wheelbarrow.  In  vain  he  argued  that  he  was  unused  to 
labor,  he  was  ordered  to  proceed ;  but  he  refused  to  move.  A  tarred 
rope  some  four  inches  thick  was  then  put  into  the  hands  of  a  strong  negro, 
who  beat  the  Quaker  until  he  fell  exhausted.  He  was  lifted  up  and  again 
beaten  until  it  was  estimated  that  he  had  received  one  hundred  Mows 
All  day,  standing  in  the  heat  of  a  broiling  sun,  his  body  bruised  and 
swollen,  he  was  kept  chained  to  the  wheelbarrow.  At  last  he  fainted. 
He  was  thrown  into  the  cell  for  the  night,  and  the  next  day  again  chained 
to  the  wheelbarrow.  A  sentinel  was  placed  over  him,  to  prevent  any 
conversation  with  his  companion.  As  before,  he  refused  to  work.  The 
third  day,  he  was  led  forth  chained,  and  was  still  indomitable  in  his  re- 
sistance.   Finally,  he  was  taken  before  the  governor. 

Stuyvesant  told  him  that  he  must  work ;  that  he  should  be  whipped 


THE  QUAKER  PERSECUTION. 


185 


every  day  until  he  did.  The  prisoner  looked  up  boldly  and  demanded  to 
be  told  what  law  he  had  broken.  He  was  not  answered,  but  sent  away  in 
contempt,  and  chained  again  to  the  wheelbarrow.  He  was  now  confined  to 
his  dungeon  for  two  or  three  days,  without  even  bread  and  water ;  but,  as 
this  brought  no  symptoms  of  surrender,  a  new  torture  was  tried.  He  was 
taken  to  a  private  room,  stripped  to  the  waist,  and  suspended  from  the 
ceiling  by  his  hands,  with  a  heavy  log  of  wood  fastened  to  his  feet.  He 
was  then  lashed  by  a  negro  until  his  flesh  was  cut  to  pieces ;  and,  after 
two  days'  respite  in  his  dungeon,  this  barbarity  was  repeated.  He  begged 
to  see  some  person  of  his  own  nation  ;  and  at  last  a  poor  Englishwoman 
came  and  bathed  his  wounds.  She  thought  he  could  not  live  until  mora- 
ine, and  informed  her  husband  of  his  terrible  condition.  The  man  hurried 
to  the  sheriff,  and  offered  a  fat  ox  to  be  allowed  to  remove  Hodgson  to  his 
house  until  he  recovered ;  but  he  was  informed  that  the  whole  fine  must 
be  paid  before  any  mercy  could  be  shown  to  the  prisoner.  By  this  time, 
the  pitiful  story,  having  got  well  noised  about,  reached  the  ears  of  Mrs. 
Bayard,  the  governor's  sister,  who  resolutely  interfered  in  behalf  of  the 
sufferer,  and  obtained  his  release. 

Hodgson  was  by  no  means  the  last  of  the  Quakers  of  that  epoch.  Per- 
secution seemed  to  multiply  their  numbers  and  increase  their  self-confi- 
dence. Rumors  that  they  were  creeping  about  among  the  Long  Island 
towns  led  to  the  strictest  watchfulness  on  the  part  of  the  magistrates, 
and  any  one  who  ventured  to  lodge  or  feed  a  Quaker,  man  or  woman,  was 
promptly  arrested  and  imprisoned.  Mrs.  Scott  and  Mrs.  Weeks,  having 
been  accused  of  "  absenting  themselves  from  public  worship  on  the  Lord's 
day,  to  attend  a  conventicle  in  the  woods  where  there  were  two  Quakers," 
were  imprisoned.  At  their  examination,  they  justified  themselves,  declar- 
ing that  they  had  broken  no  law  and  done  no  wrong.  Nevertheless,  they 
were  compelled  to  pay  a  heavy  fine.  There  were  a  great  number  of 
similar  instances.  Three  men,  suspected  of  being  Quakers,  were  brought 
before  the  governor  and  council,  and  at  once  confessed  themselves  such. 
But  the  tide  of  feeling  had,  by  this  time,  become  so  strong  against  the 
tarred  rope  and  wheelbarrow,  that  the  prisoners  were  only  sent  back  to 
Communipaw,  whence  they  had  come,  with  an  admonition  to  remain 
there.  The  good  dominies  wrote  to  the  West  India  Company  of  the 
alarming  spread  of  sectarianism  in  New  Netherland  ;  but  the  only  answer 
was  a  quiet  recommendation  to  allow  the  people  to  indulge  their  various 
religious  beliefs. 

All  at  once,  the  Indians  were  again  upon  the  war-path.  This  time,  Eso- 
pus  was  threatened.  A  messenger  came  in  haste  to  the  city  for  assistance. 
The  governor  responded  in  person,  accompanied  by  fifty  soldiers  under 


186 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Govert  Loockermans.  On  Ascension  Thursday,  the  settlers,  to  the  num- 
ber of  sixty  or  more,  assembled  at  the  house  of  Jacob  Jansen  Stol 
May  281  for  religious  services.  Stuy vesant  was  present,  and  took  the  oppor- 
tunity to  urge  the  farmers  to  unite  in  a  village,  instead  of  living  so  far 
apart  from  each  other.  It  seemed  almost  impossible  to  accomplish  this, 
as  their  crops  were  already  in  the  ground  and  in  need  of  constant  care 
and  protection.  They  were  but  just  recovering  from  their  previous 
losses,  and  could  ill  afford  the  time  necessary  for  removal  and  for  the  con- 
struction of  defenses.  They  begged  that  the  soldiers  might  remain  until 
after  harvest.  "  No,"  said  Stuy  vesant,  with  emphasis ;  "  but  they  shall 
remain  with  you  until  the  extra  work  is  done,  if  you  will  agree  at  once 
upon  the  site  of  your  village." 

Meanwhile,  messengers  had  been  sent  to  all  the  great  Indian  sachems 
within  easy  distance,  to  invite  them  to  an  interview  with  the  "  big  white 
sachem  from  Manhattan."  They  came,  sixty  or  more,  including  women 
and  children.  The  interview  took  place  under  an  immense  tree,  just 
outside  Mr.  Stol's  garden-fence.  Stuyvesant  went  out  to  greet  them, 
without  any  guard,  and  attended  only  by  Govert  Loockermans,  who  acted 
as  interpreter.  One  of  the  chiefs  arose  and  made  a  speech.  He  detailed 
in  full  the  wrongs  practiced  upon  the  Indians  for  the  last  twenty  years. 
When  the  sachem  sat  down,  Stuyvesant  was  on  his  feet.  His  reply  was 
a  masterpiece  of  concentrated  eloquence.  He  said  he  had  nothing  to  do 
with  events  which  had  occurred  before  his  time ;  that  such  remembrances 
were  buried  when  peace  was  agreed  upon.  With  his  bold  dark  eye 
emitting  flashes  which  seemed  to  penetrate  the  red  skins  of  the  stalwart 
warriors  around  him,  he  demanded,  "  Has  any  injury  been  done  you  in 
person  or  property  since  the  conclusion  of  peace,  or  since  /  came  into  the 
country  ? "  They  were  silent.  He  paused  a  moment,  and  then  rapidly 
enumerated  the  murders  and  affronts,  the  burning  of  houses  and  the 
killing  of  cattle,  which  he  and  his  subjects  had  received  at  their  hands. 
"  You  are  overbearing  and  insolent,"  he  said.  "  I  have  come  to  make  war 
upon  you,  unless  you  surrender  the  murderer,1  and  make  good  all  dam- 
ages. We  have  not  had  a  foot  of  your  land  without  paying  you  for  it. 
You  came  and  asked  us  to  buy  this  laud  and  make  a  settlement  here ; 
and  now  you  vex  and  threaten  us." 

An  old  chief  responded.  He  said  the  late  murder  had  been  committed 
by  a  Minnisinck  Indian,  who  was  skulking  now  at  a  great  distance  away. 
He  complained  of  the  selling  of  fire-water  to  his  tribe,  which  had  made 
great  mischief.  He  said  they  had  no  malice  against  the  white  men.  but 
the  young  men  wanted  to  fight. 

1  All  Esopus  farmer  had  been  killed,  and  two  houses  burned. 


WHITEHALL. 


187 


Stuyvesant  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  hurled  defiance  at  the  young  braves. 
"  Let  them  step  forth,"  he  shouted,  "  I  will  place  man  against  man ; 
yes,  I  will  place  twenty  against  forty  of  your  hot-heads.  Now  is  your 
time.  But  it  is  unmanly  and  mean  and  contemptible  to  threaten  farmers 
and  women  and  children,  who  are  not  warriors." 

The  Indians  were  humiliated.  They  dared  not  accept  the  challenge. 
They  laid  down  a  few  fathoms  of  wampum,  and  expressed  their  sorrow  for 
what  had  been  done  to  injure  the  Esopus  settlers.  In  the  course  of  the 
negotiations,  the  proposed  village  was  decided  upon.  A  spot  about  two 
hundred  and  ten  yards  in  circumference  was  chosen  at  the  bend  of  the 
creek,  where  three  sides  could  be  surrounded  with  water.  It  belonged  to 
the  Indians,  who  at  first  agreed  to  sell  it,  and  then  formally  offered  it  as 
a  gift  to  the  governor,  —  "  to  grease  his  feet,"  they  said,  "  because  he  had 
taken  so  long  a  journey  to  visit  them."  They  suddenly  seemed  to  hold 
the  "  great  white  sachem  "  in  profound  respect.  Stuyvesant  remained  at 
Esopus  until  the  buildings  were  removed  to  the  new  village,  a  guard- 
house was  erected,  a  bridge  was  thrown  across  the  creek,  and  temporary 
quarters  were  prepared  for  twenty-four  soldiers  that  he  proposed  to  leave 
behind,  to  keep  the  Indians  on  their  good  behavior. 

As  soon  as  the  governor  returned,  repairs  upon  Fort  Amsterdam,  which 
had  been  dragging  along  for  months,  were  prosecuted  with  vigor.  The 
negroes,  under  an  overseer,  built  a  stone-wall  some  three  feet  thick 
and  ten  feet  high  around  the  fortress.  The  governor's  house  was 
getting  old  and  rusty.  He  accordingly  built  for  himself  a  gubernatorial 
mansion  of  hewn  stone,  and  called  it  "  Whitehall."  It  was  located  upon 
the  street  which  was  subsequently  named  for  it.  It  was  surrounded  by 
gardens  on  three  sides,  and  a  rich  velvet  lawn  in  front  extended  to  the 
water's  edge,  where  lay  the  governor's  barge  at  the  foot  of  fine  cut  stone 
steps.  Upon  the  north  side  of  the  grounds  there  was  an  imposing 
gateway. 

The  governor's  country-seat,  where  he  and  his  family  usually  spent  the 
summer  months,  embraced  the  greater  portion  of  the  present  Eleventh, 
Sixteenth,  and  Seventeenth  Wards.  It  cost  him  originally  sixty-four  hun- 
dred guilders.  His  house  was  a  great,  commodious,  comfortable,  home- 
like specimen  of  Holland  architecture.  His  gardens  were  remarkably 
fine,  and  his  land  was  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  kept  from  thirty 
to  fifty  negro  slaves,  besides  a  number  of  white  servants,  constantly  em- 
ployed in  the  improvement  of  his  grounds.  The  road  to  the  city  had 
been  put  in  good  condition,  and  shade  trees  were  planted  on  each  side 
where  it  crossed  the  governor's  property. 

The  settlement  of  Harlem  was  commenced  through  an  offer  by  the 


188 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


government  to  give  any  twenty-five  families  who  would  remove  to  that 
remote  part  of  Manhattan  Island  a  court  and  clergyman  of  their  own 
and  a  ferry  to  Long  Island.  Upon  the  bank  of  the  Harlem  River  a  little 
tavern  was  built,  which  became  quite  a  resort  for  pleasure-parties  from 
tbe  city.  It  was  called  the  "Wedding  Place."  The  road  beyond  Stuy- 
vesant's  country-seat  was  Little  more  than  a  bridle-path  through  the 


REFERENCES. 

1  GOV.  ffTUWESANTS  HOUSE:  HURNT  1777. 
1  ST.  MARK'S  CHURCH.  J  / 

S  ST  MARK'S  CEMETARV.  /  / 

4  ST.  MARK'S  PARSONAGE.  /  ' 

5  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 

e  OLD  PEAR  TREE,  PLANTED  1147. 

7  PETERSriELD.  RESIDENCE  or  PETER  G.  STUVVE  'ANT. 

8  HOWEHY  HOUSE.  RESIDENCE  or  NICH.  WM.  STUYVEBAKT, 

9  UOWKIIY  VILLAGE  SCHOOL  HOUSE. 


Map  of  Stuyvesant's  Bouwerv 

woods,  crooking  about  to  avoid  ledges  and  ravines.  The  land  travel  at 
that  period  was  almost  exclusively  on  foot  or  on  horseback  ;  few  wagons 
had  as  yet  reached  the  country. 

In  the  mean  time,  a  general  fear  of  the  Indians  took  possession  of  the 
public  mind.  Stuyvesant  had  visited  Esopus  in  the  autumn,  after  the 
dwellings  had  been  collected  into  a  village,  and  tried  to  settle  certain 
claims  with  the  sachems.  Only  a  few  came  to  the  interview.  One  of  their 
number  plead  poverty  in  a  studied  and  cunningly  constructed  piece  of 
oratory,  entirely  avoiding  the  governor's  question  as  to  their  intentions 
in  regard  to  the  surrender  of  a  certain  tract  of  land  in  compensation 
for  the  injuries  they  had  committed.  When  brought  back  to  that  point, 
they  went  away,  pretending  that  they  must  consult  the  absent  chiefs. 


INDIAN  HOSTILITIES. 


189 


As  they  did  not  return,  the  governor  left  a  guard  of  fifty  soldiers  at  the 
post.  A  few  months  later,  a  sad  circumstance  enraged  the  savages  far 
and  near.  Thomas  Chambers  had  acquired  an  immense  tract  of  land  in 
the  vicinity  of  Esopus,  which  had  been  erected  into  the  manor  of  Fox- 
hall.1  Some  seven  or  eight  Indians  in  his  employ  had  been  husking  and 
shelling  corn  until  late  one  evening,  when  they  obtained  some  brandy  and 
had  a  drunken  orgie.  Their  hideous  and  unearthly  yells,  breaking  in 
upon  the  midnight  stillness,  startled  the  settlers,  who  reconnoitered  to 
find  out  the  cause.  The  officer  in  command  of  the  fort  forbade  his 
soldiers  to  molest  the  poor  wretches ;  but  some  of  the  imprudent  residents 
proceeded  to  the  spot  where  they  were  lying  in  a  heap  together  in  the 
bushes,  and  fired  a  volley  of  musketry  among  them.  Several  were 
wounded,  and  a  few  ran  away.  Presently  houses,  barns,  and  corn-stacks 
were  set  on  fire  all  through  the  country,  and  the  Esopus  fort  was  besieged 
for  three  weeks.  News  came  to  Manhattan  that  several  prisoners  had 
been  taken  by  the  Indians,  and  afterwards  tortured  in  the  most  cruel 
manner  and  burned  at  the  stake.  The  crisis  was  imminent.  Despair 
seemed  to  paralyze  the  fighting  men  of  the  colony.  Stuyvesant  had  been 
suffering  from  a  severe  illness ;  but  he  met  the  situation  grandly,  visiting 
all  the  neighboring  villages  in  person  and  using  every  effort  to  stimulate 
the  farmers  to  fortify  and  protect  themselves.  His  energy  was  marvelous, 
and  the  resources  of  his  mind  abundant.  He  was  delayed  several  days 
before  he  could  raise  a  force  sufficient  to  go  to  the  aid  of  suffering 
Esopus ;  but  he  succeeded  at  last,  and  took  command  in  person. 
Upon  his  appearance  the  Indians  fled,  and  heavy  rains  prevented  his 
pursuing  them.  He  obtained  the  co-operation  of  the  Mohawks,  and  hav- 
ing concluded  an  armistice  with  the  Esopus  tribe,  shortly  succeeded  in 
obtaining  a  few  of  the  prisoners  in  exchange  for  powder.  It  was  a  hollow 
truce,  as  everybody  understood.  During  the  entire  winter  after,  the  air 
was  full  of  alarms.  In  the  spring  there  was  fighting  again,  and  the 
Indians  were  driven  back  into  the  country.  They  were  awed  and  i66o. 
made  cautious,  but  not  conquered.  In  July,  however,  'through  July- 
the  influence  of  the  Mohawks  and  other  friendly  tribes,  they  sued  for 
peace,  and  an  important  treaty  was  concluded. 

Staten  Island  was  a  dreary  waste  for  long  after  the  massacre  of  1650. 
Baron  Van  der  Capellen  sent  out  fresh  colonists,  and  offered  many  induce- 

1  This  grant  was  confirmed,  in  1686,  by  Governor  Dongan,  who  invested  the  manor  with 
power  to  hold  Court  Leet  and  Court  Baron,  besides  many  other  temporal  honors.  Chambers 
was  a  man  of  much  dignity  and  influence.  He  was  justice  of  the  peace  at  Esopus,  ami  did 
notable  service  in  the  war  with  the  Indians.  He  left  no  descendants  in  the  direct  line  ;  and 
his  name  has  disappeared,  save  from  the  Book  of  Patents. 


190  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


ments  to  encourage  the  settlers  to  return ;  but  they  were  timid.  Melyn 
removed  to  New  Haven.  Baron  Van  der  Capellen  died,  and  his  heirs 
sold  their  entire  interest  to  the  West  India  Company.  In  1661,  some 
French  Huguenots  started  a  village  a  little  to  the  south  of  the  Narrows, 
which  was  fostered  by  the  government  with  fatherly  care.  Dominie 
Drisius  visited  them  every  two  months,  to  preach  in  French  and  to  ad- 
minister the  sacrament. 

A  tract  of  land  near  the  Fresh  Water  Pond,  which  had  hitherto  been 
used  as  a  common  for  the  pasturing  of  cattle,  was  fenced  in  about  this 
time  and  more  especially  devoted  to  the  city  cows.  A  herdsman  was 
employed,  who  went  through  the  streets  every  morning  blowing  a  horn, 
collected  his  drove,  conducted  it  to  the  grassy  fields,  and  brought  it  again 
through  the  city  gates  at  nightfall. 

As  time  wore  on,  the  subject  of  education  was  discussed  with  increased 
earnestness.  The  schools  were  imperfect,  and  it  was  difficult  to  remedy 
the  evil.  The  better  class  of  citizens  pressed  for  the  establishment  of  a 
higher  grade  of  schools.  Now  and  then,  some  enterprising  schoolmaster 
opened  a  private  establishment  without  the  consent  of  the  government, 
and  was  immediately  ordered  to  close  it.  Finally,  the  burgomasters  and 
schepens  wrote  to  the  company,  petitioning  for  a  suitable  master  for  a 
first-class  Latin  School.  They  said  their  sous  had  to  be  sent  to  New 
England  for  classical  instruction.  They  agreed  that  the  city  should  build 
a  school-house,  if  the  company  would  pay  the  teacher's  salary.  The 
company  consented,  and  sent  over  Dr.  Curtius,  a  physician  of  some  note, 
who  could  practice  medicine  when  not  engaged  with  his  pupils.  At  the 
end  of  two  years,  he  resigned  his  position,  on  account  of  ill-health ;  and 
Dominie  iEgidius  Luyck,  who  was  a  private  tutor  in  the  governor's  family, 
was  employed  in  his  stead.  He  soon  had  twenty  pupils,  including  two 
from  Virginia  and  two  from  Albany.  The  public  school  was  continued, 
and  two  private  schools  for  small  children  were  permitted.  One  of  these 
was  taught  by  Jan  Lubbertsen. 

Dominie  Henricus  Selyns1  arrived  in  the  summer  of  1660,  to  take  the 
pastoral  charge  of  the  first  church  in  Breuckelen.    He  was  formally  iu- 

1  Prior  to  1660,  the  only  ministers  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  New  Netherland  were  the 
Reverends  Megapolensis  and  Drisius  at  New  Amsterdam,  Schants  at  Beverwyck  (Albany), 
Polhemus  at  Midwout  (Flatbush),  and  Melius  at  New  Ainstel.  The  two  first-named  had 
written  earnest  letters  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  describing  the  state  of  religion  in  the 
colony,  and  entreating  that  good  Dutch  clergymen  be  speedily  sent  over.  These  letters  were 
forwarded  to  the  College  of  the  XIX.  It  was  difficult  to  persuade  clergymen  to  brave  the 
hardships  of  a  newly  settled  country,  but  Dominie  Selyns  received  and  accepted  a  call  to 
the  Brooklyn  church.  Dominie  Blom  came  over  with  hiin  under  appointment  to  preach  at 
Esopus  (now  Kingston). 


OLIVER  CROMWELL'S  DEATH. 


191 


stalled  on  the  7th  of  September.  The  ceremony  was  specially  interesting. 
Vice-Governor  De  Sille  and  Martin  Cregier  were  deputed  from  the 
governor's  council  to  introduce  the  minister  to  the  congregation ;  after 
which,  the  call  of  the  Classis  and  their  certificate  of  examination,  also  a 
testimonial  from  the  clergymen  of  Amsterdam,  were  read  by  the  dominie 
himself  to  the  assembly.  He  then  preached  his  inaugural  sermon.  The 
church  had  twenty  members,  inclusive  of  one  elder  and  two  deacons. 
But  they  had  as  yet  no  church  edifice,  and  the  installation  services  took 
place  in  a  barn. 

The  next  season,  Dominie  Selyns  married  a  young  woman  in  New 
Amsterdam.  She  was  very  gifted  and  beautiful.  Her  portrait  he  has 
handed  down  to  us  in  a  charming  little  birthday  ode.  The  governor, 
finding  that  the  Breuckelen  church  could  not  raise  the  minister's  salary 
without  great  embarrassment,  offered  to  advance  one  hundred  dollars 
per  annum  towards  it,  provided  Dominie  Selyns  would  preach  at  his 
farm  on  Sunday  afternoons.  He  built  a  small  chapel  at  his  own  expense 
on  the  site  of  the  present  church  of  St.  Mark ;  and  services  were  held  in 
it  on  the  Sabbath  during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

An  event  momentous  in  its  consequences  upon  the  future  of  the  little 
city  whose  fortunes  we  are  following  occurred  in  the  autumn  of  1658.  It 
was  the  death  of  Oliver  Cromwell.  The  reins  of  power  fell  quietly  into 
the  hands  of  his  eldest  son,  Bichard.  But  not  for  long.  The  young  man 
was  as  weak  as  his  father  was  strong.  Within  a  year,  England  had  dis- 
posed of  him,  and  was  in  imminent  danger  of  sinking  under  the  tyranny 
of  a  succession  of  small  men  raised  up  and  pulled  down  by  military  ca- 
price. General  was  opposed  to  general,  and  army  to  army.  Finally,  there 
was  one  grand  union  of  sects  and  parties  for  the  old  laws  of  the  nation 
against  military  despotism,  and  thus  the  way  was  paved  for  the  return  of 
Charles  II.  to  the  throne  of  his  ancestors. 


Medal  of  Oliver  Cromwell. 


192 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

1660-1664. 
THE  RESTORATION. 

The  Restoration.  —  Charles  II.  —  The  Connecticut  Charter.  — Sir  George  Downing. 

—  George  Baxter  and  John  Scott. —  Progress  of  the  City. — The  Antiquarian 
Map.  — The  Quakers.  — Destruction  of  Esopus.  — The  Indian  War  of  1663.  — 
Governor  Stuyvesant  in  Boston. — Thomas  Benedict.  — The  Embassy  to  Con- 
necticut. —  Startling  Condition  of  Affairs.  —  John  Scott.  —  Hon.  Jeremias  Van 
Rensselaer. — The  Convention  of  1664. — Mrs.  Dr.  Kierstede. — Planning  of 
Charles  II.  and  his  Ministers.  — An  Unfriendly  Expedition.  — New  Amsterdam 
in  Danger.  —  Preparations  for  a  Siege.  —  Winthrop's  Interview  with  Stuyve- 
sant. —  The  Letter.  —  The  approaching  Storm.  —  The  Crisis.  — The  Surrender. 

—  New  York.  —  Consequences  of  the  Conquest.  —  Stuyvesant  at  the  Hague.  — 
The  Stuyvesant  Pear-Tree.  — The  Stuyvesant  Family. 

ON  the  8th  of  May,  1660,  Charles  II.  set  out  on  his  triumphal  journey 
from  Breda  to  London.  He  was  magnificently  entertained  at  the 
Hague,  and  parted  with  the  States-General  and  other  officers  of  the 
Dutch  government  with  the  most  profuse  pledges  of  friendship.  On 
1660.  tne  29th  of  May,  he  entered  England,  welcomed  and  escorted  by 
May  29.  triumphal  processions.  A  spirit  of  extravagant  joy  seemed  to  per- 
vade the  whole  nation.  London  was  in  raptures.  He  remarked  dryly, 
"  that  he  could  not  see  for  the  life  of  him  why  he  had  stayed  away  so 
long,  when  everybody  was  so  charmed  with  him  now  that  he  was  at 
length  come  back." 

For  a  time,  he  was  more  loved  by  the  English  people  than  any  of  his 
predecessors  had  been.  The  calamities  of  his  house  and  his  own  roman- 
tic adventures  rendered  him  an  object  of  tender  interest  to  all  classes. 
His  return  had  delivered  them  from  what  had  become  an  intolerable 
bondage.  Entertainments  were  the  order  of  the  day.  Presently  drunk- 
enness overran  the  kingdom  and  corrupted  the  morals  of  the  people ; 
and,  through  pretenses  of  religion  and  profane  mockeries  Of  true  piety, 
grave  disorders  prevailed. 

The  king  was  a  young  man  (then  about  thirty  years  of  age),  of  pleas- 


CHARLES  II. 


193 


ing  address  and  elegant  manners.  He  was  cheerful  in  disposition,  fond 
of  wit  and  humor,  and  a  great  talker.  He  understood  affairs,  and  was 
familiar  with  matters  of  government  and  religion.  He  was  a  good 
mathematician ;  his  apprehension  was  quick,  and  his  memory  excellent. 
But  he  was  insincere,  had  an  ill  opinion  of  mankind,  detested  busi- 
ness, and  seemed  to  think  the  main  object  of  life  was  to  get  all  the 
pleasure  possible  out  of  every  hour  of  the  twenty-four.  Like  his  father, 
he  married  a  Catholic  queen.  His  marriage  festivities  with  Catharine  of 
Braganza,  of  Portugal,  were  brilliantly  celebrated  at  Hampton  Court  on 
the  anniversary  of  his  birth  and  restoration,  May  29,  1662.  But  not 
like  his  father  did  he  love  his  Catholic  queen ;  on  the  contrary,  he 
neglected  and  wounded  her,  and  rendered  her  life  one  of  abject  misery. 

The  Convention  Parliament  which  called  him  home  revised  the  Navi- 
gation Act  of  1651,  and  made  it  more  obnoxious  to  the  Dutch  than  ever 
Presently,  Lord  Baltimore,  through  an  agent  at  the  Hague,  ordered 
the  West  India  Company  to  surrender  the  lands  on  the  south  side  July  U' 
of  Delaware  Bay.    The  directors  were  confounded.     They  promptly 
declined  to  yield  territory  which  they  held  under  grant  from  the  States- 
General,  and  appealed  to  the  latter  for  protection.    A  demand  that  Lord 
Baltimore  should  be  ordered  to  desist  from  his  pretensions  until  the 
boundaries  were  properly  established,  and  that  the  territory  to  the  east' 
of  the  Hudson  River  which  the  English  had  usurped  should  be  restored 
and  the  inhabitants  thereof  required  to  conduct  themselves  as  Dutch 
subjects,  was  at  once  forwarded  to  the  Dutch  minister  at  Whitehall,  with 
directions  to  seize  the  first  opportunity  to  lay  it  before  the  king. 

American  affairs  were  confided  to  the  new  "  Council  of  Foreign  Plan- 
tations," of  which  Clarendon  was  the  head.  Charles  declined  to  trouble 
his  mind  with  them.  He  laughed  at  Lord  Baltimore  and  the  Earl  of 
Stirling  when  they  argued  their  claims,  and  said  "the  subject  was  too 
heavy  for  a  crowned  head."  He  hoped  he  shoidd  be  "  spared  the  stupid 
task  of  looking  after  a  batch  of  restless  Western  adventurers."  But  he 
was  reminded  of  the  prospective  treaty  of  commerce  and  alliance  with  the 
Dutch  nation,  and  of  the  necessity  of  settling  the  Delaware  Bay  contro- 
versy, and  requiring  the  Dutch  on  Long  Island  to  submit  to  English 
authority.  He  promised  to  give  his  attention  at  some  more  convenient 
season  in  the  future.  Meanwhile,  John  De  Witt,  the  grand  pensionary 
and  real  chief  magistrate  of  the  Netherlands,  grew  weary  of  the  procras- 
tination which  prefaced  the  execution  of  the  treaty,  and  instructed  his 
minister  to  bring  the  matter  to  a  close  or  to  leave  London.  The  document 
was  accordingly  signed,  at  Whitehall,  September  14,  1662.  At  that  very 
moment  the  "Council  for  Foreign  Plantations"  was  maturing  an  order 
13 


194 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


for  the  Virginia  governor  to  cause  the  Navigation  Act  to  be  carefully  ob- 
served, notwithstanding  the  well-known  intercolonial  treaty  which 
Stuyvesant  had  negotiated  with  Berkeley,  and  which  had  given 
great  satisfaction  to  both  provinces.    A  royal  charter  was  issued,  invest- 
ing Connecticut  with  jurisdiction  over  the  territory  "  bounded  east  by 
Narraganset  Bay,  north  by  the  Massachusetts  line,  south  by  the  sea,  and 
west  by  the  Pacific  Ocean,  including  all  the  islands  thereunto  adjoining." 
This  remarkable  charter,  under  which  Connecticut  thrived  until  1818, 
and  which  was  as  liberal  in  its  character  as  any  since  granted  by 
AprU'  our  republican  government,  guaranteeing  every  privilege  which 
freemen  could  desire,  passed  the  great  seal  in  April.    It  was  obtained  by 
John  Winthrop  the  younger.     This  gentleman  Avas  an  elegant  and 
accomplished  courtier,  and  an  intimate  personal  friend  of  Lord  Say,  Lord 
Seal,  the  Earl  of  Manchester,  and  others  of  the  royal  household.  He 
was  the  founder  of  New  London,  and  the  owner  of  Fisher's  Island, 
where  his  family  resided  for  some  years  in  a  mansion  erected  by  himself. 
He  was  actively  interested  in  all  the  concerns  of  the  Connecticut 
Colony,  and  drafted  the  charter  with  his  own  pen,  making  the  voyage 
to  Europe  in  order  to  secure  for  it  the  sanction  of  the  king.    He  wore 
into  the  royal  presence  an  extraordinary  ring  which  had  been  given  to 
.his  grandmother  by  Charles  I.    This  he  took  from  his  finger  and  pre- 
sented to  Charles  II.,  who  was  greatly  pleased,  and  tenderly  regarded  the 
treasure  which  had  once  belonged  to  a  father  most  dear  to  him.  The 
opportune  moment  was  seized  for  presenting  the  petition  from  Connecti- 
cut, "  which  was  received  with  uncommon  grace  and  favor  "  ;  and  Win- 
throp returned  in  triumph  to  America. 

When  Stuyvesant  heard  of  this  transaction,  he  declared,  that,  "it  was 
an  absolute  breach  and  nullification  of  the  boundary  treaty  of  1650,  and 
that  it  would  justify  the  States-General  and  West  India  Company  in  for- 
cibly recovering  all  their  ancient  rights,  which  he  had  surrendered  for  the 
sake  of  peace."  He  wrote  sharply  to  Winthrop,  who  retorted  in  the  same 
spirit.  The  latter  proceeded  to  notify  the  people  of  Westchester  and 
Long  Island  to  send  delegates  to  the  General  Court  of  Connecticut.  Stuy- 
vesant appealed  to  his  government  for  instructions. 

Sir  George  Downing,  Winthrop's  cousin,  was  the  English  minister  at 
the  Hague.  He  was  one  of  the  earliest,  ablest,  and  most  unprincipled 
graduates  (in  1642)  of  Harvard  College  in  Massachusetts.  Subsequently, 
he  was  Cromwell's  minister  to  the  Dutch  Republic,  where  he  openly 
insulted  his  exiled  king;  but,  through  consummate  tact  and  management, 
he  obtained  forgiveness,  and  was  taken  into  favor,  at  the  Restoration. 
His  American  life  rendered  him  familiar  with  the  whole  series  of  colo- 


SIR  GEORGE  DOWNING.  195 

nial  quarrels.  He  knew  every  weak  point  in  the  Dutch  title  to  New 
Netherland.  He  had  no  scruples  of  honor,  was  an  ardent  hater  of  the 
Dutch,  and  longed  for  a  war  which  might  aggrandize  the  new  king  and 
his  satellites.  He  played  a  double  part  on  all  occasions.  Once,  after 
dining  with  De  Witt,  and  promising  with  emphasis  to  use  his  best  en- 
deavor for  the  righting  of  the  wrong  of  the  "  Connecticut  encroachments," 
he  went  to  his  own  apartments  and  sent  the  following  private  advice  to 
Clarendon :  "  Wait  three  or  four  months,  and  then  answer  that  the  king 
will  write  into  those  parts  to  be  informed  of  the  truth  of  the  matter  of 
fact  and  right  on  both  sides."  He  adroitly  gathered  such  information  about 
Dutch  affairs  as  he  could  turn  to  English  advantage,  and  all  his  letters  to 
the  lords  in  power  were  seasoned  with  subtle  arguments  in  favor  of  the 
undoubted  right  of  England  to  the  whole  of  New  Netherland,  which  he 
affirmed  to  be  "  the  most  admirably  situated  region  in  North  America."  1 

New  England  never  took  kindly  to  the  [Restoration.  Charles  was  ac- 
knowledged with  reluctance  and  grim  austerity.  The  fear  that  he  would 
install  bishops  in  the  colonies  induced  the  Puritans  to  crowd  petition 
after  petition  upon  the  notice  of  the  indolent  monarch,  and  the  Church 
party  were  quite  as  voluminous  in  their  complaints  of  the  arrogant  and 
domineering  Puritans.  Samuel  Maverick  appeared  before  the  king,  to 
claim  redress  for  many  grievances  which  he  had  suffered  in  Massachusetts. 
He  was  a  zealous  Episcopalian.  He  was  accompanied  by  George  Baxter 
and  John  Scott,  from  Long  Island,  who  were  smarting  from  the  lash  of 
Governor  Stuyvesant.  The  latter  were  both  extensive  landholders  ;  indeed, 
Spott  claimed  to  have  purchased  nearly  one  third  of  the  island.  He  had 
formerly  been  an  officer  in  the  army  of  Charles  I.,  but  for  some  political 
misdemeanor  had  been  banished  to  New  England.  He  was  a  brilliant 
logician,  and  the  object  of  his  appeal  was  to  obtain  a  royal  grant  for  the 
government  of  Long  Island.  The  claim  of  Lord  Stirling,  however,  was  in 
the  way.  As  for  New  Netherland,  a  statement  was  drawn  up  by  Scott 
and  Baxter,  assisted  by  Maverick,  to  prove  the  king's  title  to  it ;  and  it 
was  emphatically  asserted,  that,  "  the  Navigation  Act  could  never  be  en- 
forced in  America  while  that  rich  territory  existed  as  a  Dutch  plantation." 

While  Charles  and  his  ministers  listened  with  newly  awakened  inter- 
est, and  revolved  various  plans  by  which  New  Netherland  might  be 
seized  without  an  open  rupture  (for  Charles  disliked  as  much  as  some  of 

1  Col.  Doc.,  II.  224-229,  302-507;  III.  47,  48.  Aitzema,  V.  64,  65.  Lister  s  Claren- 
don, III.  276-279.  Ogilby' g  America,  169.  Brndhcad,  11.12-20.  Burnet's  History  of 
the  Reign  of  Charles  II.,  136,  137.  Sir  George  Downing  was  the  son  of  Emanuel  Down- 
ing, the  brother-in-law  of  Governor  John  Winthrop.  He  was  born  in  London,  and  accom- 
panied his  parents  to  America  at  the  age  of  thirteen. 


196 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


his  lords  desired  hostilities),  the  West  India  Company  and  the  States- 
General  were  mildly  protesting  against  the  "  unpardonable  usurpations," 
and  asking  the  king  to  issue  orders  "  for  the  immediate  restoration  of  the 
towns  and  places  in  their  American  province  which  had  been  invaded  by 
his  subjects."  At  the  same  time,  Stuyvesant,  upon  this  side  of  the  water, 
was  working  manfully  to  sustain  his  authority  and  promote  the  interests 
of  his  employers. 

During  the  year  1661,  the  governor,  as  a  sort  of  peace-offering,  granted 
village  charters  to  five  Long  Island  towns.  Among  them  was  New 
Utrecht,  founded  by  Jacques  Cortelyou,  who  managed  the  estate  of  the 
deceased  Mr.  Werckhoven,  for  the  heirs.  This  property,  which  embraced 
the  land  along  the  bay,  from  Gowanus  to  Coney  Island,  and  which  cost 
originally  six  coats,  six  kettles,  six  axes,  six  chisels,  six  small  looking- 
glasses,  twelve  knives,  and  twelve  combs,  had  been  improved  by  Werck- 
hoven until  it  offered  special  attractions,  and  the  settlement  had  increased 
more  rapidly  than  many  others. 

Between  the  years  1660-  1664,  the  city  of  New  Amsterdam  grew  in  a 
ratio  greatly  exceeding  that  of  any  previous  period.  Business  of  all  kinds 
was  brisk.  New  settlers  came  and  the  old  ones  remained.  New  houses 
were  built  and  manufactories  established.  Several  breweries  and  brick 
kilns  were  in  successful  operation.  The  potteries  of  Long  Island  began 
to  be  esteemed  equal  to  those  of  Delft.  Lawyers  were  finding  this 
lucrative  field,  and  among  the  most  prominent  of  these  was  Solomon  La 
Chair.  There  has  recently  been  exhumed,  in  the  county  clerk's  office  of 
the  City  Hall,  a  written  volume  of  some  three  hundred  pages,  which  is  a 
careful  minute  of  La  Chair's  legal  proceedings,  and  a  curious  relic  of  that 
early  period.  He  was  a  good  English,  as  well  as  French  and  Dutch, 
scholar,  and  often  acted  as  interpreter  before  the  courts.  He  had  at  com- 
mand a  large  law  library,  as  evidenced  by  the  numerous  quotations  in  his 
written  arguments.  The  magistrates  of  Gravesend  employed  him,  in 
opposition  to  Mr.  Opdyck,  to  prosecute  their  claim  to  Coney  Island. 

The  accompanying  map  is  the  only  plan  of  the  city  during  the  Dutch 
era  which  is  known  to  exist.  It  is  presumed  that  the  English  officers 
found  it  after  the  capture,  and  gave  to  it  its  present  shape,  adding  the 
date,  1664.  It  fell  into  the  British  Museum,  where  it  remained  in 
obscurity  until  a  few  years  since,  when  it  was  rescued  by  George  H. 
Moore,  the  librarian  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society.  The  outlines 
of  the  streets,  though  apparently  drawn  without  measurement,  seem  to 
follow  the  proper  directions,  and  the  general  character  of  the  buildings 
is  given  without  any  special  attempt  at  accuracy.  But  the  map  itself  is 
a  curious  memorial,  worthy  of  tender  preservation. 


THE  QUAKERS. 


199 


About  the  time  it  was  issued  (1661),  a  fresh  effort  was  made  to  assure 
discontented  Puritans  and  other  Englishmen  that  they  would  be  welcomed 
and  cherished  by  the  Dutch  in  New  Netherland.  The  States-General 
caused  a  proclamation  of  "  conditions  and  privileges "  to  be  scattered 
through  the  British  kingdom,1  appended  to  which  was  a  glowing  descrip- 
tion of  the  country  "only  six  weeks'  sail  from  Holland, .  .  .  land  fertile, . . . 
climate  the  best  in  the  world ; . . .  seed  may  be  committed  to  the  soil 
without  preparation,  .  .  .  timber  and  wild  fruit  of  all  descriptions,  furs, 
game,  fisheries,"  etc.,  etc.  The  picture  was  attractive.  It  enlisted  atten- 
tion in  various  quarters.  Among  the  first  who  came  to  look  at  the 
country,  with  a  view  to  investment  and  permanent  settlement,  was  Hon. 
Eobert  Treat  and  Hon.  Benjamin  Fenn,  as  delegates  from  New  Haven. 
That  little  republic  was  in  high  dudgeon  at  the  prospect  of  annexation  to 
Connecticut,  and  seriously  contemplated  flying  from  her  impending  fate. 
Stuyvesant  courteously  entertained  the  gentlemen  at  his  own  house,  and 
took  them  in  his  barge  to  the  shores  of  Newark  Bay,  where  they  spent 
some  time  in  exploration,  and  finally  negotiated  terms  by  which  the 
colony  might  remove  bodily  to  that  desirable  locality.  Events  followed 
rapidly,  however,  which  induced  New  Haven  to  throw  herself  into  the 
arms  of  Connecticut  for  protection. 

The  invitation  to  "  persons  of  tender  conscience  "  to  come  freely  into 
New  Netherland,  by  no  means  referred  to  the  Quakers.  These  were  still 
heartlessly  persecuted.  A  Quaker  divine  having  stopped  on  Long  Island, 
at  the  residence  of  Henry  Townsend,  the  fact  was  soon  known  among  the 
neighbors.  The  report  reached  Stuyvesant  that  a  "  conventicle  "  had 
actually  been  held  in  Mr.  Townsend's  parlor.  Presently,  soldiers  appeared 
and  arrested  Mr.  Townsend  and  all  who  attended  the  meeting,  and  a 
strong  guard  was  placed  over  the  infected  district.  Quaker  meetings 
were  held  secretly  in  Flushing,  the  headquarters  of  the  sect  being  at  the 
house  of  John  Bowne,  who  was  accused  and  arrested,  and,  for  refusal  to 
pay  his  fine,  shipped  to  Holland,  as  a  terror  to  evil-doers.  John  Tilton 
and  his  wife  Goodie  Tilton,  of  Gravesend,  persisted  in  their  heresies; 
and  were  peremptorily  ordered  to  quit  the  province.  These  rigorous 
measures  were  followed  by  a  proclamation  from  the  governor,  forbidding 
the  exercise  of  any  but  the  Beformed  religion  "  in  houses,  barns,  ships, 
yachts,  woods,  or  fields,"  under  heavy  penalties.  The  Amsterdam  Cham- 
ber wrote  to  Stuyvesant  shortly  after,  that,  although  it  was  their  prefer- 
ence that  "  sectarians  "  should  not  be  found  in  the  province,  yet  it  was 
not  well  to  check  population.  "  You  had  better  let  every  one  remain 
free,"  they  said,  "  as  long  as  he  is  modest,  moderate,  his  political  conduct 

1  O'Callaghan,  II.  443-452. 


200 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


irreproachable,  and  he  does  not  offend  others  or  oppose  the  govern- 
ment." 

Indian  disturbances  at  the  North  kept  Stuyvesant  almost  constantly  on 
the  wing,  passing  to  and  from  Albany.  In  1662,  he  met  delegates  from 
New  England  at  Fort  Orange,  and  an  "  accommodation  "  was  effected  with 
the  Mohawks  and  Oneidas  by  which  they  liberated  a  few  French  and 
English  captives.  But  Canada  was  threatened,  and  the  danger  was  only 
stayed,  not  averted. 

In  1663,  a  severe  shock  of  earthquake  was  felt  in  New  Amsterdam,  all 
alony  the  Hudson  Kiver,  in  Connecticut,  Massachusetts,  Acadia, 

1663. 

and  Canada.  It  was  followed  by  a  terrible  freshet,  which  de- 
stoyed  the  harvests  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Orange,  and  inundated 
many  other  portions  of  the  country.  Upon  the  heels  of  this  calamity, 
the  small-pox  made,  its  appearance  and  spread  with  fearful  rapidity.1 
The  good  Puritans  of  New  England  declared,  that,  "  the  hand  of  God 
had  gone  out  against  the  people  of  New  Netherland  by  pestilential  infec- 
tions." 

In  the  midst  of  the  panic  in  New  Amsterdam,  news  came  which 
caused  the  cheek  to  blanch  and  the  blood  to  stand  still.  A  horri- 
'  ble  massacre  had  occurred  at  Esopus.  On  the  morning  of  June  7, 
just  after  the  men  had  gone  to  their  work  in  the  fields,  a  large  number  of 
Indians  sauntered  carelessly  into  the  village  and  tried  to  sell  some  beans. 
Fifteen  minutes  later,  a  horseman  rode  at  full  speed  down  the  road, 
shouting  that  the  Indians  were  setting  fire  to  the  houses.  Instantly  the 
war-whoop  was  raised,  shots  were  heard  in  every  direction,  and  battle- 
axes  and  tomahawks  flashed  in  the  sunlight.  Women  and  children  were 
butchered  in  the  most  shocking  manner.  Many  were  left  wounded  and 
dying,  and  forty-five  were  carried  into  captivity.  The  men  rallied  with 
desperate  energy,  and,  though  poorly  armed,  succeeded  eventually  in 
driving  the  savages  into  the  woods.  But  what  a  sight  was  there  !  Twelve 
houses  in  the  old,  and  every  house  in  the  new,  village  were  mere  heaps 
of  smouldering  rubbish ;  husbands  were  standing  over  murdered  wives ; 
and  fathers  were  trying  to  identify  the  bodies  of  children  who  had  been 
burned  alive. 

Stuyvesant,  having  hastily  called  for  volunteers,  sent  to  the  relief  of 
the  sufferers  an  armed  force,  commanded  by  Martin  Cregier  and  Pieter 
Van  Couwenhoven.  They  pursued  the  savages  for  a  long  distance 
through  the  wilderness,  finding  a  guide  in  the  person  of  Mrs.  Dr.  Van 
Imbroeck,  the  daughter  of  Dr.  La  Montagne,  who  had  been  one  of  the 
captives  on  the  day  of  the  massacre,  but  who  had  escaped  from  her 

1  About  one  thousand  Indians  died  of  small-pox,  among  the  Mohawks  alone, 


THE  INDIAN  WAR  OF  1668. 


201 


captors  and  succeeded  in  finding  her  way  back  to  the  settlement.  She 
conducted  the  party  to  the  Indian  castle  where  she  last  saw  the  warriors ; 
but  it  was  vacant.  After  using  it  as  a  shelter  from  a  heavy  rain-storm, 
the  pursuers  went  on,  through  dense  forests,  over  high  hills,  and  across 
deep  rivers,  until  they  overtook  the  flying  foe,  and  engaged  them  in  a 
severe  battle  which  resulted  in  the  recovery  of  twenty-three  prisoners. 
But  the  war  did  not  end  here.  Other  expeditions  were  planned  and 
executed,  and  ancient  treaties  were  renewed  with  the  neighboring  tribes. 
Still  there  was  no  peace.  Out-settlers  hurried  to  the  forts  and  held 
regular  watch,  day  and  night ;  and  parties  of  soldiers  scoured  the  woods 
all  along  the  Hudson  from  Rensselaerswick  to  Manhattan.  "  Nothing  is 
talked  of,"  said  Jeremias  Van  Kensselaer,  in  one  of  his  letters,  "  but  the 
Indians  and  the  war."    Late  in  the  autumn,  an  "armistice  "  was 

Oct  9 

agreed  upon  by  the  Esopus  tribes,  and  all  except  three  of  the 
prisoners  were  restored  to  their  friends. 

Lord  Baltimore,  in  the  mean  time,  had  resorted  to  various  methods  to 
obtain  control  of  the  Soutli  River  territory.  His  son,  Charles  Calvert, 
came  over  and  visited  the  region,  with  a  suite  of  twenty-seven  persons, 
and  was  entertained,  during  his  stay  on  the  South  River,  by  William 
Beekman,  who  was  governor  of  the  Dutch  colony.  The  latter  tried  to 
discuss  the  matter  of  boundaries,  but  the  young  nobleman  maintained  an 
attitude  of  non-committal,  and  to  all  arguments  replied  that  he  would 
communicate  with  Lord  Baltimore.    At  last,  a  transfer  was  made 

Dec  3. 

hy  the  West  India  Company  of  all  their  interests  on  the  South 
River  to  the  city  of  Amsterdam.  De  Hinoyossa  was  appointed  governor 
by  the  burgomasters  and  schepens  ;  and  he  soon  arrived,  accompanied  by 
one  hundred  colonists.  Beekman  was  made  sheriff  at  Esopus,  in  which 
office,  he  continued  until  the  close  of  Lovelace's  administration,  when  he 
returned  to  New  York. 

The  West  India  Company  was  at  this  time  laboring  under  great  pecu- 
niary depression.  Its  outlay  for  the  province  of  New  Netherland,  over 
and  above  its  receipts,  exceeded  ten  tons  of  gold ;  and  the  province  itself 
was  threatened,  from  the  North  and  the  South,  by  a  foreign  power.  Seeing 
no  hope  of  obtaining  in  Europe  a  settlement  of  the  limits  bet  ween  New 
Netherland  and  New  England,  the  directors  wrote  to  Stuyvesant,  to  see 
what  arrangement  he  could  effect  in  America.  He  accordin<>lv  made 

°  6  J  Sept.  6. 

a  journey  to  Boston,  to  meet  the  commissioners  who  had  agreed  to 
the  treaty  of  1G50.    He  asked  them  if  they  considered  the  agreement  still 
in  force.   They  were  evasive.   They  talked  about  the  king's  rights  and  the 
Connecticut  charter.    They  suggested  that  the  whole  controversy  should 
undergo  a  hearing  the  next  year,  after  advices  had  been  received  from 


202 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


England.  The  Connecticut  delegates  were  triumphant,  having  obtained 
delay.  Winthrop  was  able  to  predict  with  tolerable  accuracy  the  final 
action  of  the  English  government,  while  Stuyvesant  was  perplexed  by 
the  extraordinary  events  which  were  taking  place  about  him.  He  pro- 
posed a  continuation  of  trade,  and  an  alliance  offensive  and  defensive 
against  the  savages,  which  was  submitted  to  the  General  Courts 

Sept  23 

of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut.  He  returned  to  New  Am- 
sterdam, much  chagrined  at  the  meager  result  of  his  mission.  On  his 
arrival,  he  found  Long  Island  in  a  great  ferment.  The  messenger  who 
had  attempted  to  read  to  the  people  of  Gravesend  an  announcement  that 
"  they  were  no  longer  under  the  Dutch  government,  but  under  that  of 
Connecticut,"  had  been  arrested  and  conveyed  to  the  city.  The  next 
night,  the  sheriff's  house  had  been  ransacked  by  a  mob  of  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men ;  he  had  escaped  in  the  darkness  to  the  house  of  his 
son-in-law  and  from  there  to  New  Amsterdam,  where  he  had  been 
Sept.  26.  commen(je(j  for      prompt  action  by  the  administration. 

Three  days  later,  Sergeant  Hubbard  was  busy  getting  signatures 
Sept.  29.  ^  ^  petition  to  the  General  Court  at  Hartford,  in  which,  after  a 
setting  forth  of  the  inconveniences  "  that  doe  much  trouble  us,"  is  the 
following  passage  : 

"  As  we  ar  alruddy  according  to  our  best  information  under  the  scurts 
of  your  patten,  so  you  would  be  pleased  to  cast  over  us  the  scurts  of  your 
government  and  protecktion." 

This  was  signed  by  Robert  Coe,  John  Strickland,  Zachariah  Walker, 
Thomas  Benedict,  Thomas  Benedict,  Jr.,  and  twenty-one  others.1  Thomas 
Benedict2  was  one  of  the  bearers  of  the  document  to  Hartford.  He  was 
well  known  and  highly  esteemed  by  Winthrop  and  his  council ;  indeed, 
he  was  considered  the  main  support  of  the  cause  of  Connecticut  on  Long 

1  Towns  and  Lands,  I.  18,  in  the  Secretary  of  State's  office,  Hartford.  O'Callaghan,  II. 
486.    Benedict  Genealogy,  9  -12. 

2  Thomas  Benedict  was  from  Nottinghamshire,  England.  He  came  to  New  England  in 
1638,  when  only  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  married  a  young  Englishwoman  who  came  over 
in  the  same  vessel  with  him.  He  soon  sought  the  smiling  regions  of  Long  Island,  and  took 
up  his  abode  at  Jamaica.  He  became  a  man  of  distinction  among  the  men  of  the  period.  He 
was  a  magistrate,  the  officer  of  a  little  train  band  in  the  neighborhood,  a  pillar  in  the  church, 
the  arbitrator  of  differences  between  the  settlers  and  the  Indians,  one  of  the  legislative  body  to 
create  and  codify  the  system  of  law  on  Long  Island  after  its  conquest  from  the  Dutch,  and, 
subsequently,  a  member  of  the  Colonial  Assembly.  He  removed  to  Norwalk,  Connecticut, 
in  1665,  and  took  an  active  and  prominent  part  in  the  affairs  of  that  ancient  town.  He  died 
at  the  latter  place  in  1689.  He  was  the  ancestor  of  a  large  and  influential  family,  about 
whom,  in  every  generation  since,  all  sorts  of  offices  in  church  and  state  have  clustered,  and 
have  been  honorably  and  usefully  filled.  Among  the  eminent  representatives  of  the  family 
iu  New  York,  at  the  present  day,  is  the  Hon.  Eraatus  C.  Benedict. 


THE  EMBASSY  TO  CONNECTICUT. 


203 


Island.  He  urged  the  adoption  of  measures  for  the  reduction  of  the 
Dutch  towns. 

Stuyvesant  sent  commissioners  at  once  to  Connecticut,  to  enter,  if 
possible,  into  some  boundary  accommodation.  The  gentlemen  chosen  for 
this  mission  were  Secretary  Van  Euyven,  Burgomaster  Oloff  S.  Van 
Cortlandt,  and  John  Lawrence.  Money  was  wanted.  Indeed,  the  press- 
ing necessities  of  the  government  induced  the  governor  to  draw  upon 
the  company  for  four  thousand  guilders ;  but  no  one  could  be  found  will- 
ing to  cash  the  draft  until  he  pledged  four  of  the  brass  guns  of  the  fort 
as  security.    The  commissioners  went  in  a  small  vessel  to  Milford, 

Oct  15. 

and  thence  on  horseback  to  Hartford.  They  called  upon  Win- 
throp,  who  was  polite,  but  not  communicative.  They  made  known  their 
errand  to  the  General  Court,  which  appointed  a  committee  to  confer  with 
them.  They  stated  their  case.  The  committee  sheltered  themselves 
behind  the  royal  patent,  and  said  they  knew  of  no  New  Netherland  prov- 
ince !  The  gentlemen  from  New  Netherland  offered  to  show  the  charter 
of  the  West  India  Company.  The  committee  said  that  this  was  only  a 
charter  of  commerce,  and  that  its  limits  were  conditional.  The  retort 
was,  that  the  right  to  the  territory  lay  with  the  States-General,  on  the 
ground  of  discovery,  purchase  from  the  Indians,  possession,  etc.  The 
committee  denied  that  right,  and  said  that  it  was  their  duty  to  make  the 
king's  grant  known.  "  How  then  are  we  to  regard  the  treaty  of  1650  ?  " 
was  asked.    "  As  of  no  force  whatever,"  was  the  reply. 

The  commissioners  were  nonplussed.  They  began  to  suspect  a  "  wheel 
within  a  wheel  "  ;  that  the  powers  beyond  the  seas  were  working  mischief 
in  some  mysterious  way ;  that  bloodshed  was  lurking  at  their  very  doors. 
To  prevent  the  latter,  they  resolved  to  propose  that,  if  Connecticut  would 
refrain  from  assuming  any  jurisdiction  over  the  English  settlements  on 
Long  Island  until  the  fcing  and  the  States-General  should  agree  on  a  boun- 
dary line,  New  Netherland  would  abandon  all  control  over  Westchester. 
The  Hartford  committee  declined  to  agree  to  this  ;  but,  after  a  long  and 
excited  debate,  they  offered  to  refrain  for  twelve  months  from  exercising 
authority  over  the  specified  Long  Island  towns,  provided  the  Dutch 
did  not  attempt  any  coercive  power  over  them  ;  but  Westchester  and 
Stamford  must  remain  under  Connecticut. 

The  commissioners,  upon  their  return,  found  Stuyvesant  seriously 
alarmed.  "  What  shall  I  do  ? "  he  asked  in  despair.  "  Our  treasury  is  ex- 
hausted, Long  Island  in  revolt,  and  the  Esopus  war  not  ended  ! "  Seventy 
or  eighty  men  had  actually  been  in  arms,  marching  from  village  to  village 
on  Long  Island,  in  some  instances  changing  the  names  of  the  places,  and 

threatening  the  Dutch  with  extermination.    He  did  not  hesitate,  but  sent 
13 


204 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Vice-Governor  De  Sille,  with  a  posse  of  soldiers,  to  check  the  rebellion,  and 
wrote  to  Winthrop,  accepting  the  proposition  in  regard  to  a  mutual  for- 
bearance of  jurisdiction  for  twelve  months.  Shortly  after,  he  heard  that 
twenty  New-Englanders  had  gone  to  the  Raritan  River,  to  buy  land  of 
the  Indians.  He  sent  Martin  Cregier,  Govert  Loockermans,  and  Jacques 
Cortelyou,  with  a  few  soldiers,  in  hot  haste,  to  warn  the  sachems  and  pre- 
vent the  sale. 

"  You  are  a  band  of  traitors,  and  you  act  against  the  government  of  the 
state,"  said  Loockermans,  with  dignity. 

"Your  government!"  was  the  contemptuous  response,  "the  king's 
patent  is  of  quite  another  cast." 

On  the  2d  of  November,  a  convention  was  summoned  which  adopted 
a  stern  remonstrance,  to  be  forwarded  to  Holland.    It  charged  the 

Nov  2.  ...  ... 

responsibility  of  the  disastrous  condition  of  the  province  upon  the 
West  India  Company,  who  seemed  to  be  losing  sight  altogether  of  their 
own  best  interests.  "  Why  do  you  not  settle  the  boundary  question  ?  " 
asked  Stuy  vesant,  in  a  private  letter  to  the  directors.  "  Why  is  not  your 
original  charter  solemnly  confirmed  by  a  public  act  of  the  States-General 
under  their  great  seal  ?  Why  are  we  left  to  fight  your  battles  without 
any  legal  papers  or  patents  by  which  we  can  respond  to  English  imper- 
tinence ? " 

In  December,  Scott  returned  to  America,  bearing  royal  letters,  recom- 
mending him  to  the  New  England  governments.  Connecticut 

1664 

gave  him  the  powers  of  a  magistrate  over  Long  Island,  and  Win- 
throp administered  the  oath  of  office.  He  proceeded  to  his  field,  and  im- 
mediately commenced  the  missionary  work  of  "  freeing  those  who  had 
been  enslaved  by  the  cruel  and  rapacious  Dutch."  He  announced  that 
Long  Island  was  about  to  be  given  by  the  king  to  his  brother  the  Duke  of 
York,  henceforth  to  be  an  independent  government,  and  that,  until  then, 

he  was  to  act  as  President.    He  raised  a  force  of  one  hundred  and 

Jan.  11. 

seventy  men,  to  assist  in  the  reduction  of  the  Dutch  villages.  He 
proceeded  from  place  to  place,  haranguing  the  people,  and  making  unsuc- 
cessful efforts  to  establish  his  authority.  In  Breuckelen,  he  was  jeered 
and  insulted.  In  a  fit  of  anger,  he  struck  Martin  Cregier's  son,  a  bright 
boy  of  thirteen  years,  over  the  head  with  his  whip,  for  refusing  to  take 
off  his  hat  to  the  royal  flag. 

Stuy  vesant  sent  Van  Ruy  ven,  Van  Cortlaudt,  and  Cregier  to  Jamaica  to 

treat  with  Scott,  and  they  were  coolly  informed  that  "  the  Duke  of 
Jan.  14.  york  wag  SOQn  j.Q  p0Sgess  himself  of  the  whole  of  New  Nether- 
land  " !    Upon  their  return,  measures  for  defense  were  at  once  discussed. 
The  city  offered  to  appropriate  its  revenues  towards  the  expense,  and  to 


HON.  JE RE  MI  AS  VAN  RENSSELAER. 


205 


raise  a  loan  besides.  The  State  government  would  do  what  it  could,  but 
it  was  drifting  into  bankruptcy. 

The  confusion  on  Long  Island  continued,  and,  at  last,  Stuyvesant  went 


Portrait  of  Hon.  Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer. 


over  to  hold  a  personal  interview  with  Scott.  The  latter,  though  a 
man  of  much  boldness,  possessed  little  principle.  He  had  been 
an  officer  in  the  army  of  Charles  I.,-  but  was  arrested  for  cut-Mar°h3' 
ting  the  girths  of  some  of  the  Parliamentary  horses,  and  was  not  only 
lined  £500,  but  also  banished  to  New  England.  Stuyvesant  was  at- 
tended by  Van  Cortlandt,  John  Lawrence,  Jacob  Backer,  and  a  military 
escort.    Scott  was  surrounded  by  delegates  from  some  of  the  English 


206 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


April  10. 


towns,  among  whom  were  Daniel  Denton,  John  Underhill,  and  Adam 
Mott.  The  result  was  only  a  conditional  arrangement,  by  which  the 
principal  English  towns  on  Long  Island  were  to  remain  under  the  king 
without  molestation  for  twelve  months,  to  afford  opportunity  for  settle- 
ment in  Europe. 

By  request  of  the  burgomasters  and  schepens  of  New  Amsterdam,  a 
Landtdag,  or  Diet,  was  called,  which  assembled  in  the  City  Hall 
'on  the  10th  of  April,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  into  consideration 
the  precarious  condition  of  the  province,  The  delegates  from  New 
Amsterdam  were  Burgomaster  Cornells  Steenwyck  and  Schepen  Jacob 
Backer ;  from  Bensselaerswiek,  Director  Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer  and 
Attorney  Van  Schelluyne ;  from  Fort  Orange,  Jan  Verbeck  and  Gerrit 
Van  Slechtenhorst ;  from  Breuckelen,  William  Bredenbent  and  Albert 
Cornells  Wantenaar ;  from  Flatbush,  Jan  Strycker  and  William  Guil- 
liams ;  from  Esopus,  Thomas  Chambers  and  Dr.  Van  Imbroeck ;  from 
Flatlands,  Elbert  Elbertsen  and  Coert  Stevensen ;  from  New  Utrecht, 
David  Jochemsen  and  Cornells  Beekman  ;  from  Boswyck,  Jan  Van  Cleef 
and  Guisbert  Teunissen ;  from  New  Haerlem,  Daniel  Terneur  and  Jo- 
hannes Verveeler ;  from  Bergen,  Englebert  Steenhuysen  and  Herman 
Smeeman ;  from  Staten  Island,  David  De  Marest  and  Pierre  Billou. 

The  first  question  which  agitated  this  august  .assemblage  was  that  of 
the  presidency.  New  Amsterdam  claimed  the  honor,  as  the  capital; 
Rensselaerswick,  as  the  oldest  colony.  The  right  of  the  latter  was 
finally  admitted,  and  Hon.  Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer  took  the  chair.  The 
convention  next  demanded  protection  of  the  government  against  both 
barbarian  and  civilized  foes  ;  and,  if  such  protection  could  not  be 
afforded,  it  desired  to  be  informed  "  to  whom  the  people  should 
address  themselves."  Stuyvesant  answered,  with  dignity  and  subtle 
sarcasm,  that 
he  had  done  all 
and  more  than 
his  means  per- 
ni  i  1 1  e  d,  and 
that  the  object 
of  the  conven- 
tion was  to 
consult,  and 
not  to  dispute, 
as  to  the  best 

method  of  raising  men  and  money  to  meet  the  emergency.  The  delegates 
apologized,  saying,  they  wished  only  to  know  whether  their  application 


April  11. 


Autograph  of  Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer. 


THE  CONVENTION  OF  1664- 


207 


should  be  addressed  to  the  West  India  Company  or  the  States-General. 
Stuyvesant  accepted  the  explanation,  and  proceeded  to  define  the  busi- 
ness before  the  gentlemen  assembled.  He  said  New  Netherland  had 
never  contributed  to  her  own  support  or  defense.  He  proposed  a  tax  on 
mills  and  cattle,  and  the  enrollment  of  every  sixth  man  in  the  province 
on  the  militia.  To  this  the  convention  would  not  assent,  but  prepared 
an  appeal  to  the  company  for  the  necessary  aid. 

Before  it  was  sent,  a  vessel  arrived,  bringing  letters  from  Europe. 
Stuyvesant  was  informed  that  soldiers  were  on  the  way  from  Holland  ; 
and  he  was  instructed  to  exterminate  the  Esopus  Indians,  and  to  check 
the  arrogance  of  the  English  on  Long  Island.  The  States-General  had 
actually  issued  under  their  great  seal  a  patent  confirming  the  charter  of 
the  West  India  Company,  —  an  important  movement,  had  it  come  a  little 
earlier.    The  convention,  which  had  adjourned  for  a  week,  came 

April  22. 

together  once  more.    But  it  was  not  in  favor  of  an  attempt  to  re- 
duce the  English  towns.      Let  me  assure  you,"  said  Cornelis  Beekman, 
"  that  the  English  rebels  are  as  six  to  one,  and  that  it  would  be  impossible 
to  subdue  them.    Connecticut  would  come  to  their  help  and  massacre 
us  all." 

As  for  the  Indians,  they  were  apparently  humbled.  Three  sachems 
were,  at  that  moment,  in  New  Amsterdam  suing  for  peace.  It  was  wise 
to  treat  with  them.  The  result  was  a  general  treaty,  concluded  in 
the  Council  Chamber  on  the  15th  of  May.  There  were  present  a 
large  number  of  chiefs  ;  Governor  Stuyvesant,  in  full  robes  of  state,  with 
Vice-Governor  De  Sille  at  his  right  hand ;  Abraham  Wilmerdoncx,  Jr., 
of  the  West  India  Company  ;  Thomas  Chambers,  of  Esopus ;  and,  of  the 
city  magistrates,  Cornelis  Steenwyck,  Paulus  Van  der  Grist,  Martin 
Cregier,  Govert  Loockermans,  Jacob  Backer,  and  Pieter  Van  Couwenhoven. 
Sarah,  the  wife  of  Dr.  Hans  Kiersted,  acted  as  interpreter.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  the  celebrated  Anetje  Jans  Bogardus,  and  was  a  woman  of 
unusual  nerve  and  strength  of  character.  On  many  previous  occasions, 
she  had  filled  the  office  of  interpreter  with  great  satisfaction  to  the 
sachems,  one  of  whom  made  her  a  present  of  a  large  tract  of  land,  near 
the  Hackinsack  River.1 

While  the  people  of  New  Amsterdam  were  thus  engaged,  Connecticut 
had  reached  across  the  Sound  and  spoiled  the  ambitious  projects  of 
President  Scott,  who  was  carried  to  Hartford  and  imprisoned.  Shortly 
after,  when  StuyVesant's  messengers  went  through  the  Long  Island  towns 

1  After  the  death  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Kiersted,  Dr.  Kiersted  married  Januctje  Looekermaus, 
who  died  about  1710.  Dr.  Kiersted  left  five  children,  whose  descendants  are  numerous  and 
influential  at  the  present  day. 


208 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


with  mandatory  letters  from  the  States-General,  they  were  forbidden  to 
read  them,  and  the  documents  were  seized  and  sent  to  Hartford.  Win- 
throp  questioned  their  authenticity.  At  all  events,  he  was  fortified  by 
the  king's  patent.  About  the  same  time,  he  authorized  Thomas  Pell  to 
trade  with  the  Indians  for  all  the  land  between  Westchester  and  the 
North  River,  including  Spuyten  Duyvel  Creek,  which  the  Dutch  had 
bought  and  paid  for,  fifteen  years  before. 

Early  in  June,  news  came  to  the  city  that  Winthrop  was  at  Gravesend, 
and  Stuyvesant,  accompanied  by  Secretary  Van  Ruyven  and  sev- 
eral other  prominent  gentlemen,  went  over  to  meet  him.  Win- 
throp was  very  courtly  and  cold,  and  insisted  that  the  English  title  was 
indisputable  ;  so  that  the  interview  was  without  any  favorable  results. 

Meanwhile,  in  spite  of  treaties  and  at  the  risk  of  war,  Charles  and  his 
ministers  had  resolved  to  seize  New  Netherland.  The  first  important 
step  was  to  purchase  Lord  Stirling's  interest  in  Long  Island,  for  which 
Clarendon  agreed  to  pay  three  thousand  five  lfnndred  pounds,  in  behalf 
of  his  son-in-law,  James,  Duke  of  York.  He  then  hastened  to  affix  the 
great  seal  to  a  patent,  by  which  the  king  granted  to  the  Duke  of  York 
"  the  territory  comprehending  Long  Island  and  the  islands  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, and  all  the  lands  and  rivers  from  the  west  side  of  the  Connecti- 
cut Eiver  to  the  east  side  of  Delaware  Bay."  This  included  the  whole  of 
New  Netherland,  and  was  in  utter  disregard  of  the  Connecticut  Charter. 

An  expedition  against  the  Dutch  in  America  was  at  once  ordered,  but 
kept  a  profound  secret,  lest  the  States-General  should  send  a  squadron  to 
aid  their  unprotected  subjects.  The  Duke  of  York,  who  had  been  ap- 
pointed Lord  High  Admiral  of  the  British  dominions,  was  to  manage  the 
enterprise.  He  borrowed  of  the  king  four  war-vessels,  on  which  he 
embarked  four  hundred  and  fifty  well-trained  soldiers,  under  the 

April  2 

'  command  of  Colonel  Richard  Nicolls,  the  groom  of  his  bedcham- 
ber, who  was  .also  commissioned  as  governor  of  the  yet  unpossessed  terri- 
tory. Among  the  commissioned  officers  serving  under  Nicolls,  were 
Matthias  Nicolls,  Daniel  Brodhead,  Robert  Needham,  Harry  Norwood, 
and  Sylvester  Salisbury,  some  of  whom  were  accompanied  by  their 
families.1  A  commission,  consisting  of  Colonel  Nicolls,  Sir  Robert  Carr, 
Sir  George  Cartwright,  and  Samuel  Maverick,  were  empowered  to  atteud 
to  the  general  welfare  of  the  colonies,  settle  boundaries,  etc.  The  fleet 
sailed  from  Portsmouth  about  the  middle  of  May.2 

1  Matthias  Nicolls  settled  on  Long  Island  ;  Daniel  Hrodhead  and  Sylvester  Salisbury,  in 
Ulster  County,  New  York.  Their  descendants  are  very  numerous,  and  rank  among  the  best 
families  in  this  country. 

a  Col.  Doc.,  II.  243-501  ;  III.  66.  Mass.  H.  S.  Coll.,  XXXVI.  527.  Pcpys,  IV.  353. 
Clarke' s  James  II,  I.  400.    Valentine's  Manual  592.    Smith,  I.  16.     Wood,  144. 

Brodhead,  II.  21. 


UNFRIENDLY  EXPEDITION. 


209 


The  first  intimation  New  Amsterdam  received  of  these  hostile  designs 
was  through  Eichard  Lord,  of  Lyme,  a  merchant,  who  was  sending  vessels 
to  both  Boston  and  New  Amsterdam.  He  heard  of  it  in  the  former 
place  and  communicated  the  fact  to  Thomas  Willett,  with  whom  he  was 
doing  business.  Willett  hastened  to  Stuyvesant,  and,  within  an  hour,  the 
burgomasters  and  schepens  were  in  close  council  with  the  brave  old 
soldier,  devising  plans  for  fortifying  the  city.  Some  vessels  on  the  point 
of  sailing  for  Curacoa  were  countermanded,  and  agents  were  sent  hurriedly 
to  New  Haven  to  buy  provisions.  Men  were  stationed  at  Westchester 
and  Milford,  to  act  the  part  of  spies,  and  announce  the  approach  of  the 
enemy,  who  were  expected  by  way  of  the  Sound.  A  loan  of  money  was 
obtained  from  Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer,  and  a  quantity  of  powder  was 
secured  from  New  Amstel.  At  this  critical  moment,  when  every  hour 
was  more  precious  than  gold,  a  dispatch  from  the  Amsterdam  Chamber 
to  Stuyvesant  declared  that  no  danger  from  England  need  be  appre- 
hended, —  that  the  king  had  only  sent  some  frigates  to  introduce  Episco- 
pacy into  New  England. 

Confidence  was  thus  restored,  and  the  Curac_oa  vessels  were  permitted 
to  depart.  Mischievous  quarrels  among  the  Indians  to  the  North 
induced  Stuyvesant  to  take  a  trip  to  Fort  Orange.  He  had  Aug' 6 
reached  his  destination  and  entered  upon  the  work  of  reconciling  the 
savages,  when  an  express  followed  him  to  say  that  the  English  squadron 
was  actually  on  the  way  from  Boston  to  New  Amsterdam.  He  hurried 
home,  arriving  only  three  days  before  the  English  banners  floated  over 
the  bay,  just  below  the  Narrows.  One  of  his  first  acts  was  to  set  all  his 
own  negro  slaves  and  hired  workmen  at  his  farm  thrashing 

Aug  29. 

grain  night  and  day,  and  carting  it  to  the  fort.  Three  weeks  had 
been  lost  in  false  security ;  the  city,  alas !  was  ill  prepared  to  stand  a 
siege.  The  fort,  and  the  wall  at  Wall  Street,  however  strong  a  defense 
against  the  Indians,  would  avail  positively  nothing  against  a  civilized  foe  ; 
and  there  was  the  exposure  on  two  rivers  !  Four  hundred  men  were  all 
that  could  be  mustered,  to  bear  arms.  Six  hundred  pounds  was  the  max- 
imum of  powder  in  the  fort.  Then,  the  English  inhabitants  were  numer- 
ous and  would  aid  the  king's  forces  ;  and  the  latter,  before  casting  anchor, 
had  cut  off  all  communication  between  the  city  and  Long  Island,  and  had 
scattered  proclamations  through  the  country,  promising  safe  and  undis- 
turbed possession  of  property  to  all  who  would  quietly  submit  to  the 
government  of  England. 

Stuyvesant  regarded  the  situation  with  dismay.    The  English  were  in 
full  possession  of  the  harbor.    He  hastily  called  in  the  few  soldiers  from 
Esopus  and  other  outposts,  and,  wishing  to  ascertain  the  condition  of 
1* 


210 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


affairs  on  Long  Island,  sent  to  the  English  commander  four  commission- 
ers, representing  the  council  and  the  city,  with  a  letter  inquiring  the  object 
of  his  coming,  and  why  he  remained  so  long  in  the  harbor  without  giving 
due  notice.  Nicolls  replied,  that  he  had  come  to  reduce  the  country  to 
the  obedience  of  the  king  of  England,  whose  commission  he  displayed ; 
and  that  he  would  send  a  letter  to  the  governor  on  the  following  day. 
Saturday  morning,  Sir  George  Cartwright  and  three  other  gentle- 

Aug.  30.  came  to  the  city,  and  were  received  with  a  formal  salute  from 
the  guns  of  the  Battery.  The  interview  was  ceremonious  in  the  extreme. 
They  bore  from  Nicolls  to  Stuyvesant  a  formal  summons  to  surrender  the 
province  of  New  Netherland,  with  all  its  towns,  forts,  etc.,  at  the  same 
time  promising  to  confirm  his  estate,  life,  and  liberty  to  every  man  who 
should  submit  without  opposition  to  the  king's  authority. 

Nicolls  having  omitted  to  sign  this  summons,  it  was  returned  to  the 
delegates,  and  time  thereby  gained.  Stuyvesant  and  his  council  con- 
sulted with  the  city  magistrates.  Stuyvesant  was  determined  upon  de- 
fending his  post  to  the  last,  and  withheld  the  paper  which  contained  the 
terms  of  surrender,  lest  it  should  influence  the  people  to  insist  upon 
capitulation.  The  city  magistrates  were  strongly  in  favor  of  non-resist- 
ance, but  thought  it  well  to  bring  the  city  into  as  fair  a  state  of  defense 
as  possible,  in  order  to  obtain  "good  terms  and  conditions."  Men  worked 
all  day  Sunday  on  the  fortifications,  and  the  officers  of  the  government 
were  in  close  council  for  several  hours.    On  Monday  morning,  a 

sept.  1.  mee^-ng  0f  jjjg  citizens  was  called  at  the  City  Hall,  and  the  bur- 
gomasters stated  publicly  that  they  had  been  denied  a  copy  of  the  sum- 
mons which  Nicolls  had  sent  to  Stuyvesant,  but  explained  the  terms  of 
surrender.  A  loud  clamor  at  once  arose  for  the  paper  itself.  Stuyvesant 
came  to  the  City  Hall  and  attempted  to  explain  the  impossibility  of 
surrender  under  any  circumstances,  the  extreme  displeasure  it  would 
occasion  in  Holland,  the  painful  responsibility  that  was  resting  upon  him, 
etc.,  etc.,  but,  in  the  end,  produced  the  desired  document. 

The  work  of  preparation  continued  through  the  day ;  and  anxiety  and 
excitement  were  everywhere  apparent.    On  Tuesday  morning, 

sept.  2.  Qovernor  "Winthrop,  who  had  joined  the  fleet,  accompanied  by  his 
son  Fitz  John,  Ex-Governor  Willys,  Thomas  Willett,  and  two  Boston  gen- 
tlemen, visited  the  city  in  a  row-boat,  under  a  flag  of  truce.  As  they 
landed  at  the  wharf,  a  salute  was  fired,  and  they  were  conducted  to  the 
nearest  public  house.  Stuyvesant  met  them  with  stately  politeness. 
Winthrop's  mission  was  to  present  a  carefully  written  letter  from  Nicolls 
and  to  use  his  own  utmost  endeavor  to  persuade  the  Dutch  governor  into 
a  peaceful  submission.    There  were  many  courtly  speeches  and  replies 


WINTHROP  S  INTERVIEW  WITH  STUYVESANT.  211 


during  the  interview,  but  Stuyvesant  was  iron-hearted  and  declined 
Winthrop's  urbane  advice.  On  taking  leave,  Winthrop  handed  the  fol- 
lowing letter,  addressed  to  himself,  to  Stuyvesant,  who  read  it  aloud  to 
the  gentlemen  of  his  council  and  the  burgomasters  present ; 

"  Mr.  Winthrop  :  As  to  those  particulars  you  spoke  to  me,  I  do  assure  you 
that  if  the  Manhadoes  be  delivered  up  to  his  Majesty,  I  shall  not  hinder, 
but  any  people  from  the  Netherlands  may  freeiy  come  and  plant  there,  or 
thereabouts  ;  and  such  vessels  of  their  owne  country  may  freely  come  thither, 
and  any  of  them  may  as  freely  returne  home,  in  vessels  of  their  owne  country,  and 
this,  and  much  more,  is  contained  in  the  privilege  of  his  Majesty's  English  sub- 
jects ;  and  thus  much  you  may,  by  what  means  you  please,  assure  the  governor 
from,  Sir,  Your  very  affectionate  servant, 

"  Richard  Nicolls." 

The  burgomasters  asked  permission  to  read  this  letter  to  the  citizens. 
Stuyvesant  pronounced  such  a  course  injudicious  and  refused  his  consent. 
Van  Cortlandt  declared  that  all  which  concerned  the  public  welfare 
ought  to  be  made  public.  High  words  ensued  on  both  sides,  and  finally 
Stuyvesant  in  a  fit  of  passionate  indignation  tore  the  letter  in  pieces. 
Steenwyck,  in  angry  tones,  condemned  the  destruction  of  a  paper  of  so 
much  consequence,  and,  with  the  other  magistrates,  quitted  the  fort.  A 
crowd  had  collected  about  the  City  Hall,  to  learn  how  matters  stood. 
The  news  was  received  with  lowering  brows.  Suddenly  the  work  on  the 
palisades  stopped,  and  three  of  the  principal  citizens  —  not  belonging  to 
the  government  —  appeared  before  the  governor  and  council  and  peremp- 
torily demanded  a  copy  of  the  letter.  They  were  not  disposed  to  parley. 
The  fragments  were  shown  to  them ;  but  no  reasoning  would  satisfy  them. 
They  threatened  —  covertly  at  first,  and  then  openly.  Stuyvesant  hurried 
to  the  City  Hall  and  tried  in  vain  to  quiet  the  raving  multitude.  "  It 
would  be  as  idle  to  attempt  to  defend  the  city  against  so  many  as  to  gape 
before  an  oven,"  was  the  general,  cry.  Some  cursed  the  governor ;  others 
cursed  the  company ;  but  all  united  in  a  demand  for  the  letter.  He 
argued  that  it  did  not  concern  the  commonalty,  but  only  the  officers  of 
the  government.  "  The  letter !  The  letter  ! "  was  the  only  reply.  Ke- 
tiring  from  this  outburst  of  popular  fury,  he  returned  to  the  fort,  and 
Nicholas  Bayard,  his  private  secretary,  having  gathered  the  scattered 
scraps,  made  a  copy  of  the  mutilated  document,  which  was  given  to  the 
burgomasters. 

Meanwhile,  Stuyvesant  had  been  preparing  an  answer  to  the  summons 
of  Nicolls.  It  was  an  overwhelming  argument,  tracing  the  history  of 
New  Netberland  through  all  its  vicissitudes,  and  pointing  out  the  abso- 


212 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


lute  unsoundness  of  the  English  claim.  He  pictured  in  earnest  language 
the  consequences  of  any  violation  of  the  articles  of  peace  so  solemnly- 
agreed  upon  by  Charles  and  the  States-General,  and  warned  the  English 
commander  against  aggression.  He  sent  four  of  his  ablest  advisers  —  two 
from  his  council  and  two  from  the  city  —  to  convey  the  document  to 
Colonel  Nicolls,  and  to  "  argue  the  matter  "  with  him. 

Nicolls  declined  discussion.  He  said  the  question  of  right  did  not  con- 
cern him.  He  must  and  would  take  possession  of  the  place.  If  the 
reasonable  terms  he  offered  were  not  accepted,  he  should  proceed  to 
attack. 

"  On  Thursday,  I  shall  speak  with  you  at  the  Manhattans,"  he  said, 
with  dignity. 

"  Friends  will  be  welcome,  if  they  come  in  a  friendly  manner,"  replied 
one  of  the  delegates. 

"  I  shall  come  with  my  ships  and  soldiers,  and  he  will  be  a  bold  mes- 
senger indeed  who  will  dare  to  come  on  board  and  solicit  terms,"  was  his 
rejoinder. 

"  What,  then,  is  to  be  done  ?  "  was  asked. 

"  Hoist  the  white  flag  of  peace  at  the  fort,  and  I  may  take  something 
into  consideration." 

The  delegates  returned  sadly  to  New  Amsterdam.  Nicolls,  seeing 
that  Stuyvesant  was  not  disposed  to  surrender,  made  preliminary  arrange- 
ments for  storming  the  city.  He  •  called  the  people  of  Long  Island 
together  at  Gravesend,  and  published  the  king's  patent  to  the  Duke  of 
York,  and  his  own  commission,  in  their  presence.  Winthrop  announced, 
on  behalf  of  Connecticut,  that,  as  the  king's  pleasure  was  now  fully  signi- 
fied, the  jurisdiction  which  that  colony  had  claimed  and  exercised  over 
Long  Island  "  ceased  and  became  null."  Nicolls  promised  to  confirm  all 
the  civil  officers  who  had  been  appointed  by  Connecticut,  —  which  gave 
immense  satisfaction.  Volunteers,  to  swell  his  army,  came  from  all  parts 
of  the  island.  Prospects  of  plunder  seem  to  have  entered  largely  into 
their  calculations.  The  citizens  of  New  Amsterdam  regarded  them  as 
their  deadly  enemies ;  and  well  they  might,  at  this  juncture,  for  threats 
and  curses  filled  the  air,  and  rovers  talked  openly  of  "  where  the  young 
women  lived  who  wore  chains  of  gold." 

The  volunteers  were  encamped  just  below  Breuckelen,  to  be  ready  to 

storm  the  city  by  land.    Nicolls  sent  a  few  of  his  troops  to  join  them. 

It  was  rumored  that  six  hundred  Northern  savages  and  one  hundred 

and  fifty  Frenchmen  had  re-unforced  the  English  forces  against 
Sept.  b.  J  "  ° 

the  Dutch.    On  the  morning  of  September  5th,  Nicolls  came  up 

under  full  sail,  and  anchored  between  the  fort  and  Governor's  Island. 


THE  CRISIS. 


213 


The  crisis  had  come.  New  Amsterdam,  with  its  population  of  fifteen 
hundred  souls,  was  "encircled  round  about,"  without  any  means  of 
deliverance.  "  It  is  a  matter  of  desperation  rather  than  soldiership  to 
attempt  to  hold  the  fort,"  said  Vice-Governor  De  Sille. 

Stuyvesant  stood  in  one  of  the  angles  of  the  fort,  near  where  the  gun- 
ner held  a  burning  match,  awaiting  the  order  to  fire  at  the  approaching 
vessels.  He  had  been  expostulated  with  by  one  and  another,  who  saw 
only  infatuation  and  ruin  in  resisting  a  foe  with  such  extraordinary  ad- 
vantage in  point  of  numbers  ;  but  to  all  he  had  answered,  with  emphasis, 
"  I  must  act  in  obedience  to  orders."  "  It  is  madness,"  said  Dominie 
Megapolensis,  laying  his  hand  lovingly  upon  the  governor's  shoulder. 
"  Do  you  not  see  that  there  is  no  help  for  us  either  to  the  north  or  to 
the  south,  to  the  east  or  to  the  west  ?  What  will  our  twenty  guns  do 
in  the  face  of  the  sixty -two  which  are  pointed  towards  us  on  yonder 
frigates  ?    Pray,  do  not  be  the  first  to  shed  blood  ! " 

Just  then,  a  paper  was  brought  to  Stuyvesant  signed  by  ninety-three 
of  the  principal  citizens,  including  the  burgomasters  and  schepens,  and 
his  own  son,  Balthazar,  urging  with  manly  arguments  that  he  would  not 
doom  the  city  to  ashes  and  spill  innocent  blood,  as  it  was  evident  the 
sacrifice  could  avail  nothing  in  the  end.  He  read  the  appeal  with  white 
lips,  and  with  unspeakable  sorrow  expressed  in  every  feature.  His  only 
remark  was,  "  I  had  rather  be  carried  to  my  grave."  Five  minutes  later, 
the  white  flag  waved  above  the  fort. 

Arrangements  were  immediately  made  for  a  meeting,  to  agree  upon 
articles  of  capitulation.  The  time  was  eight  o'clock,  on  Saturday  morn- 
Ing  ;  the  place,  Stuyvesant's  country-house  at  the  farm.  Colonel 
Nicolls  appointed  his  two  colleagues,  Sir  Eobert  Can  and  Sir  Sept" 6' 
George  Carteret,  and  the  New  England  gentlemen,  Governor  Winthrop 
and  Ex-Governor  Willys  of  Connecticut,  and  John  Pinchon  and  Thomas 
Clarke  of  Boston,  as  his  commissioners.  Stuyvesant  selected  Hon.  John 
De  Decker,  Hon.  Nicholas  Varlett,  and  Dominie  Megapolensis  from  his 
council,  to  represent  the  province,  and  Cornelis  Steenwyck,  Oloff  S.  Van 
Cortlandt,  and  Jacques  Cousseau,  to  represent  the  city.  The  proclama- 
tion and  the  reiterated  promises  of  Nicolls  formed  the  basis  of  the 
twenty-four  articles  which  were  carefully  and  intelligently  discussed  on 
that  momentous  occasion.  The  Dutch  citizens  were  guaranteed  security 
in  their  property,  customs,  conscience,  and  religion.  Intercourse  with 
Holland  was  to  continue  as  before  the  coming  of  the  English.  Public 
buildings  and  public  records  were  to  be  respected,  and  all  civil  officers 
were  to  remain  in  power  until  the  customary  time  for  a  new  election. 
The  articles  of  capitulation  were  to  be  ratified  by  Nicolls  and  delivered 


214 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


to  Stuyvesant  by  eight  o'clock  on  Monday  morning,  at  the  "  old  mill," 
on  the  shore  of  the  East  River,  near  the  foot  of  Roosevelt  Street,  at  the 
outlet  of  the  brook  which  ran  from  the  Fresh  "Water  Pond.  Within  two 
hours  afterward,  the  fort  was  to  be  vacated,  the  military  marching  out 
with  all  the.  honors  of  war. 

On  Sunday  afternoon,  after  the  second  sermon,  the  conciliatory  terms 
by  which  New  Amsterdam  was  surrendered  —  terms,  perhaps,  the  most 
favorable  ever  granted  by  a  conqueror  —  were  explained  to  the 

Sept' 7  anxious  community.  On  Monday  morning,  Stuyvesant  and  his 
council  affixed  their  names  to  the  articles  of  capitulation,  and  exchanged 
them  with  Nicolls.  All  things  being  ready,  the  garrison  marched  out 
of  the  fort,  carrying  their  arms,  with  drums  beating  and  colors  flying, 
and  embarked  on  a  vessel  about  to  set  sail  for  Holland.    Colonel  Nicolls 

sept  8  anc^  R°kert  Carr  formed  their  companies  into  six  columns, 
aud  entered  the  town  as  the  Dutch  garrison  departed.  The  city 
magistrates  were  assembled  in  the  council  chamber,  and  with  much 
ceremony  proclaimed  Nicolls  governor  of  the  province.  The  English 
flag  was  raised  over  the  fort,  which  was  now  to  be  called  Fort  James,  and 
New  Amsterdam  was  henceforth  to  be  known  as  New  York. 

The  conquest  of  Long  Island  and  New  Amsterdam  has  been  widely 
stigmatized  as  an  act  of  peculiar  national  baseness.  It  was  matured  in 
secret  and  accomplished  with  deliberate  deceit  towards  a  friendly  govern- 
ment. It  provoked  a  war  which  disgraced  the  reign  of  Charles  II.  ;  a 
war  in  which  Dutch  fleets  not  only  swept  the  Channel,  but  entered  the 
Thames,  burned  the  warehouses  and  dock-yards  at  Chatham,  and  mad- 
dened and  terrified  the  citizens  of  London  with  the  roar  of  their  cannon. 
And  yet,  unjustifiable  as  it  surely  was  for  an  undeclared  enemy  to  sneak 
into  a  remote  harbor  and  treacherously  seize  a  province,  the  temptation 
furnished  by  the  circumstances  of  the  case  may  perhaps  be  cited  as  a 
sort  of  palliation  of  the  deed.  The  West  India  Company  and  the 
States-General  had  always  undervalued  New  Netherland ;  it  was  their 
neglect  of  it  which  had  been  the  most  potent  stimulus  to  English  am- 
bition ;  and  finally,  the  event  itself  could  not  have  been  avoided  by  the 
Dutch  government  unless  all  their  previous  policy  had  been  reversed 
and  their  title  planted  upon  a  more  tenable  basis. 

Stuyvesant  was  mortified  and  humiliated  beyond  expression.  His 
solitary  heroism,  and  his  loyalty,  unshaken  to  the  last,  did  not  protect 
him  from  the  severe  censure  of  his  superiors.  He  was  summoned  to 
Holland  to  render  an  account  of  his  administration,  and  detained  there 
many  months.  The  soulless  corporation  was  dying  by  inches.  The  loss 
of  its  province  had  been  its  death-blow.    But  it  had  sufficient  vitality 


THE  STU  YVES  ANT  PEAR-TREE. 


215 


left  to  make  a  desperate  effort  to  shift  the  responsibility  of  its  misfor- 
tunes upon  the  head  of  its  faithful  servant,  notwithstanding  abundant 
proof  that,  year  after  year,  and  by  almost  every  ship  which  crossed  the 
ocean,  he  had  warned  the  self-sufficient  company  of  the  impossibility  of 
holding  the  province  against  any  hostile  attack  without  the  means  to 
improve  its  weak  and  dangerous  condition.  The  peace  of  Breda  put  an 
end  to  the  controversy,  and  Stuyvesant,  whose  property  interests  were 
all  in  New  York,  returned  and  took  up  his  abode  here  as  a  private  citi- 
zen. While  at  the  Hague,  he  labored  incessantly  to  secure  from  the 
king  the  ratification  of  the  sixth  article  in  his  treaty  with  Nicolls,  which 
granted  free  trade  with  Holland  in  Dutch  vessels.  He  wrote  to  Charles, 
that  New  York  could  scarcely  be  relieved  by  England  during  the  pres- 
ent season,  and  that  what  he  asked  for  would  prevent  the  Indians  from 
diverting  their  traffic  to  Canada,  as  well  as  enable  the  Dutch  inhabitants 
to  follow  their  prosperous  vocations.  His  logic  was  convincing,  and 
Charles  authorized  the  Duke  of  York  to  grant  "  temporary  permission 
for  seven  years,  with  three  ships  only." 

Stuyvesant  brought  with 
him,  on  his  return  voyage  to 
New  York,  a  pear-tree,  which 
he  planted  in  his  garden. 
It  survived  the  storms  of 
two  hundred  winters.  As  the 
city  grew,  and  one  old  land- 
mark after  another  disap- 
peared, the  solitary  pear-tree 
long  continued  to  put  out  its 
blossoms  every  spring  and  to 
bend  under  the  weight  of  its 
fruit  every  summer.  It  stood 
for  many  years,  surrounded 
by  an  iron  fence,  on  the  cor- 
ner of  East  13th  Street  and 
3d  Avenue ;  and  when,  at  last, 
it  fell,  many  a  loyal  mourner 
strove  to  obtain  a  fragment 
of  its  broken  body  to  preserve 
in  remembrance  of  by-gone 
times.  The  railing  which  en- 
closed it  may  Still  be  Seen,  Stuyvesant's  Pear-Tree. 

and  within  it  a  vigorous  young  offshoot  of  the  parent  tree,  putting  forth 


216 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


its  leaves  and  branches  with  an  appearance  of  family  pride,  and  a  good 
degree  of  the  family  energy. 

The  life  of  Governor  Stuyvesant  was  one  long  romantic  history,  as 
well  as  an  instructive  lesson.  He  had  marvelous  intellectual  power, 
great  subtlety  of  discernment,  and  yet  a  peculiar  turn  of  mind  which 
rendered  him  less  successful  in  politics  than  were  many  who  had  not 
half  his  ability.  He  gave  evidence  of  extensive  reading ;  a  fact  in 
itself  remarkable,  when  we  take  into  consideration  the  age  in  which  he 
lived,  and  the  difficulty,  at  that  time,  of  obtaining  books  in  this  country. 
He  was  a  courtly  man,  from  whom  the  freshness  of  youth  had  quite 


departed, when  he  retired  from  public  life.  He  was  active,  however,  in 
all  his  movements  long  after  a  restful  repose  had  settled  upon  his  care- 
worn features.  He  interested  himself  in  church  affairs  and  in  city 
improvements,  grew  social  and  companionable,  frequently  dined  his 
English  successor  at  his  country-seat,  and  rendered  himself  very  dear  to 
his  family  and  intimate  friends.  He  gave  one  the  impression  of  fine 
rich  fruit,  not  tempting  in  external  show,  but  sound  and  sweet  to  the 
core.  He  died  in  1672,  and  was  interred  in  the  family  vault,  in  the 
church  upon  his  farm.  One  hundred  and  thirty  years  afterward,  St. 
Mark's  Church  was  erected  upon  the  same  site,  and  Peter  Stuyvesant, 
the  great-grandson  of  the  governor,  caused  the  vault  to  be  repaired  and 
enlarged.  Upon  the  outer  wall  of  St.  Mark's  Church  is  the  original  tab- 
let, of  which  the  sketch  is  a  facsimile. 

Governor  Stuyvesant  had  two  sons,  Balthazar  and  Nicholas  William. 


Stuyvesant's  Tomb. 


THE  STUYVESANT  FAMILY. 


217 


The  former  was  born  in  1647,  and  the  latter  in  1648.  Balthazar  re- 
moved to  the  West  Indies  after  the  surrender  of  the  province.  Nicholas 
William  married  Maria,  the  only  daughter  of  William  Beekman,  who 
died  without  issue.  He  then  married  Elizabeth  Slechtenhorst,  daughter 
of  the  famous  commander  of  Rensselaerswick.  They  had  three  children, 
Peter,  Anna,  and  Gerardus.  The  former  died  in  1705,  having  never 
married.  Anna  married  the.  Kev.  Mr.  Pritchard,  an  Episcopal  clergyman. 
Gerardus  married  his  second  cousin,  Judith  Bayard.  They  had  four  sons, 
only  one  of  whom,  Peter,  left  descendants.  He  was  born  in  1727,  and 
married  Margaret,  daughter  of  Gilbert  Livingston.  Their  sons,  Nicholas 
William  and  Peter  Gerard,  are  well  remembered  by  our  older  citizens ; 
of  their  daughters,  Judith  married  Benjamin  Winthrop,  Cornelia  mar- 
ried Dirck  Ten  Broeck,  and  Elizabeth  married  Colonel  Nicholas  Fish 
and  was  the  mother  of  Hon.  Hamilton  Fish,  the  present  Secretary  of 
State  for  the  United  States. 


["  Petersfieid  "  was  the  residence  of  Peter  Gerard  Stuyvesant  (many  years  President  of  the  New  York 
Historical  Society),  who  married,  i,  Susan,  daughter  of  Colonel  Thomas  Barclay;  2,  Helen  Sarah, 
daughter  of  Hon.  John  Rutherford,  of  New  Jersey.  The  "  Bowery  House"  was  the  residence  of  Nich- 
olas William,  the  brother  of  Peter  Gerard  Stuyvesant.  Both  mansions  were  built  prior  to  the  Revolu- 
tion. For  location,  see  map  of  Stuyvesant  estate,  page  188.  The  chief  portion  of  this  extensive  prop- 
erty is  now  in  possession  of  the  three  descendants,  Hon.  Hamilton  Fish  (Secretary  of  State),  Benjamiji 
Robert  Winthrop,  and  Louis  M.  Rutherford,  the  well-known  astronomer.]  1 


218  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


1664  -  1668. 


NEW  YORK. 


New  York. — The  Duke  of  York.  —  Governor  Nicolls. — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johannes 
Van  Brugh.  —  The  Brodhead  Family. — Albany. — The  Taking  of  the  Oath  of 
Allegiance  to  England.  — Sir  Robert  Carr  at  Delaware  Bay.  —  An  Extraordi- 
nary Complication. — Connecticut  Diplomacy. — The  Dividing  Line  between 
Connecticut  and  New  York.  —  New  Jersey.  —  Elizabethtown. — Johannes  De 
Peyster.  —  Interesting  Controversy.  —  Court  of  Assizes.  —  Nicolls  a  Law- 
Maker.  —  The  Hempstead  Convention.  —  "The  Duke's  Laws." — The  First  Race- 
Course  on  Long  Island. — The  First  Vineyard  on  Long  Island. — The  First 
Mayor  of  New  York. — The  First  Aldermen. — John  Lawrence. — Nicholas 
Bayard. — Symptoms  of  War. — Secret  Orders., —  War  declared. — Cornells 
Steenwyck.  — The  Plague  in  London. — The  Great  Fire  in  London.  —  England's 
Disgrace. — Clarendon's  Fall. — New  York's  Miseries. — Nicolls's  Wisdom. — 
Witchcraft.  —  The  Manors  of  Gardiner  and  Shelter  Islands. — Nicolls  asks 
for  his  Recall. 

"1~T  has  been  the  destiny  of  New  York  to  sustain  fiercer  trials  and  to' 


I  gain  a  wider  and  more  varied  experience  than  any  other  American 
State.  The  first  half-century  of  her  existence,  though  not  very  fruitful  iu 
achievements,  greatly  surpasses  in  importance  any  other  equal  period, 
from  having  projected  the  impulse  and  prescribed  the  law  of  her  subse- 
quent development.  When,  in  1664,  she  was  geographically  united  to 
New  England  and  the  Southern  British  colonies,  and  exchanged  a  repub- 
lican sovereignty  for  an  hereditary  king,  she  possessed  the  vital  element 
of  all  her  later  greatness.  The  irrepressible  forces,  political,  social,  and 
religious,  which  were  sweeping  over  the  chief  nationalities  of  Europe  in 
that  remarkable  century,  were  already  here,  and  pushing  to  unforeseen 
ends.  Eighteen  languages  were  spoken  in  our  infant  capital.  The  arri- 
vals which  followed  increased  without  materially  changing  the  character 
of  the  population.  The  old,  stubborn,  intensely  practical  Dutch  spirit 
was  firmly  planted  in  this  soil ;  English  inflexibility,  sagacity,  and  invig- 
orating life  had  also  taken  root ;  and  French  industry,  refinement,  and 
vivacity  flourished,  if  possible,  the  most  luxuriantly  of  the  three.  The 


U  Russell  ii  Slrutheri.N.T. 


THE  DUKE  OF  YORK. 


219 


chief  impulse  of  the  Huguenot  movement,  which  had  begun  in  France, 
both  in  the  capital  and  in  the  University,  was  coeval  with  the  revival  of 
letters.  Hence  those  who  fled  into  voluntary  exile  were  generally  of  the 
cultivated  and  wealthy  classes.  They  transplanted  to  New  York  an 
influence  of  education  and  graceful  accomplishments,  and  gave  a  certain 
chivalric  tone  to  the  new  society.  We  have  seen  Dr.  La  Montagne  closely 
associated  in  the  New  Netherland  government  for  more  than  a  score  of 
years ;  and  we  find  that  the  public  documents  of  the  period  were  written 
in  the  French  as  well  as  the  Dutch  language.  Swedes,  Germans,  and 
some  of  other  nationalities  were  here,  but  in  smaller  numbers.  The 
inhabitants,  drawn  together  from  regions  so  remote,  grew  to  be  one  peo- 
ple :  a  fearless,  thoughtful,  energetic,  constructive  people,  politically  alive, 
religiously  free ;  a  people  which  rejected  hereditary  leaders  and  kept 
those  whom  it  elected  under  careful  limitations.  New  York,  standing 
midway  among  the  sea-coast  colonies,  modified  with  her  broader  views 
the  narrowness  of  her  neighbors,  and,  after  guarding  for  a  century  her 
long  frontier  from  the  attacks  of  Canada,  became  the  pivot  upon  which 
turned  the  most  important  events  of  that  gigantic  Revolution  which  gave 
birth  to  a  nation. 

The  Duke  of  York  was  a  practical  business  man.  He  had  been  told 
that  his  new  territory,  if  well  managed,  would  yield  him  thirty  thousand 
pounds  per  annum.  In  none  of  his  plans  and  arrangements  did  he  dis- 
play more  far-sighted  common-sense  than  in  his  choice  of  a  capable, 
resolute,  and  honest  governor.  Colonel  Nicolls  was  the  son  of  a  lawyer 
of  the  Middle  Temple.  His  mother  was  the  daughter  of  Sir  George 
Bruce.  He  was  splendidly  educated  and  accustomed  to  all  the  refine- 
ments of  the  higher  European  circles.  Warmly  attached  to  the  royal 
cause,  he  had  shared  its  fortunes,  and  spent  much  time,  as  an  exile,  in 
Holland.  He  was  familiar  with  the  Dutch  literature,  and  spoke  the 
Dutch  and  French  languages  as  well  as  he  spoke  his  own.  He  was  about 
forty  years  of  age  ;  a  little  above  the  medium  height ;  of  fine,  stately 
presence,  with  a  fair,  open  face,  a  pleasant,  magnetic  gray  eye,  somewhat 
deeply  set,  and  hair  slightly  curled  at  the  ends. 

He  laughed  a  little  at  the  fort,  with  its  feint  of  strength,  and  its  quaint 
double-roofed  church  within,  but  found  the  governor's  house  very  com- 
fortably furnished  and  quite  attractive  for  a  new  country.  The  city 
pleased  him.  Its  promise  was  vague  and  undefined,  but  he  wrote  to 
King  James  that  it  was  undoubtedly  the  best  of  all  his  towns,  and,  with 
a  little  care,  the  staple  of  America  might  be  drawn  thither  in  spite  of 
Boston. 

His  affability  and  genial  nature  won  the  citizens  from  the  start ;  at 


220 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


least  such  as  were  so  fortunate  as  to  come  in  personal  contact  with  him, 
either  officially  or  otherwise.  On  the  day  after  the  surrender,  the 
Sept.  9.  burgomasters  an(j  schepens  met  and  transacted  their  ordinary  busi- 
ness, as  if  nothing  unusual  had  occurred.  They  afterwards  indicated  their 
good-will  to  the  administration  through  a  letter  —  drawn  up  by  Cornelis 
Steenwyck,  and  signed  by  each  member  of  the  board  —  in  which  appeared 
the  following  passage :  "  Nicolls  is  a  wise  and  intelligent  governor,  under 
whose  wings  we  hope  to  bloom  and  grow  like  the  cedar  on  Lebanon." 

The  official  counselors  of  Governor  Nicolls  were  Robert  Needham, 
Thomas  Delavall,  Thomas  Topping,  and  William  Wells.  Matthias 
Nicolls,  a  thoroughbred  English  lawyer,  was  appointed  Secretary  of  the 
province.  All  these  were  from  among  the  new-comers,  except  William 
Wells,  who  had  settled  previously  at  Southold,  Long  Island.  Cornelis 
Van  Ruyven,  Stuyvesant's  provincial  Secretary,  was  appointed  collector 
of  the  customs.  He  was  called  into  counsel  on  many  occasions,  and 
rendered  material  aid  to  Nicolls.  One  of  the  schepens,  Johannes  Van 
Brugh,  was  also  invited  to  the  meetings  of  the  council,  and  his  opinions 
were  treated  with  profound  deference.  He  was  a  shipping  merchant,  doing 
a  prosperous  business.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Anetje  Jans.  They 
lived  in  a  stone  house  near  Hanover  Square,  in  front  of  which  several  im- 
mense forest-trees  cast  their  broad  shadows  over  ;i  handsome  green,  where 
the  Indians  used  to  camp,  during  their  visits  to  the  city,  and  where  mar- 
ket-wagons were  often  left  standing,  while  the  horses  rested  and  grazed 
in  the  cool  shade.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Brugh  were  the  first  of  the  Dutch 
residents  who  gave  a  dinner-party  in  honor  of  the  new  English  governor. 

On  the  Sunday  following  the  surrender,  the  English  Episcopal  service 
was  celebrated  for  the  first  time  in  New  York,  by  the  chaplain  of 
sept.  14.  ^e  English  forces.  It  having  been  agreed  in  the  capitulation 
that  the  Dutch  should  enjoy  all  their  religious  liberties  and  retain  their 
own  church  edifice,  it  was  very  cordially  arranged  that  the  services  of  the 
Church  of  England  should  take  place  in  the  same  sanctuary  after  the  close 
of  the  usual  morning  worship.  Meanwhile  the  city  magistrates  provided 
for  the  support  of  Dominies  Megapolensis  and  Drisius,  until  the  gov- 
ernor should  make  further  arrangements. 

Fort  Orange,  and  Esopus,  although  included  in  the  capitulation,  re- 
mained to  be  brought  under  the  Duke's  authority.  As  soon  as  the 
safety  of  the  capital  was  fairly  assured,  Nicolls  dispatched  to  the  former 
point  Colonel  Cartwright  and  his  company,  armed  with  various  orders 
and  instructions.  Colonel  Cartwright  was  a  typical  Englishman,  heavy, 
grave,  often  morose,  overbearing,  of  a  suspicious  temperament,  and  an 
excellent  hater  of  the  Dutch.    The  two  officers  next  in  command  were 


ALBANY. 


221 


Captain  John  Manning  and  Captain  Daniel  Brodhead.  Captain  Manning 
had  formerly  commanded  a  trading  vessel  between  New  Haven  arid  New 
York,  but  was  now  in  the  military  service.  Captain  Brodhead,  from  an 
ancient  family  in  Yorkshire,  England,  was  a  zealous  royalist,  in  high 
favor  with  the  king.  He  was  the  common  ancestor  of  the  Brodhead 
family  in  this  country,  among  whom  in  every  generation  have  been  men 
of  culture  and  distinction,  —  the  most  widely  known  of  them  all,  perhaps, 
being  the  late  John  Romeyn  Brodhead,  the  eminent  scholar  and  historian 
of  New  York. 

Van  Rensselaer  was  directed  to  obey  Cartwright,  and  also  to  bring  his 
title  papers  respecting  Rensselaerswick  to  Nicolls  for  inspection.  This 
was  subsequently  done,  and  a  new  patent  was  issued  to  the  patroon  by 
the  Duke.  Thomas  Willett,  and  Thomas  Breedon,  ex-governor  of  Nova 
Scotia,  accompanied  the  expedition  by  request,  because  they  were  accus- 
tomed to  dealing  with  the  savages,  and  it  was  esteemed  of  the  first  im- 
portance to  secure  the  friendship  which  the  Iroquois  had  cherished 
towards  the  Dutch. 

The  military  officers  were  received  with  courtesy  by  Dr.  La  Montagne 
and  the  magistrates  of  the  little  town,  which  was  at  once  named  Albany, 
after  the  Scotch  title  of  the  Duke  of  York.  It  was  found  that  John  De 
Decker,  one  of  Stuyvesant's  counselors  and  a  signer  of  the  articles  of 
capitulation,  had  been  actively  engaged  in  trying  to  infuse  the  spirit  of 
resistance  into  the  people  at  the  north,  and  he  was  banished  from  the 
province.  Few  changes  were  made  in  the  civil  government.  The 
Mohawk  and  Seneca  sachems  appeared  and  signed  with  Cart-  ept'25' 
wright  the  first  treaty  between  the  Iroquois  and  the  English ;  and  Captain 
Manning  was  left  in  command  of  the  fort. 

On  his  return  from  Albany,  Cartwright  landed  at  Esopus,  where  he  was 
warmly  welcomed  by  William  Beekman,  who  was  confirmed  in 
his  authority  as  sheriff.    Thomas  Chambers  was  also  retained  as  Sept'  3°' 
commissary.    The  charge  of  the  garrison  was  committed  to  Captain  Brod- 
head. 

Nicolls  was  quick  to  see  the  advantage  of  influencing  as  many  of  the 
Dutch  families  as  possible  to  remain  in  their  present  homes.  By  the 
articles  of  capitulation  he  had  given  them  liberty  to  sell  their  lands  and 
effects  and  to  remove  to  Holland.  But  he  resolved  to  ask  the  principal 
Dutch  citizens  to  take  the  customary  oath  and  become  British  subjects. 
He  accordingly  sent  for  Ex-Governor  Stuyvesant,  De  Sille,  Van  Ruyven, 
Dominies  Megapolensis  and  Drisius,  and  a  few  others,  to  meet  him 
in  the  chamber  of  the  common  council,  where  the  burgomasters  and 
schepens  were  assembled,  and  there  he  addressed  them  on  the  subject, 


222 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


explaining  that  this  new  obligation  did  not  involve  any  permanent 
renunciation   of  allegiance  to  the  Dutch  government.  Thev 

Oct  14.  * 

demurred.  Van  Ruyven  argued  that  the  people  had  been  pro- 
nounced "  free  denizens  "  by  the  terms  of  the  surrender,  and  no  provision 
made  for  assuming  a  new  allegiance.  Van  Cortlandt  feared  such  a  pro- 
ceeding would  render  the  articles  of  capitulation  null  and  void.  After 
much  debate,  the  meeting  declined  taking  the  oath,  unless  Nicolls  should 
add  to  it,  "  conformable  to  the  articles  concluded  on  the  surrender  of 
this  place." 

The  subject  was  in  agitation  for  several  days.  Finally,  Nicolls  said  in 
writing,  that  "  the  articles  of  surrender  "  were  "  not  in  the  least  broken,  or 
intended  to  be  broken,  by  any  words  or  expressions  in  the  said 
oath."  This  statement  proved  satisfactory,  and,  within  the  subse- 
quent five  days,  over  two  hundred  and  fifty  residents  of  the  city  and 
adjacent  country  took  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  Charles  II.  and  the  Duke 
of  York.  Among  these  was  Stuyvesant  himself ;  also  Van  Ruyven,  Van 
Brugh,  Van  Cortlandt,  Van  Rensselaer,  Beekman,  and  the  two  Dutch 
Dominies. 

Tonneman,  the  sheriff,  returned  to  Holland,  and  the  city  was  called 
upon  to  elect  his  successor.    The  choice  fell  upon  Allard  Anthony,  who 
was  at  once  confirmed  in  office  by  the  governor.    About  the 
same  time  a  provost-marshal  was  appointed,  to  keep  unruly 
soldiers  from  interfering  with  the  citizens. 

Meanwhile,  Sir  Robert  Carr  had  gone,  with  two  vessels  and  a  large 
armed  force,  to  reduce  the  settlements  on  the  Delaware.  He  found  the 
Swedes  manageable  and  the  Dutch  obstinate.  Superiority  in 
'  numbers,  however,  secured  a  bloodless  victory.  It  was  then  that 
the  royal  knight  began  to  reveal  his  true  character.  He  assumed  au- 
thority independent  of  Nicolls,  and  claimed  to  be  the  sole  disposer  of 
affairs  in  that  region.  He  shipped  the  Dutch  soldiers  to  Virginia,  to  be 
sold  as  slaves.  He  imprisoned  the  commander  Hiunoyssa,  and  appropri- 
ated his  comfortable  house  and  flourishing  farm  to  his  own  use.  He 
gave  the  stone  dwelling,  and  a  large  tract  of  land  belonging  to  Sheriff 
Van  Sweringen,  to  his  son  Captain  John  Carr.  He  distributed  the 
property  of  the  other  settlers  as  he  saw  fit.  When  an  account  of  his 
high-handed  proceedings  reached  the  other  commissioners,  they  were 
astonished  beyond  measure.  They  considered  such  conduct  "  presump- 
tuous and  disgraceful."  They  peremptorily  required  his  lordship's  return 
to  New  York  to  attend  to  the  further  business  of  (Ik;  commission,  and 
when  he  did  not  make  his  appearance,  Cartwright  and  Maverick  deputed 
Nicolls  to  proceed  to  Delaware  Bay  and  appoint  such  civil  and  military 


CONNECTICUT  DIPLOM.  1 1  'Y. 


223 


officers  there  as  his  best  judgment  dictated.  He  was  accompanied  by 
Counselor  Needham.  He  administered  a  severe  rebuke  to  Carr  and 
compelled  him  to  disgorge  much  of  his  ill-gotten  spoil.  He  regulated 
affairs  as  well  as  he  was  able,  and  appointed  Captain  John  Carr  as 
deputy -governor. 

.  Connecticut  was  all  this  while  in  deep  distress.  The  patent  of  the 
king  had  extended  her  territory  to  the  Pacific  Ocean.  But  here  was 
another  patent  of  the  king  to  his  brother,  comprising  every  inch  of  land 
west  of  the  Connecticut  River.  It  was  a  most  extraordinary  complica- 
tion. 

As  for  Long  Island,  the  Duke's  patent  expressly  included  it  by  name ; 
moreover,  Winthrop,  at  Gravesend,  just  before  the  surrender  of  New 
York,  had  declared  that  the  jurisdiction  formerly  exercised  by  Connecti- 
cut "  ceased  and  became  null."  There  seemed  therefore  to  be  little  room 
for  discussion  in  regard  to  that  region,  and  it  received  the  name  of 
Yorkshire. 

But  Hartford  herself  was  included  in  the  Duke's  patent,  to  say  noth- 
ing of  republican  New  Haven,  who  had  held  her  head  so  high,  and 
stoutly  refused  to  bend  to  Connecticut,  because  the  charter  of  the  latter 
had  been  (as  was  affirmed)  surreptitiously  obtained,  "  contrary  to  right- 
eousness, amity,  and  peace."  Alas,  when  the  choice  was  finally  made 
between  two  great  evils,  Puritan  dictation  was  judged  to  be  far  bet- 
ter than  foreign  annexation.  The  General  Court  of  Connecticut  held  a 
mournful  meeting  in  October.  "  We  must  try  to  conciliate  those 
royal  commissioners,"  said  Winthrop.  It  was  voted  to  present 
them  with  five  hundred  bushels  of  corn  and  some  fine  horses.  A  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  Governor  Winthrop,  his  son  Fitz  John,  Matthew 
Allyn,  Nathan  Gold,  and  James  Richards,  was  appointed  to  pay  a  visit 
of  congratulation  and  to  make  the  presentation.  They  were  empowered 
to  seize  any  opportunity  which  might  offer,  to  settle  a  boundary  line 
between  the  two  patents. 

They  reached  New  York  late  in  November,  and  were  graciously 
received  by  Nicolls,  Cartwright,  and  Maverick.  After  much  preamble, 
the  delicate  and  perplexing  question  was  fairly  brought  under 
discussion.  The  two  patents  were  spread  upon  the  table.  Win- 
throp was  reminded  that,  in  obtaining  the  former,  he  had  promised  to 
submit  to  any  alteration  of  boundaries  which  might  be  made  by  the 
king's  commissioners.  The  authority  of  the  later  patent  could  not  be 
shaken.  The  Connecticut  gentlemen  pleaded  that  it  should  not  be  en- 
forced to  its  full  extent,  thus  depriving  Connecticut  of  her  "  very  bowels 
and  principal  parts."    To  this  Nicolls  readily  assented,  for  his  own  judg- 


224  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


ment  condemned  a  course  which  would  only  result  in  the  ruin  of  a 
thriving  colony,  and  in  lasting  dishonor  to  the  king.  It  was  therefore 
agreed  that  the  dividing  line  between  Connecticut  and  New  York  should 
run  about  twenty  miles  from  any  part  of  the  Hudson  River.  To  define 
the  starting-point  and  the  compass  direction,  the  Connecticut  gentlemen 
inserted  a  clause  in  the  document  by  which  the  line  was  to  be  drawn 
from  where  the  Mamaroneck  Creek  flows  into  the  Sound,  and  north- 
northwest  onward  to  the  Massachusetts  line. 

For  the  moment,  this  settlement  seemed  to  be  satisfactory  to  both 
parties.  New  Haven  submitted  to  Connecticut  and  all  went  well  But 
Nicolls  and  his  colleagues,  being  unfortunately  ignorant  of  the  geography 
of  the  country,  were  misled  into  the  supposition  that  the  line  had  been 
drawn  twenty  miles,  when  in  reality  it  was  only  about  ten  miles,  distant 
from  the  Hudson.  It  was  an  absurd  error,  which  was  never  ratified  by 
the  Duke  or  the  king,  and  proved  the  source  of  a  long-continued  and 
distracting  controversy. 

While  the  forces  of  the  expedition  against  New  Netherland  were  still 
on  the  Atlantic,  in  June,  James  dismembered  his  American  province  and 
laid  the  foundation  of  another  State.  The  treasurer  of  his  house- 
'  hold  was  Lord  Berkeley,  who  was  also  one  of  the  Admiralty 
Board.  He  was  a  coarse,  bold  man,  arbitrary  and  unscrupulous,  and 
somewhat  inclined  to  Catholicism.  The  treasurer  of  the  Admiralty  was 
Sir  George  Carteret,  who  had  formerly  been  governor  of  the  Channel 
Island  of  Jersey,  where  he  received  and  entertained  Charles,  while 
Prince  of  Wales,  and  at  which  point  he  gallantly  defeated  the  troops 
of  Cromwell.  He  rode  by  the  side  of  the  king,  when  he  entered  Lon- 
don, at  the  Restoration,  and  was  made  chamberlain  of  the  royal  house- 
hold. Berkeley  and  Carteret  were  both  members  of  the  Council  for 
Foreign  Plantations,  and  had  studied  America  with  careful  attention. 
They  expressed  a  desire  to  purchase  of  the  Duke  a  portion  of  his  new 
territory;  and  he,  wishing  to  please  two  such  devoted  friends,  accepted 
the  small  sum  they  offered,  and  conveyed  to  them  by  deed  the 
June  24' section  now  known  as  New  Jersey,  —  a  name  bestowed  in  com- 
pliment to  Carteret.  James  had  very  little  idea  of  the  magnitude  or 
importance  of  this  sale,  and  made  no  reservation  of  the  right  to  govern. 
Thence  the  purchasers  assumed  absolute  control,  engendering  controver- 
sies which  were  prolonged  for  many  years.  They  published  a  constitu- 
tion for  New  Jersey,  and  appointed  Philip  Carteret,  a  cousin  of  Sir 
George's,  governor  of  the  province. 

Nicolls  knew  nothing  of  all  this  until  the  arrival  of  Governor  Carteret 
off  the  coast  of  Virginia,  when  he  immediately  wrote  to  James,  protest- 


ELIZA  BETH  TO  WN. 


225 


ing  against  a  movement  so  unexpected  and  so  unwise.  Of  course,  the 
protest  came  too  late.  Carteret  reached  New  York  in  July,  1665,  and 
received  from  Nicolls,  according  to  the  orders  of  the  Duke  which  he 
Drought  with  him,  complete  and  undisputed  possession  of  New  Jersey. 
He  landed  on  Jersey  soil,  at  the  head  of  a  party  of  men,  carrying 
a  hoe  on  his  shoulder,  to  indicate  his  intention  of  becoming  a  planter 
with  them.  He  chose  for  the  seat  of  government  a  charming  spot  near 
Newark  Bay,  where  four  families  had  already  settled,  and  named  it 
Elizabethtown,  in  honor  of  Lady  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Sir  George  Car- 
teret. 

Nicolls  found  serious  work  on  all  sides  of  him.    In  order  to  win  the 
Dutch,  he  copied  or  rather  continued,  with  as  little  alteration  as  possible, 
the  form  of  administration  to  which  they  had  been  accustomed. 
The  burgomasters  and  schepens  of  the  city,  when  their  terms  p®6®' 
of  service  expired,  named  their  successors,  as  formerly.    It  was 
just  twelve  years  to  a  day  since  Stuyvesant  had  conferred  the  powers 
which  they  exercised.    The  new  officers  were  promptly  confirmed  by 

Nicolls,  and  announced 
to  the  public  after  the 
usual  ringing  of  the  bell. 
They  were  Cornells  Steen- 
wyck  and  Oloff  S.  Van 
Cortlandt,  burgomas- 
ters ;  Timotheus  Gabry, 
Johannes  Van  Brugh,  Johannes  De  Peyster,  Jacob  Kip,  and  Jacques 
Cousseau,  schepens ;  and  Allard  Anthony,  sheriff. 

It  is  noticeable  that  among  these  names  are  three  of  Huguenot  origin. 
Johannes  De  Peyster  descended  from  one  of  the  families  of  the  nobility 
who  were  driv- 
en from  France 
in  1572  by  the 
religious  per- 
secutions o  f 
Charles  IX.  He 
himself  was 

born  in  Holland.  —  »^T_  lli^j  — THlll'l  "^IIU1  Mil 

He  had  been  in  Silverware  of  the  De  Peysters. 

New  York  for  sixteen  or  more  years.  He  was  heir  to  considerable 
wealth,  some  of  which  was  invested  in  ships  which  sailed  to  and  from 
Europe  and  the  West  Indies.  He  brought  to  this  country  many  valuable 
articles  of  furniture,  and  a  large  quantity  of  massive  silver.  Several 
15 


Autograph  of  Johannes  De  Peyster. 


226 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


specimens  of  the  latter  are  still  in  possession  of  the  family,  and  are 
esteemed  by  the  curious  as  masterpieces  of  art.  He  filled  important 
positions  in  the  city  government  and  in  the  church,  and  'was  held  in 
great  respect.  Nicolls  said  of  him  that  he  could  make  a  better  plat- 
form speech  than  any  other  man  outside  of  Parliament,  only  that  his 
knowledge  of  the  English  tongue  was  defective.  He  was  the  ancestor 
of  the  De  Peyster  family,  which,  from  its  intimate  connection  with  the 
fortunes  of  New  York,  will  occupy  our  attention  in  future  chapters. 

Almost  immediately,  a  controversy  arose  between  the  city  magistrates 
and  the  governor  and  council.  It  having  been  stipulated  that  the  city 
should  provide  quarters  for  such  soldiers  as  could  not  be  lodged  iu  the 
fort,  an  attempt  was  made  to  distribute  them  among  the  inhabitants, 
who  were  to  be  paid  for  their  board.  In  many  instances,  they  were 
turned  out  of  respectable  houses  on  account  of  disorderly  conduct,  and 
complaints  arose  on  every  side.  The  citizens  generally  preferred  to  pay 
an  assessment  rather  than  have  any  contact  with  them ;  and  the  matter 
was  finally  arranged  in  this  way,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.1 

In  fact,  Nicolls  was  a  provincial  autocrat.  Under  the  Duke's  despotic 
patent,  he  was  the  real  maker  of  the  laws,  and  the  interpreter  of  them 
after  they  were  made.  "With  such  tact  and  moderation,  however,  did  he 
exercise  his  delegated  powers,  that  his  subordinates  actually  believed 
themselves  to  be  sharers  in  the  responsibilities  of  legislation.  He  erected 
a  Court  of  Assizes,  consisting  of  the  governor  and  his  council,  which  was 
the  supreme  tribunal  of  the  province.  After  a  time,  Long  Island,  or 
Yorkshire,  was  divided  into  three  districts,  or  ridings.  The  justices  of 
the  peace  appointed  by  the  governor  were  to  hold,  three  times  a  year  in 
each  district,  a  Court  of  Sessions  over  which  the  governor  or  any  coun- 
selor might  preside ;  and  these  justices,  and  the  high-sheriff  of  each 
district,  were  to  sit  in  the  Court  of  Assizes  once  a  year,  —  the  last  Thurs- 
day in  September.    But  they  had  no  representative  character  whatever. 

The  anomalous  condition  of  New  York  required  special  laws.  Here 
was  a  conquered  province,  which  had  no  charter,  like  the  New  England 
colonies  ;  which  was  not  a  royal  domain,  like  Virginia  ;  which  differed 
materially  from  the  proprietary  of  Maryland  ;  and  whose  Dutch  inhabi- 
tants, having  received  special  privileges  for  the  sake  of  peaceable  posses- 

1  Among  those  assessed  were  Peter  Stuyvesant,  Frederick  Philipse,  Cornells  Van  Ruyven, 
Oloff  S.  Van  Cortlandt,  Paulus  Van  der  Grist,  Johannes  Van  Brogh,  Johannes  Dp  Peyster, 
Jacob  Kip,  Allan!  Anthony,  Evert  Puyekinck,  Jan  K  vert  sen  Mont,  Johannes  He  Witt,  Hans 
Kiersted,  Jacob  Leisler,  Paulus  Richards,  Simon  Jansen  Romeyn,  Isaac  Redlow,  Augustine 
Hcermans,  VRgidius  Luyck,  and  many  others.  Some  were  taxed  four  guilders  per  week, 
some  three,  some  two,  and  somo  one. 


NICOLLS  A  LAW-MAKER. 


227 


sion,  were  in  many  respects  upon  a  better  footing  than  the  king's  English 
subjects  upon  Long  Island,  which  had  been  British  territory  before  the 
capitulation.  Nicolls  had  promised  the  Long-Islanders  at  Gravesend, 
before  the  surrender,  that  they  should  have  a  convention  of  delegates 
from  their  towns,  to  enact  laws  and  establish  civil  offices.  He  accord- 
ingly proceeded,  with  the  help  of  his  council,  to  frame  a  code  which 
should  ultimately  become  the  law  of  the  whole  province.  He  carefully 
studied  the  laws  in  actual  operation  in  the  several  New  England  colo- 
nies ;  and,  for  that  purpose,  obtained  copies  of  those  of  Massachusetts 
and  New  Haven,  the  latter  of  which  had  been  printed  in  London  in 
1656.  He  wrote  to  Winthrop  for  a  copy  of  the  statutes  of  Connecticut; 
but  they  existed  only  in  manuscript,  and  he  did  not  obtain  a  transcript 
in  time  to  make  use  of  it.  But,  however  much  Nicolls  may  have  bor- 
rowed from  the  experience  and  wisdom  of  his  neighbors,  he  excelled 
them  all  in  liberality  in  matters  of  conscience  and  religion. 

He  called  a  convention  at  Hempstead  on  the  28th  of  February.  It 
consisted  of  thirty-four  delegates,  two  from  each  of  the  Long  Island 
towns,  and  two  from  Westchester.    These  delegates  were  all  noti- 

Feb  28 

fied  to  bring  with  them  whatever  documents  related  to  the  bound- 
aries of  their  respective  towns,  and  to  invite  the  Indian  sachems,  whose 
presence  might  be  necessary,  to  attend  the  meeting,  as  there  was  impor- 
tant business  to  be  transacted,  aside  from  the  discussion  and  adoption 
of  the  new  code  of  laws.1 

Nicolls  presided  in  person.  At  the  opening  of  the  exercises,  he  read  the 
Duke's  patent  and  his  own  commission.  He  then  proceeded  to  the  set- 
tlement of  local  boundaries,  and  other  minor  matters.  The  laws  were 
delivered  to  the  delegates  for  inspection.  Scarcely  a  man  among  them 
was  satisfied.    They  had  expected  immunities  at  least  equal  to  those 

1  The  delegates  to  this  convention  were  as  follows  :  Jacques  Cortelyou  and  Mr.  Fosse, 
from  New  Utrecht  ;  Elbert  Elbertsen  and  Roeloffe  Martense,  from  Flatlands  ;  John  Stryker 
and  Hendrick  Jorassen,  from  Flathush  ;  James  Hubbard  and  John  Bowne,  from  Gravesend  ; 
John  Stealman  and  Ouisbert  Tennis,  from  Bush  wick  ;  Frederick  Lubbersten  and  John  Evert- 
sen,  from  Brooklyn  ;  Richard  Betts  and  John  Coe,  from  Newtown  ;  Elias  Doughty  and 
Richard  Cornhill,  from  Flushing;  Thomas  Benedict  and  Daniel  Denton,  from  Jamaica; 
John  Hicks  and  Robert  Jackson,  from  Hempstead  ;  John  Underbill  and  Matthias  Harvey, 
from  Oyster  Bay  ;  Jonas  Wood  and  John  Ketchum,  from  Huntington  ;  Daniel  Lane  and 
Roger  Barton,  from  Brookhavcn  ;  Counselor  William  Wells  and  John  Young,  from  South- 
old  ;  Counselor  Thomas  Topping  and  John  Howell,  from  Southampton  ;  Thomas  Baker  and 
John  Stratton,  from  Easthampton  ;  and  Edward  Jessop  and  John  Quimby,  from  Westches- 
ter. Brndhcad,  II.  68.  Journals  New  York  Legislative  Council ;  Gen.  En/.,  I.  93-95. 
Wood,  87,  88.  Thompson,  I.  131,  132.  Bolton,  II.  180.  Dmilup,  II.  App.  XXXVII. 
Smith,  I.  388.  Hist.  Mag.,  VIII.  211.  Trumbull  MSS.,  XX.  74.  Col.  Doc.,  II.  251  ;  111. 
86,  88,  114  ;  JV.  1154,    Deeds,  II.  1  -15,  43,  48,  49.    Chalmers,  I.  577,  578,  598. 


228 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


enjoyed  under  the  charter  of  Connecticut,  with  which  they  were  perfectly 
familiar.  The  code  prepared  did  not  recognize  the  right  of  the  people  to 
choose  their  own  magistrates  or  to  have  a  voice  in  the  levying  of  taxes. 
Consequently,  they  objected  to  some  of  its  clauses,  and  proposed  others. 
The  discussion  occupied  ten  days.  Several  amendments  were  accepted  by 
Nicolls.  But  when  the  debate  waxed  warm,  it  was  very  promptly  checked 
by  his  emphatic  announcement  that  all  civil  appointments  were  solely  in 
the  hands  of  the  governor,  and  that  whoever  wished  any  larger  share  in  the 
government  must  go  to  the  king  for  it.  The  delegates  were  thus  assured 
that,  instead  of  being  popular  representatives  to  make  laws,  they  were 
merely  agents  to  accept  those  already  made  for  them.  It  was  not  a 
pleasant  medicine,  but  it  was  gracefully  swallowed.  The  code  was 
adopted,  and  was  generally  known  as  "  The  Duke's  Laws."  The  subjects 
were  arranged  in  alphabetical  order,  and,  about  a  century  after,  having 
become  obsolete,  the  document  was  first  printed  as  an  historical  curiosity. 

Among  the  provisions  of  this  code  were  trials  by  jurymen ;  arbitration 
in  small  matters ;  a  local  court  in  each  town,  from  which  there  was  an 
appeal  to  the  Court  of  Sessions  ;  overseers,  and  constables,  and  justices  of 
the  peace ;  assessments,  and  enforcements  of  rates  imposed.  The  tenure 
of  real  estate  was  to  be  from  the  Duke  of  York,  involving  new  patents 
and  a  harvest  of  fees ;  all  conveyances  were  to  be  recorded  in  the  Secretary's 
office,  in  New  York ;  no  purchase  of  the  Indians  was  to  be  valid  unless 
the  original  owner  acknowledged  the  same  before  the  governor ;  no  trad- 
ing with  the  Indians  was  to  be  allowed  without  a  license ;  no  Indian 
might  pow-wow,  or  perform  outward  worship  to  the  Devil,  in  any  town  in 
the  province  ;  negro  slavery  was  recognized,  but  no  Christians  were  to  be 
enslaved  except  those  sentenced  thereto  by  authority ;  death  was  the 
punishment  for  denying  the  true  God,  for  murder,  for  treason,  for  kidnap- 
ping, for  the  striking  of  parents,  and  for  some  other  offenses,  —  but  witch- 
craft was  not  included  in  the  list ;  churches  were  to  be  built  in  every 
parish  and  supported,  but  no  one^particular  Protestant  denomination  was 
to  be  favored  above  another ;  no  minister  was  to  officiate  but  such  as  had 
been  regularly  ordained ;  each  minister  was  to  preach  every  Sunday,  on 
the  5th  of  November  (the  anniversary  of  the  gunpowder  treason),  on 
the  30th  of  January  (the  anniversary  of  the  violent  death  of  Charles  I.), 
on  the  29th  of  May  (the  anniversary  of  the  birth  of  Charles  II.  and 
of  the  Restoration),  jto  pray  for  the  king,  queen,  Duke  of  York,  and 
the  royal  family,  to  baptize  children,  and  to  marry  persons  after  legal 
publication ;  no  person  who  professed  Christianity  was  to  be  molested, 
fined,  or  imprisoned  for  differing  in  opinion  on  matters  of  religion. 
There  were  numerous  regulations  respecting  the  administration  of  estates, 


THE  FIRST  RACE-COURSE  ON  LONG  ISLAND.  229 


boundaries  of  towns,  births  and  burials,  surgeons  and  midwives,  children 
and  servants,  weights  and  measures,  and  wrecks,  and  whales,  and  sailors, 
and  orphans,  and  laborers,  and  brewers,  and  pipe-staves,  and  casks,  and 
wolves  ;  and  every  town  was  to  provide  a  pillory,  a  pair  of  stocks,  and  a 
pound. 

Nicolls,  with  great  caution,  delayed  the  enforcement  of  those  laws  in 
New  York,  Esopus,  Albany,  and  the  valley  of  the  Hudson.  And,  in 
order  to  mollify  the  resentment  of  some  of  the  Long  Island  delegates,  he 
made  several  civil  appointments  upon  the  adjournment  of  the  conven- 
tion. Counselor  William  Wells  was  commissioned  the  first  high-sheriff 
of  Long  Island.  John  Underbill,  of  Oyster  Bay,  who  had  been  so  promi- 
nent hitherto  in  New  Netherland  affairs,  was  made  high-constable  and 
under-sheriff  of  the  North  district,  or  riding,  and  surveyor-general  of  the 
island.  Daniel  Denton,  John  Hicks,  Jonas  Wood,  and  James  Hubbard 
were  appointed  justices. 

As  an  immediate  result  of  Nicolls's  attendance  upon  the  convention,  a 
race-course  was  established  at  Hempstead.  The  ground  selected  Ma  ^ 
w  as  sixteen  miles  long  and  four  wide.  It  was  covered  with  fine 
grass,  unmarred  by  stick  or  stone,  and  was  for  many  years  called  "Salisbury 
Plains."  Nicolls  directed  that  a  plate  should  be  run  for,  every  year,  in 
order  to  improve  the  provincial  Dutch,  or  Flemish,  breed  of  horses,  which 
was  better  adapted  to  slow  labor  than  to  fleetness  or  display.  The  race- 
course itself  was  named  "  Newmarket,"  after  the  famous  English  sporting- 
ground,  and  was  subsequently  a  favorite  annual  resort  for  the  governors  of 
New  York  and  the  farmers  of  Long  Island. 

Nicolls  was  ready  to  favor  every  important  colonial  enterprise.  There 
had  been  much  talk  about  the  culture  of  grapes.  Paulus  Eichards 
established  a  vineyard  on  Long  Island  for  the  manufacture  of  wine.  As 
be  was  the  first  planter  of  vines,  it  was  cordially  agreed  by  the  adminis- 
tration that  whoever  during  thirty  years  should  plant  vines  in  any  part 
of  the  province  should  pay  five  shillings  for  each  acre  so  planted  to 
Kichards,  in  acknowledgment  of  his  pioneer  operations.  The  produce  of 
his  vines,  if  sold  at  retail  by  any  one  house  in  the  city,  was  to  be  free 
from  impost  for  the  above  period  of  thirty  years,  and,  if  sold  in  gross,  to 
be  free  forever. 

While  Nicolls  was  busily  at  work,  attending  to  his  own  government, 
his  colleagues,  Cartwright,  Maverick,  and  Carr,  were  laboring  with  "  refrac- 
tory "  Massachusetts.  It  had  been  the  object  of  the  king  to  work  such 
alteration  in  the  Puritan  charters  as  would  give  him  the  appointment  of 
their  governors,  and  of  the  commanders  of  their  militia.  Nothing,  how- 
ever, could  be  accomplished  without  the  presence  of  Nicolls.    He  accord- 


230 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


ingly  made  the  journey  to  Boston.  It  was  of  no  use  :  Massachusetts  was 
on  her  dignity.  Boston  treated  the  overtures  of  the  royal  commissioners 
with  scorn.  "  Our  time  and  labor  is  all  lost  upon  men  misled 
May26'  by  the  spirit  of  independency,"  said  Nicolls.  He  hurried  back 
to  New  York;  and  Cartwright,  Maverick,  and  Carr  went  eastward  to 
Maine. 

The  first  care  of  Nicolls,  after  his  return,  was  to  alter  the  city  govern- 
ment, so  as  to  make  it  conform  to  the  customs  of  England.  Wishing  to 
do  tbis  in  the  most  conciliatory  manner,  he  selected  Thomas  Willett  for 
the  first  mayor  of  New  York.  This  gentleman  had  distinguished  himself 
on  the  Albany  expedition,  and  had  so  impressed  Cartwright  that  the 
latter  wrote  to  Nicolls  from  Boston,  "  I  believe  him  a  very  honest  and 
able  gentleman,  and  that  he  will  serve  you  both  for  a  mayor  and  coun- 
selor." Willett  was  a  Plymouth  settler,  but  had  been  much  in  New  Neth- 
erland,  had  property  interests  there,  and  for  a  series  of  years  had  had 
constant  business  relations  with  the  Dutch  merchants.  He  was  better 
acquainted  with  the  country,  and  with  the  language,  manners,  and  cus- 
toms of  the  Dutch,  than  any  other  Englishman,  and  was  popular  among 
all  classes. 

On  the  12th  of  June  appeared  the  governor's  proclamation,  which 

declared  that  the  future  government  of  the  citv  should  be  admin- 
June  12. 

'  istered  by  persons  to  be  known  by  the  name  and  style  of  Mayor, 
Aldermen,  and  Sheriff.  A  separate  instrument,  under  the  same  date,  or- 
dained that  all  the' inhabitants  of  Manhattan  Island  "are  and  shall  be 
forever  accounted,  nominated,  and  established  as  one  body  politic  and 
corporate."  The  appointments  were  as  follows  :  Thomas  Willett,  mayor  ; 
Thomas  Delavall,  Oloff  S.  Van  Cortlandt,  Johannes  Van  Brugh,  Cornells 
Van  Ruyven,  and  John  Lawrence,  aldermen ;  and  Allard  Anthony,  sheriff, 
—  three  Englishmen  and  four  Hollanders. 

They  were  to  be  duly  installed  in  office  on  the  14th  of  June.  When 
Nicolls  entered  the  Council  Chamber,  he  instantly  perceived  that 
'  there  was  much  dissatisfaction.  As  soon  as  the  meeting  was 
called  to  order,  Van  Cortlandt  rose,  and,  with  his  silvery  locks  thrown 
back  and  his  eyes  flashing  fire,  stated  distinctly  his  objections  to  the 
new  regulation,  which  violated  the  sixteenth  article  of  the  capitulation. 
Nicolls  replied  elaborately,  showing  how  the  old  officers  had  been  con- 
tinued, and,  in  February,  new  ones  elected  who  had  been  retained  until 
now.  Van  Brugh  sprang  to  his  feet  and  argued  at  length  the  superior 
wisdom  of  the  old  Dutch  system.  Van  Ruyven  followed  liim,  and,  in 
great  heat,  opposed  the  principle  of  appointments  by  the  governor. 
Nicolls  was  bland  and  deferential,  but  said  he  was  under  orders  from  the 


JOHN  LAWRENCE. 


231 


Duke  of  York  to  model  the  government  of  New  York  according  to  that 
of  the  cities  of  England.  At  the  same  time,  he  paid  the  gentlemen  some 
happy  compliments  in  respect  to  their  recent  administration  of  affairs. 
The  ceremony  of  swearing  in  the  new  magistrates  proceeded  without 
interruption ;  they  were  duly  proclaimed,  and  shook  hands  with  the 
polite  governor  before  separating. 

John  Lawrence  was  one  of  three  brothers  who  settled  on  Long  Island 
in  the  time  of  Charles  L  He  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  Sir  Eobert 
Lawrence  (anciently  spelled  Laurens),  who  owned  in  England,  during  the 
reign  of  Henry  VII.,  thirty-four  manors,  the  revenue  of  which  amounted 
to  six  thousand  pounds  sterling  per  annum.  These  brothers,  John,  Wil- 
liam, and  Thomas,  brought  considerable  property  into  the  province,  and 
all  became  extensive  landholders.  John  accumulated  a  fortune  in  mer- 
cantile pursuits.  When  he  was  first  made  an  alderman,  he  had  a  city  as 
well  as  a  country  residence,  and  owned  more  slaves  than  any  one  on  Man- 
hattan Island. 

The  democratic  theory  which  has  since  been  thoroughly  instilled  into 
the  American  mind,  that  all  men  (and  perhaps  women)  are  born  free  and 
equal,  was  then  among  the  marvels  of  the  future.  An  aristocratic  senti- 
ment pervaded  the  little  community,  and  was  predominant  for  more  than 
a  century  after,  which  was  much  the  same  as  in  the  contemporaneous 
cities  of  Europe.  The  line  between  master  and  servant  was  rigidly  drawn. 
There  was  no  transition  state,  through  which  the  latter  might  aspire,  by  the 
favor  of  fortune,  to  rise  to  the  condition  of  the  former.  And  the  Dutch, 
with  their  great  republican  notions  but  half  developed,  were,  if  possible, 
more  tenacious  in  the  matter  of  social  classification  than  the  English. 

Nicholas  Bayard,  Stuyvesant's  nephew,  was  appointed  secretary  of  the 
common  council,  and  was  required  to  keep  the  records  both  in  Dutch 
and  English.  He  was  a  mere  boy  in  years  and  personal  appearance  ;  but, 
thanks  to  his  accomplished  mother,  he  had  all  the  flexibility  and  self-pos- 
session of  a  veteran.  He  was  industrious,  and  intelligent  in  the  details 
of  finance  and  city  government.  He  wrote  rapidly,  and  his  penmanship 
was  the  pride  of  the  board.  He  had  none  of  the  forwardness  common 
to  youth,  was  courteously  deferent  to  his  elders,  and  remarkably  grave 
and  reticent.  "  He  is  never  in  the  way,  nor  ever  out  of  the  way,"  said 
Willett,  —  a  trait  of  character  which  may  possibly  account  for  his  ex- 
traordinary career  in  after  life.  He  was,  however,  excessively  frivolous 
in  some  of  his  personal  tastes,  and,  when  off  duty,  devoted  himself  to 
dancing,  horse-racing,  and  other  diversions  which  greatly  distressed  his 
worthy  friends. 

The  schools,  so  far  as  they  were  established,  were  allowed  to  continue  ; 


232 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


but  Nicolls  took  no  steps  to  increase  their  number,  or,  indeed,  to  promote 
education  in  any  form.  It  was  sufficient  for  him,  he  argued,  to  see  that 
the  Christian  ministers  were  supported.  The  Lutherans  he  permitted  to 
build  a  church  of  their  own  and  to  send  to  Europe  for  a  clergyman. 

But  a  storm  was  gathering  across  the  water,  which  was  to  involve 
New  York  in  fresh  difficulties.  When  Charles  II.  and  his  ministers 
settled  with  convenient  logic  the  question  of  seizing  and  appropriating  a 
Dutch  province,  it  was  at  the  risk  of  war.  The  States-General  had  no 
suspicion  of  the  treachery  in  progress  until  the  whole  facts  were  revealed. 
De  Witt  sought  an  explanation  from  Downing,  who  replied,  with  stinging 
sarcasm,  that  he  knew  of  no  such  country  as  New  Netherland  except  in 
the  maps ;  the  territory  had  always  belonged  to  the  English  !  Charles 
himself  laughed  heartily  when  the  news  reached  him  of  the  complete 
success  of  Nicolls,  and  remarked  to  Sir  George  Carteret,  "  I  shall  have  a 
pleasant  time  with  the  Dutch  ambassador,  when  he  comes." 

The  West  India  Company  raved.  They  applied  to  the  city  of  Am- 
sterdam and  also  to  the  States-General  for  ships  of  war  and  soldiers,  to 
send  at  once  for  the  reconquest  of  the  province  whose  concerns  they  had 
so  fatally  neglected.  But  the  commercial  monopoly  had  lost  caste,  and 
the  popular  cry  was  against  lending  it  any  assistance. 

A  considerable  time  elapsed  before  Van  Gogh  succeeded  in  obtaining  au- 
dience of  the  king.  Charles  put  him  off  with  one  excuse  after  another,  but 
finally  admitted  him  into  his  presence.  Van  Gogh  denounced  the  whole 
proceeding  as  a  vile  deception,  equally  opposed  to  honor  and  to  justice, 
and  as  a  palpable  infraction  of  the  treaty  between  the  English  and  Dutch 
nations.  Charles  haughtily  replied  that  New  Netherland  belonged  to  the 
English,  who  had  merely  allowed  the  Dutch  to  settle  there,  without  con- 
ferring any  authority  upon  the  West  India  Company.  The  next  day, 
Clarendon  wrote  to  Downing  to  tell  De  Witt  that  "the  king  was  no 
more  accountable  to  the  Dutch  government  for  what  he  had  done  in 
America  than  he  would  be  in  case  he  should  think  fit  to  proceed  against 
the  Dutch  who  live  in  the  fens  of  England  or  in  any  other  part  of  his 
dominions." 

De  Witt  did  not  pause  to  demonstrate  the  transparent  absurdity  of  the 
comparison,  but  peremptorily  replied,  "  New  Netherland  must  be  restored." 
It  was  soon  apparent  to  the  Dutch  statesmen,  through  the  insolent  man- 
ner of  Downing,  as  well  as  the  tone  of  Clarendon's  correspondence,  that 
no  redress  from  England  need  be  anticipated.  Secret  orders  were  there- 
fore given  to  De  Ruyter,  who  was  with  a  squadron  on  the  coast  of  Africa, 
"to  reduce  the  English  possessions  in  that  region,  and  inflict  by  way  of 
reprisal  as  much  damage  and  injury  as  possible,  either  at  Barbadoes, 


SECRET  ORDERS. 


233 


New  Netherland,  Newfoundland,  or  other  islands  or  places  under  English 
obedience."  Downing  secured  information  in  regard  to  these  secret 
orders,  through  the  aid  of  skillful  spies,  who  took  keys  from  De  Witt's 
pocket  while  he  was  asleep  in  bed,  and  extracted  papers  from  his  desk 
which  were  returned  within  an  hour.1  He  immediately  communicated  the 
fact  to  his  own  government.  Letters  of  reprisal  were  at  once  issued  against 
the  "  ships,  goods,  and  servants  "  of  the  United  Provinces,  and,  without 
any  previous  notice,  one  hundred  and  thirty  Dutch  merohant  vessels 
were  seized  in  the  English  ports. 

The  Dutch,  who  lived  by  commerce,  were  no  longer  backward  about 
fighting.  Every  city  offered  men  and  money  to  the  government.  The  East 
India  Company  suspended  their  herring  and  whale  fisheries,  and  equipped 
twenty  war-vessels.  The  West  India  Company  were  authorized  to  attack, 
conquer,  and  destroy  the  English  everywhere,  both  in  and  out  of  Europe, 
on  land  and  on  water.  Fourteen  millions  of  guilders  were  voted  for  the 
expenses  of  the  war.  As  De  Euyter  was  yet  in  the  West  Indies,  Was- 
senaar  of  Opdam  was  made  admiral  of  the  fleet,  with  the  younger 
Tromp,  and  other  renowned  commanders,  under  him. 

On  the  4th  of  March,  Charles  issued  a  formal  declaration  of  war 
against  the  United  Provinces.  The  House  of  Commons  at  once  voted 
two  and  one  half  millions  of  pounds  sterling ;  "  a  sum,"  says 

March  4. 

Macaulay,  "exceeding  that  which  had  supported  the  fleets  and 
armies  of  Cromwell,  at  the  time  when  his  power  was  the  terror  of  all 
the  world."  The  public  mind  of  England  had  been  for  some  time  grow- 
ing discontented  with  the  maladministration  of  affairs,  and  the  immo- 
rality and  extravagance  of  the  court ;  but  all  prior  murmurs  were  mild 
compared  with  the  cry  of  indignation  which  now  burst  forth. 

The  Duke  of  York  took  command  of  the  English  fleet,  and  sent  orders 
to  Nicolls  to  put  his  province  of  New  York  in  a  posture  of  defense 
against  the  Dutch.  Charles  wrote  to  Nicolls  himself,  telling  him  of  De 
Paiyter's  expedition,  and  admonishing  him  to  take  all  possible  care  to 
avoid  a  surprise.  Clarendon  added  his  word  of  warning,  telling  Nicolls 
that  he  must  expect  the  Dutch  to  do  him  every  possible  mischief. 
Nicolls  and  Philip  Carteret  were  appointed  commissioners  in  Admiralty, 
to  dispose  of  all  Djitch  prizes  in  the  American  harbors. 

In  May,  De  Euyter  was  actually  on  his  way  from  the  West  Indies  to 
Newfoundland.    He  intended  to  visit  New  York,  and,  had  he  done  so, 
its  conquest  would  have  been  easy.    But,  being  short  of  provis- 
ions, he  was  obliged  to  turn  homeward. 

1  Pepi/s,  II.  186,  192.  Dairies,  III.  27,  28.  Barnage,  I  714.  De  Witt,  IV.  413.  Aitzema, 
V.  93,  94.    Col.  Doc,  II.  285-  288.  III.  85.    Pari.  Hid.,  IV.  296  -  303.    Clarke's  James  II. 


234 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


June  28. 


As  for  the  inhabitants  of  New  York,  they  feared  De  Buyter  much  less 
than  they  did  the  privateers  who  were  prowling  about  in  pursuit  of 
plunder.  Nicolls  was  painfully  embarrassed.  He  had  received  no  sup- 
plies whatever  from  England  since  the  surrender.  The  fort  was  weak; 
he  had  no  war- vessels ;  and  the  soldiers  were  in  want  of  the  commonest 
necessaries.  But  he  was  as  loyal  as  he  was  brave.  He  at  once  issued  a 
proclamation  for  the  confiscation  of  the  West  India  Company's  estate, 
which  had  already  been  attached,  and  sent  orders  to  New  England  in 
relation  to  Dutch  prizes  in  their  ports.  He  then  called  a  meeting 
of  the  citizens,  to  consult  about  fortifying  the  city  on  the  river 
side.  As  on  many  other  important  occasions,  he  presided  in  person. 
His  opening  address  was  a  marvel  of  oratory.  He  assured  the  people 
that  he  should  constrain  no  one 
to  fight  against  his  own  nation. 
In  asking  aid  in  the  matter  of 
defense,  he  agreed  to  furnish 
palisades  and  wampum.  Cornelis 
Steenwyck  responded.  He  was 
a  stanch  republican,  of  the  old 
Belgian  stock,  intelligent  and  lib- 
eral-minded ;  and  he  probably 
exercised  a  more  healthful  influ- 
ence over  the  public  mind  than 
any  other  man  of  his  time.  He 
said  that  he  should  always  be  a 
faithful  subject,  and  would  con- 
tribute according  to  his  means. 
But  he  did  not  see  how  the 
Dutch  residents  could  enlist  on 
the  public  works  until  their  arms 

were  restored  to  them.  One  and  another  arose  with  the  same  objection. 
Some  said  the  town  was  strong  enough  as  it  was.    There  were  many 

otherexcuses. 
No  direct  re- 
sult was  ob- 
tained. It 
was  evident 
to  Nicolls 
that  he  should 

Autograph  of  Steenwyck.  ftUe  to 

command  very  little  assistance  from  a  community  which  would  welcome 
the  restoration  of  Dutch  authority. 


Portrait  of  Steenwyck. 


THE  PLAGUE  IN  LONDON. 


235 


He  sent  an  elaborate  statement  of  New  York  affairs  to  the  king  by 
Cartwright,  who,  quite  discouraged  with  his  unprofitable  labors  in  Bos- 
ton, and  in  great  physical  torture  with  the  gout,  sailed  in  June  for  Lon- 
don. He  was  captured  at  sea  by  a  Dutch  privateer,  who,  having  taken 
away  all  his  papers,  landed  him  in  Spain.  "  It  is  for  your  health,  sir," 
said  the  humorous  sea-captain,  as  they  parted  company ;  "  the  mild 
southern  climate  always  cures  the  gout." 

Before  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities,  France  had  endeavored  to  recon- 
cile the  differences  between  England  and  the  United  Provinces.  As  the 
war  progressed,  Louis  secretly  sympathized  with  Charles,  while  at  the 
same  time  he  wrote  to  his  minister  at  the  Hague,  that,  from  all  he  could 
learn,  the  rights  of  the  Dutch  were  the  best  founded.  "  It  is  a  species 
of  mockery,"  he  went  on  to  say,  "  to  make  believe  that  those  who  have 
built  and  peopled  a  city,  without  any  one  saying  a  word  to  hinder  them, 
woi;ld  have  been  tolerated  as  strangers  in  France  or  in  England ;  and 
habitation,  joined  to  long  possession,  are,  in  my  judgment,  two  suffi- 
ciently good  titles."  At  the  same  time  he  advised  that,  since  New  Neth- 
erland  was  already  lost  to  the  Dutch,  it  be  abandoned,  for  the  sake  of 
peace.  De  Witt  declining  any  further  overtures  in  that  direction,  Louis 
made  propositions  once  more  to  Charles  without  avail,  and  then  reluc- 
tantly fulfilled  a  promise  of  long  standing  to  assist  Holland.  He  came 
to  this  decision  on  the  20th  of  January,  1666.  The  next  month,  England 
declared  war  against  France. 

In  the  mean  time,  a  fierce  conflict  had  raged.  On  the  13th  of  June, 
1665,  a  battle  was  fought  off  the  coast  of  Suffolk,  in  which  the  ship  of 
Admiral  Opdam  was  blown  up,  and  the  Duke  of  York  returned 

r  r  June  13. 

in  triumph  to  London.  An  English  medal  was  struck,  bearing 
the  words  "  Quatuor  maria  vindico  "  —  I  claim  four  seas.  When  the 
news  reached  New  York,  the  English  residents  held  a  grand  jubilee  over 
the  personal  safety  of  the  Duke.  But  the  bonfire  which  celebrated  the 
victory  in  London  glared  over  a  doomed  city.  A  pestilence  broke  out, 
surpassing  in  horror  any  that  had  visited  the  British  Isles  for  three  cen- 
turies. The  appalled  court  fled  from  Whitehall.  The  great  city  was 
desolated.  Within  five  months,  more  than  one  hundred  thousand  lives 
were  suddenly  ended.  The  awful  silence  of  the  streets  was  only  broken 
by  the  nightly  round  of  the  dead-cart. 

Naval  defeat  almost  produced  a  revolution  in  Holland  The  return  of 
De  Buyter,  however,  again  inspired  confidence.  Other  expeditions  were 
fitted  out.  De  Witt  himself  went  with  the  troops,  and  soon  came  to  a 
perfect  understanding  of  sea  affairs.  In  the  effort  to  get  the  great  clumsy 
Vessels  of  the  Dutch  through  the  Zuyder  Zee,  he  went  oulj  in  a  boat 


236  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


himself,  sounding  carefully,  and  by  degrees  so  mastering  the  elements, 
that  he  may  be  said  to  have  avenged  in  some  sense  his  former  indigni- 
ties by  keeping  his  ships  at  sea  long  after  the  English  fleet  was  obliged 
to  put  in.  Several  naval  engagements  occurred,  and  some  frigates  were 
disabled  on  both  sides  ;  the  English  were  sullen  and  disappointed,  and 
the  Dutch  encouraged  and  hopeful. 

Thus  departed  the  year  1665.    Parliament  still  voted  supplies ;  but 
the  English  nation  was  but  a  step  removed  from  anarchy.    Rents  had 
fallen   until  the  income  of  every  landed  proprietor  was  so 
1666.  jjjjjjjjjjgjjejj  tnat  a  waji  0f  agricultural  distress  arose  from  all 
the  shires  in  the  kingdom.    The  gentry  paid  their  accumulated  taxes, 
breathing  curses  upon  the  king's  favorites  and  upon  the  ignominious 
war.    Algernon  Sidney  went  to  the  Hague  and  urged  l)e  Witt  to  invade 
England,  promising  him  aid  ;  a  strong  party  in  that  country  having  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  re-establishing  the  Commonwealth.    This  proposition 
was  declined  by  the  great  statesman.    But,  as  the  spring  advanced,  another 
naval  contest,  occupying  four  days,  took  place  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Thames.    Instead  of  the  Duke  of  York,  Prince  Rupert  and  the 
Duke  of  Albermarle  commanded  the  English  fleet.    De  Witt  went  with 
his  generals,  and  the  chain  shot  which  he  is  said  to  have  invented  was 
at  this  time  first  introduced,  and  so  cut  to  pieces  the  rigging  of  the 
English  that  the  Dutch  came  off  victorious.    Before  the  end  of  the  sum- 
mer, the  fleets  engaged  again  to  the  advantage  of  the  English, 
Aug  4  and  De  Witt  swore  that  he  would  never  sheathe  his  sword  until 
he  had  had  his  revenge. 

A  terrible  conflagration  completed  England's  miseries  for  1666.  Five 
sixths  of  the  proud  city  of  London  were  laid  in  ashes.  The  summer  had 
been  the  driest  known  for  years.  The  citizens  who  had  been  driven 
away  by  the  plague  were  returning ;  the  merchants  counted  upon  peace 
before  winter,  and  were  preparing  to  go  to  the  Continental  markets.  On 
the  2d  of  September,  a  fire  broke  out  which  lasted  four  days 
Sept  2'  and  nights,  and  consumed  every  house,  church,  and  hall  in  ninety 
parishes  between  the  Tower  and  Temple  Bar. 

The  year  1667  opened  gloomily.    Calamity  followed  calamity.  The 
incapacity  of  the  English  statesmen  who  were  in  favor  with  (lie 

10G7 

king  became  more  and  more  apparent.  All  schemes  of  an  offen- 
sive war  were  abandoned.  Presently  it  appeared  that  even  a  defensive 
war  was  too  much  for  the  administration.  The  ships  became  leaky  and 
the  dock-yards  were  unguarded.  De  Witt  was  promptly  informed,  and 
sent  De  Ruyter  up  the  Thames  to  Chatham,  where  he  burned  all  the  finest 
vessels  in  the  English  navy,  sending  terror  into  every  heart  in  thc^reahn. 


ENGLAND'S  DISGRACE. 


237 


Charles  was  compared  to  Nero,  who  sang  while  Home  was  burning.  At 
that  very  moment,  he  was  surrounded  by  the  ladies  of  his  court,  and 
amused  himself  by  hunting  a  moth  about  the  supper-room. 

The  English  regarded  De  Witt's  success  in  the  light  of  a  national  dis- 
grace. The  States-General  haughtily  dictated  the  terms  of  a  treaty  which 
was  soon  after  signed  at  Breda.  Singularly  enough,  they  surren- 
dered New  Netherland,  the  very  occasion  and  prize  of  this  long  July  31' 
contention,  for  Poleron,  Surinam,  and  Nova  Scotia.  The  West  India 
Company  shareholders  and  the  regents  of  Amsterdam  took  exceptions  ;  but 
otherwise  there  was  general  satisfaction  in  the  United  Provinces.  The 
same  day  another  treaty  was  signed  between  France  and  England,  by 
which  Acadia  was  restored  to  Louis.  Bells  rang  in  London,  but  there 
was  little  music  in  them.  No  bonfires  expressed  the  national  joy,  since 
bonfires  were  costly,  and  there  was  no  joy  to  express.  Public  sentiment 
both  in  and  out  of  Parliament  set  stronger  than  ever  against  the  king. 
What  was  New  York,  that  it  should  have  been  accepted  in  exchange  for 
such  profitable  places  as  Poleron,  Surinam,  and  Nova  Scotia  ?  Massa- 
chusetts shared  largely  in  the  same  bitter  feeling.  Popular  indignation 
was  aimed  chiefly  at  Clarendon,  and  Charles  adroitly  shielded  himself 
behind  his  austere  and  faithful  minister.  England  must  have  a  victim ; 
and  Charles,  who  had  really  grown  weary  of  Clarendon's  imposing  ways, 
deprived  him  of  the  Great  Seal  at  the  very  moment  when  he  was  affixing 
it  to  the  proclamation  of  the  Peace  of  Breda.  "  I  must  assuage  the  anger 
of  Parliament,"  was  his  kingly  excuse. 

Innocent  New  York,  the  cause  of  all  these  disturbances,  was  becoming 
more  interesting  abroad  than  within  her  own  borders.  Improvements  were 
■at  a  dead  stand.  Her  merchants  were  hampered  in  all  their  business  oper- 
ations by  sea  and  by  land.  Her  ships  were  seized  by  Dutch  and  French 
privateers  almost  within  sight  of  her  harbor.  Her  trade  was  suspended. 
Nicolls  was  compelled  to  use  his  own  private  means  for  tbe  public  good. 
There  was  little  direct  intercourse  with  England.  Necessaries  of  all  kinds 
grew  very  scarce.  When,  after  a  long  captivity,  Cartwright  reached  Lon- 
don, and  explained  the  condition  of  affairs  in  the  colonies,  the  Duke  sent 
to  New  York  two  ships,  laden  with  supplies.  He  wrote  to  Nicolls  a  letter 
full  of  commendation.  The  king  did  the  same,  inclosing  a  present  of 
two  hundred  pounds.  At  the  same  time,  he  ordered  a  strict  guard  kept 
against  the  French  in  Canada. 

This  caution  had  been  anticipated.  And  the  meager  help  came  at  a 
moment  when  Nicolls  was  well-nigh  disheartened  in  his  herculean  efforts 
to  harmonize  the  various  elements  of  discord.  In  the  summer  of  1 665,  a 
terrible  war  had  broken  out  between  two  tribes  of  Indians  at  the  North 


238 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Two  Dutch  farmers  who  lived  out  in  the  clearings  were  killed.  Mayor 
Willett,  of  New  York,  went  to  confer  with  the  Albany  magistrates  on  the 
subject.  Two  Indians  were  arrested  for  the  murder,  and,  by  order  of  the 
governor,  one  of  them  was  hanged  and  the  other  sent  in  chains  to  Fort 
James.  A  great  effort  was  then  made  to  secure  peace  between  the  two 
contending  tribes.  Nicolls  went  to  Albany,  where  he  was  met  by  Gov- 
ernor Winthrop,  of  Connecticut,  and  the  arduous  work  was  accomplished. 
Captain  John  Baker  was  left  in  command  of  Fort  Albany,  with  nine 
cannon,  and  a  garrison  of  sixty  men. 

On  his  return,  Nicolls  visited  Esopus,  where  the  towns-people  and  the 
soldiers  were  in  a  quarrel.  His  presence,  and  his  discreet  counsels,  al- 
layed the  feverish  temper  of  all  parties.  Brodhead,  as  the  chief  officer  of 
militia,  was  instructed  "  to  keep  constant  guard,  cause  the  village  author- 
ities to  be  respected,  prevent  his  soldiers  from  abusing  the  Indians,  avoid 
harshness  of  words  on  all  occasions,  seek  rather  to  reconcile  differences 
than  to  be  the  head  of  a  party,  and  abstain  from  prejudice  against  the 
Dutch,  who,"  continued  Nicolls,  "  if  well  treated,  are  not  as  malicious  as 
some  will  seek  to  persuade  you  that  they  are."  He  also  executed  an 
important  treaty  with  the  Esopus  Indians,  by  which  he  secured  for  the 
Duke  a  large  tract  of  laud  to  the  West,  to  offer  as  an  inducement  to 
planters  who  might  wish  to  settle  in  the  province. 

At  the  Court  of  Assizes,  held  in  New  York  in  September  of  the  same 
year,  the  sachems  of  the  Long  Island  Indians  appeared,  and  agreed  to 
submit  to  the  government.  Shortly  after,  David  Gardiner,  in  com- 
pliance with  the  requirement  of  the  code,  brought  to  Nicolls  his 
grant  of  the  Isle  of  Wight,  or  Gardiner's  Island  (which  had  been  originally 
made  to  his  father,  in  1640,  by  the  agent  of  the  Earl  of  Stirling),  and 
received  a  new  patent  of  confirmation.  An  interesting  criminal  case  was 
also  decided  at  this  first  Court  of  Assizes.  Ralph  Hall  and  his  wife  Mary 
were  arraigned  by  the  magistrates  of  Brookhaven  for  murder  by  means  of 
witchcraft.  It  was  claimed  that  two  deaths  had  been  caused  by  their 
"  detestable  and  wicked  arts."  Twelve  jurymen,  one  of  whom  was  the 
afterwards  conspicuous  Jacob  Leisler,  rendered  a  verdict  to  the  effect 
that  there  were  suspicious  circumstances  in  regard  to  the  woman,  but 
not  of  sufficient  importance  to  warrant  the  forfeit  of  her  life  ;  the  man 
was  acquitted.  The  court  sentenced  Hall  to  give  a  recognizance  for  his 
wife's  appearance  from  sessions  to  sessions,  and  guarantee  the  good 
behavior  of  lx)th  while  they  remained  under  the  government.1 

The  owners  of  Shelter  Island,  Thomas  Middleton,  and  Constant  and 

1  One  of  the  last  acts  of  Nicolls,  just  before  he  left  New  York,  was  to  release  Hall  ami  hit 
wife  from  their  bonds. 


THE  MANORS  OF  GARDINER  AND  SHELTER  ISLANDS.  239 


Nathaniel  Sylvester,  soon  followed  the  example  of  Gardiner,  and  obtained 
confirmation  of  their  title.  In  consideration  of  seventy-five  pounds  of 
beef  and  seventy-five  pounds  of  pork  towards  the  support  of  the  New 
York  government,  they  were  released  forever  from  taxes  and  military  duty. 
A  patent  was  issued  to  the  Sylvesters,  erecting  the  island  into  a  manor 
with  all  the  privileges  belonging.1 

The  Long  Island  inhabitants  chafed  under  what  they  styled  "  arbitrary 
power."  They  were  outspoken  and  aggressive,  and  gave  Nicolls  more 
trouble  than  all  the  Dutch  population  together.  They  clamored  for  a 
General  Court,  after  the  manner  of  New  England.  In  many  instances, 
they  openly  defied  the  Code  of  Laws.  The  danger  of  rebellion  was  immi- 
nent. The  governor  went  among  them,  but  with  less  success  than  he 
had  reason  to  anticipate.  Finally,  adopting  a  vigorous  course,  he  made  it 
an  indictable  offense  to  reproach  or  defame  any  one  acting  for  the  govern- 
ment, and  arrested,  tried,  and  severely  punished  several  persons.2  He 
then  declared  that  every  land  patent  in  the  province  which  was  not  im- 
mediately renewed  should  be  regarded  as  invalid ;  the  cpiitrents  and  fees 
being  actually  necessary  for  the  support  of  the  government.  In  New 
York,  and  in  the  Dutch  towns,  the  payments  for  new  patents  were  made 
easy.  Van  Eensselaer  created  quite  an  excitement  by  claiming  Albany 
as  a  part  of  Eensselaerswick.  Nicolls  wrote  to  him  that  the  question 
must  be  settled  by  the  Duke  of  York,  but  added,  "  Do  not  grasp  at  too 
much  authority  ;  if  you  imagine  there  is  pleasure  in  titles  of  government, 
I  wish  that  I  could  serve  your  appetite,  for  I  have  found  only  trouble." 

The  natural  consequences  of  the  war  were  apparent  on  every  hand. 
There  were  altercations  between  English  and  Dutch  laborers  ;  the  officers 
of  the  garrisons  were  not  always  prudent ;  and  the  common  soldiers  were 
given  to  roguery.  On  one  occasion,  three  of  the  New  York  garrison  were 
convicted  of  having  stolen  goods  from  a  gentleman's  cellar,  and  it  was 
determined  that  one  of  them  must  die.    The  fatal  lot  fell  to  Thomas 

1  The  islands  of  Martha's  Vineyard  and  Nantucket  were  included  hy  name  in  the  Duke's 
patent.  An  independent  government  had  heen  exercised  over  them  by  Thomas  Mayhew  and 
his  son,  who  purchased  them  of  Lord  Stirling  ;  but,  in  January,  1668,  Nicolls  issued  a  special 
commission  to  Mayhew,  thus  settling  the  point  of  jurisdiction  beyond  question.  Fisher's 
Island,  one  of  the  gems  of  the  Sound,  a  few  miles  from  Stonington  —  an  island  nine  miles 
long  and  one  mile  broad  —  had  been  granted,  in  1640,  by  Massachusetts  to  John  Winthrop, 
but  as  it  was  included  in  the  Duke's  patent,  Winthrop  was  obliged  to  apply  to  Nicolls  for  a 
confirmation  of  his  title,  and  it  was  elected  into  a  manor,  and  made  independent  of  any 
jurisdiction  whatever.    It  now  forms  a  pari  of  Suffolk  County. 

2  Arthur  Smith,  of  Brookhaven,  was  convicted  of  saying  "  the  king  was  none  of  his  king, 
and  the  governor  none  of  his  governor,"  and  sentenced  to  the  stocks.  William  Lawrence,  of 
Flushing,  was  fined  and  compelled  to  make  public  acknowledgment  for  a  similar  remark. 
Court  of  Assizes,  II.  82  -94. 


240 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Weall.  On  the  evening  before  the  day  fixed  for  the  execution,  some  of 
the  women  of  the  city  besought  the  governor  to  spare  the  culprit's  life. 
All  the  privates  in  the  garrison  joined  in  a  petition  to  the  same  effect ; 
and,  yielding  to  the  influence,  Nicolls  drew  up  the  soldiers  on  parade  and 
in  a  characteristic  speech  pronounced  pardon. 

A  complication  of  difficulties  between  the  French  and  the  Indians, 
between  the  different  tribes  of  Indians,  and  between  the  Jesuits,  the 
Indians,  and  the  New  York  colonists,  to  the  north,  kept  Nicolls  in 
continual  anxiety.  He  had  reason  to  apprehend  mischief  from  the 
French ;  the  Mohawks,  with  all  their  pledges,  were  very  uncertain ;  the 
New  England  colonies  were  not  in  a  condition  to  render  efficient  aid 
in  an  emergency ;  and  the  prospect  was  as  dismal  as  could  well  be 
imagined. 

Nicolls  was  so  oppressed  with  financial  embarrassments  that  he  wrote 
to  both  the  Duke  and  the  king,  begging  to  be  relieved  from  "  a  govern- 
ment which  kept  him  more  busy  than  any  of  his  former  positions,  and 
had  drawn  from  his  purse  every  dollar  he  possessed."  His  detailed 
account  of  the  condition  of  New  York  affairs  was  most  pitiful.  "  Such 
is  our  strait,"  he  said,  "  that  not  one  soldier  to  this  day  since  I  brought 
them  out  of  England  has  been  in  a  pair  of  sheets,  or  upon  any  sort  of 
bed  but  canvas  and  straw." 

A  response  came  tardily.  The  Duke  consented  to  the  return  of 
Nicolls ;  but  it  was  not  until  after  the  Peace  of  Breda  had  set  his  mind 
1668.  at  rest  concerning  the  immediate  possibility  of  losing  his  prov- 
jan.  1.  ince.  The  news  of  the  treaty  came  with  the  same  ship  which 
brought  the  recall  of  the  weary  governor.  Peace  was  a  charmed  word 
in  Dutch  as  well  as  English  ears ;  politics,  feuds,  and  bickerings  were 
forgotten,  in  the  universal  gladness ;  vague,  wearing,  corroding  apprehen- 
sion was  succeeded  by  intense  relief;  business  might  again  be  resumed. 

Presently  came  the  official  announcement  of  Nicolls's  intended  depart- 
ure, and  there  was  universal  sorrow.  He  had  made  himself  exceedingly 
popular.  The  leading  Dutch  residents  were,  if  possible,  more  attached  to 
him  than  his  English  colleagues ;  but  all  were  united  in  one  deep  feeling 
of  regret  that  he  must  leave  the  country. 


COLONEL  FRANCIS  LOVELACE. 


241 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

1668  - 1673. 
COLONEL  FRANCIS  LOVELACE. 

Colonel  Francis  Lovelace. — Nicolls  and  Lovelace.  —  Cornelis  Steenwtck's  House. 
—  The  City  Livery.  —  Nicholas  Bayard.  —  Fever  and  Ague  in  New  York.  — 
The  End  of  Commercial  Intercourse  with  Holland.  —  Louis  XIV.  France.  — 
The  Triple  Alliance. — Social  Visiting  in  New  York  in  1669. — A  Prosperous 
Era. — The  Dutch  Reformed  Church.  —  The  Sabbath  in  New  York  two  hun- 
dred Years  ago.  —  Dress  of  the  Period.  —  The  Lutheran  Minister.  —  Witch- 
craft.—  The  First  Exchange.  —  Rebellion  on  Long  Island. — The  Purchase 
of  Staten  Island.  —  Charles  II.  and  Louis  XIV.  —  The  Prince  of  Orange.  — 
Assassination  of  the  De  Witts. — War  between  England  and  Holland. — 
Fierce  Battles  in  Europe. — The  Death  of  Colonel  Nicolls. — The  First 
Post  between  New  York  and  Boston.  —  Lovelace  in  Hartford.  —  The  Dutch 
Squadron  in  New  York  Bay.  —  Capture  of  New  York  by  the  Dutch.  —  New 
Orange. 

COLONEL  FRANCIS  LOVELACE  was  appointed  to  succeed  Nicolls. 
He  was  the  son  of  Baron  Richard  Lovelace  of  Hurley.  The  ances- 
tral home  of  the  family  was  some  thirty  miles  from  London,  on  the 
Berkshire  side  of  the  Thames ;  a  great  imposing  country  mansion,  which 
was  standing  until  recently,  with  spacious  grounds  and  terraced 
gardens,  covering  the  site  of  the  ancient  Benedictine  monastery,  1668' 
from  which  it  was  named  "  Lady  Place." 

Colonel  Lovelace  was  one  of  the  gentlemen  of  that  focus  of  politi- 
cal intrigue  and  fashionable  gayety  the  Court  of  Charles  II.  He  had 
been  one  of  the  supporters  of  the  royal  cause,  —  zealous,  even  to  the 
point  of  incurring  imprisonment  in  the  tower  by  Cromwell,  on  a  charge 
of  high  treason.  This  only  increased  his  favor  with  the  king  at  the 
Restoration,  and  he  was  made  one  of  the  knights  of  the  "  Royal  Oak," 
an  order  instituted  as  a  reward  for  the  faithful.  He  was  a  handsome, 
agreeable,  polished  man  of  the  world,  —  upright,  generous,  and  amiable. 
But  he  lacked  energy,  and  that  discrimination  which  the  successful  con- 
duct of  government  requires  at  every  step.  He  had  a  fine  perception 
16 


242 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  XEW  YORK. 


of  probabilities,  and  a  profound  conviction  of  tbe  future  destiny  of  New 
York.  At  the  same  time,  he  was  of  the  narrow  type  of  mind,  inclined 
to  move  along  a  single  line  of  thought,  like  a  railway  in  its  grooves, 
and  he  possessed  very  little  of  that  subtle  sagacity  which  brings  conflict- 
ing elements  into  one  harmonious  whole. 

He  had  visited  Long  Island  in  1650,  under  a  pass  from  Cromwell's 
Council  of  State,  and  had  gone  thence  to  Virginia.  But  his  knowledge 
of  America  was  limited,  and  when  he  reached  New  York,  in  the  spring  of 
1668,  he  was  without  any  valuable  preparation  for  the  work  before  him. 
The  Duke  wrote,  requesting  Nicolls  to  remain  a  few  months  longer, 
that  Lovelace  might  have  an  opportunity  to  study  affairs.  The  firsl 
time  the  latter  presided  in  the  Admiralty  Court,  Nicolls  sat  by  his  side 
The  two  governors  journeyed  together  to  various  parts  of  the  province. 
They  spent  one  week  in  Albany,  were  feted  by  Van  Rensselaer  at  his 
manor-house,  and  smoked  the  pipe  of  peace  with  the  Mohawk  sachems. 
On  their  return,  they  stopped  two  days  in  Esopus,  and  M  ere  the  guesl  - 
of  William  Beekman.  They  looked  into  military  and  other  matters,  and 
visiting  Thomas  Chambers  at  his  manor,  "  passed  an  evening  there  of 
great  hilarity."  They  traveled  over  Long  Island  on  horseback,  stopping 
at  all  the  principal  towns.  They  went  to  Hartford,  and  M  ere  entertained 
by  Governor  Winthrop  in  his  most  hospitable  and  courtly  style;  and 
they  spent  one  day  with  the  dignitaries  of  New  Haven. 

As  the  time  drew  near  for  Nicolls's  departure,  the  most  sincere  sorrow 
was  manifested  on  all  sides.  He  who  had  come  among  the  people  as  a 
conqueror  was  regarded  as  a  loyal  and  trustworthy  friend.  He  had  ruled 
with  such  discretion  and  moderation,  that  even  they  who  had  disliked 
his  orders  had  come  to  love  the  man  that  had  taken  so  much  pains  to 
avoid  the  unnecessary  wounding  of  their  prejudices.  Maverick  wrote  to 
Lord  Arlington,  "  he  has  kept  persons  of  different  judgements  and  of 
diverse  nations  in  peace  and  quietness  during  a  time  when  a  great  part 
of  the  world  was  in  wars ;  and  as  to  the  Indians,  they  were  never 
brought  into  such  peacable  posture  and  faire  correspondence  as  they 
now  are."  Every  one  delighted  in  doing  him  honor.  The  city  corpora- 
tion gave  him  a  notable  dinner,  the  scene  of  which  was  the  great  square 
stone  house  of  Cornelia  Steenwyckj  the  mayor,  on  the  corner  of  White- 
hall and  Bridge  Streets.  A  slight  glimpse  of  the  inside  of  this  antique 
dwelling  may  be  obtained  from  the  inventory  of  its  furniture,  found 
among  the  old  records,  one  fragment  of  which  is  as  follows:  "Handsome 
carpets,  marble  tables,  velvet  chairs  with  fine  silver  lace,  Russia  leather 
chairs,  French  nutwood  book-ease,  Alabaster  images,  tall  clock,  flowered 
tabby  chimney-cloth,  tapestry  work  for  cushions,  muslin  curtains  in  front 


THE  CITY  LIVERY. 


243 


parlor  and  flowered  tabby  curtains  in  drawing-room,  eleven  paintings  by 
old  Antwerp  masters,  etc," 

The  leading  families  in  the  province  were  represented  among  the 
guests  on  this  memorable 
occasion.  Lovelace  wrote 
in  a  private  letter  to  the 
king,  "  I  find  some  of  these 
people  have  the  breeding 
of  courts,  and  I  cannot 
conceive  how  such  is  ac- 
quired." On  the  28th  of 
August,  Nicolls  took  his 
final  farewell,  escorted  to 
the  vessel  in  which  he  was' 
to  embark  for  Europe  by 

the   largest   procession    Of  Steenwyck's  House. 

the  mihtary  and  citizens  which  had  as  yet  been  seen  on  Manhattan  Island. 

Cornelis  Steenwyck  occupied  the  mayor's  chair  three  years.  It  was 
during  this  period  that  Thomas  Delavall  was  sent  to  England  by  Love- 
lace on  matters  of  business,  and,  upon  his  return,  brought  from  the 
Duke  of  York  a  present  of  seven  gowns  for  the  aldermen,  to  be  worn 
upon  state  occasions,  and  a  silver  mace  to  be  carried  by  a  mace-bearer, 
at  the  head  of  the  procession  of  city  magistrates ;  also,  an  English  seal 
for  the  province  of  New  York.  A  city  livery  was  from  that  time  worn 
by  beadles  and  other  subordinate  officers,  the  colors  being  blue  tipped 
with  orange.  Steenwyck  was  one  of  the  governor's  counselors,  and  at 
one  time  was  appointed  governor  pro  tern.,  during  the  temporary  absence 
of  Lovelace.  He  was  a  man  of  sterling  character,  and  filled  his  various 
public  positions  with  dignity  and  honor. 

Lovelace  made  no  attempt  to  disturb  the  policy  by  which  Nicolls  had 
administered  the  government  to  such  general  satisfaction.  Among  his 
counselors  at  various  dates  were,  besides  Steenwyck,  Thomas  Willett  and 
Thomas  Delavall,  former  mayors  of  the  city;  Ealph  Whitfield,  Isaac 
Bedlow,  Francis  Boone,  and  Cornelis  Van  Ruyven,  aldermen ;  Captain 
John  Manning,  the  city  sheriff;  Matthias  Nicolls,  the  provincial  secre- 
tary ;  and  Dudley  Lovelace  and  Thomas  Lovelace,  the  governor's  younger 
brothers.  But  he  found  his  field  of  labor  hedged  in  by  many  thorns. 
Conflicting  claims  about  lands  stirred  up  quarrels  in  every  part  of  the 
province.  He  had  no  sooner  quelled  one  than  another  broke  out.  The 
difficulties  of  the  situation  were  greatly  aggravated  by  the  absence  of 
any  uniform  nationality.    Some  of  the  habits  and  customs  were  Dutch, 


244 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


some  French,  some  English,  some  Christian,  and  some  heathen.  The 
lower  classes  were  intemperate,  unruly,  and  sometimes  shockingly 
profane ;  and  the  more  respectable  and  religious  inhabitants  were  con- 
stantly entering  complaints  against  them.  Extremes  of  evil  and  good 
were  singularly  linked  together,  and  the  barbarous  punishments  which 
English  usage  warranted  seemed  the  only  safeguard  against  anarchy. 

Nicholas  Bayard,  who  had  developed  a  remarkable  talent  for  mathe- 
matics, was  appointed  surveyor  of  the  province.  He  was  noted,  besides, 
for  his  varied  attainments  and  for  a  ready  wit,  which  enabled  him  to  ren- 
der important  service  to  Lovelace,  whom  he  usually  accompanied  when 
the  governor  was  compelled  to  make  personal  investigations  into  the 
boundaries  of  farms  and  manors. 

One  of  the  great  wants  which  sorely  oppressed  Lovelace  was  that  of  a 
printing-press.  He  sent  to  Cambridge  for  a  printer,  but  could  not  obtain 
one.  There  was  no  restriction  in  this  respect  on  the  part  of  the  Duke  of 
York,  as  has  generally  been  supposed.  It  was  not  until  1686  that  James, 
as  king  of  England,  restrained  the  liberty  of  printing  in  New  York. 
The  immediate  cause  of  Lovelace's  enlightened  effort  was  the  desire  to 
publish  a  catechism,  which,  together  with  a  few  chapters  of  the  Bible, 
the  Rev.  Thomas  James,  the  first  minister  of  Easthampton,  had  trans- 
lated, under  the  auspices  of  Nicolls,  for  the  use  of  the  Indians.1 

Fever  and  ague  prevailed  in  the  city  to  such  an  extent  during  the 
autumn  of  this  year,  that  it  was  regarded  as  a  serious  epidemic, 

Nov  21 

'  and  the  governor  proclaimed  the  21st  of  November  as  a  day  of 
fasting,  humiliation,  and  prayer  on  this  account. 

New  Jersey,  which  under  the  rule  of  Philip  Carteret  had  now  attained 
the  age  of  three  years,  was  a  constant  source  of  annoyance  to  New  York. 
Nicolls,  when  he  reached  London,  explained  to  the  Duke  that  his  grant 
to  Berkeley  and  Carteret  had  not  only  deprived  him  of  a  vast  tract  of  his 
very  best  land,  but  ceded  away  some  promising  Dutch  villages  withiu 
three  or  four  miles  of  the  metropolis.  About  the  same  time,  Maverick 
wrote  to  the  Duke  in  a  mournful  strain,  deprecating  the  worthlessness  of 
the  greater  portion  of  that  part  of  the  patent  which  he  still  retained. 
He  said, "  Long  Island  is  very  poor  and  inconsiderable,  and,  besides  the 
city  of  New  York,  there  are  but  two  Dutch  towns  of  any  importance, 
Esopus  and  Albany.  I  suppose  it  was  not  thought  that  Lord  Berkeley 
would  come  so  near,  nor  the  inconvenience  of  his  doing  so  considered." 
The  Duke  grew  uneasy,  and  attempted  to  negotiate  an  exchange  with 

1  Brodliead,  II.  145.  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.,  XXXVII.  485.  T/wmas's  History  of  Printing, 
I.  275  ;  II.  90,  286.  Dunlap,  I.  126.  Thompson,  I.  817.  Wood,  41.  Col.  Doc.,  III.  216  -  219, 
331  -  334,  375. 


END  OF  COMMERCIAL  INTERCOURSE  WITH  HOLLAND.  245 


Berkeley  and  Carteret  for  some  lands  on  the  Delaware ;  but  the  arrange- 
ment fell  through,  owing  undoubtedly  to  Lord  Baltimore's  claim  to  the 
west  side  of  the  Delaware.  Staten  Island,  however,  was  "  adjudged  to 
belong  to  New  York." 

Meanwhile  the  Lords  of  Trade  complained  that  the  English  merchants 
were  jealous  concerning  the  business  that  was  lost  to  them  by  the  continu- 
ance of  the  old  commercial  intercourse  between  New  York  and  Holland. 
They  claimed  that  it  was  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  the  Navigation  Act, 
and  that  the  sixth  and  seventh  articles  of  the  capitulation  had  reference 
only  to  the  first  six  months  after  the  surrender.  The  king's  promise  to 
Stuyvesant  had  induced  Van  Cortlandt,  Cousseau,  and  some  others  to 
unite  in  ordering  one  large  ship  from  Holland  to  New  York.  Another 
was  upon  the  eve  of  sailing,  when  Sir  William  Temple,  who  had  suc- 
ceeded Downing  as  minister  to  the  Hague,  was  directed  to  notify  inter- 
ested parties  that  all  passes  granted  under  the  order  of  23d  October, 
1667,  viz.  that  "  three  Dutch  ships  "  might  "  freely  trade  with  New  York 
for  the  space  of  seven  years,"  were  henceforth  recalled  and  annulled. 
When  Nicolls  heard  of  this  order,  he  hastened  to  Whitehall  and,  in 
a  personal  interview  with  the  king,  obtained  permission  for  the 
vessel  just  prepared  to  make  one  voyage.  Shortly  after,  private 
letters  from  New  York  so  plainly  revealed  the  grievous  disappointment 
of  some  of  the  merchants,  who,  relying  upon  the  pledge  of  Charles, 
had  invested  heavily,  that  this  able  and  justice-loving  ex-governor  set 
himself  energetically  at  work  and  with  much  difficulty  obtained  1669. 
an  order  in  council  for  the  sailing  of  one  more  merchant  vessel  Feb- 24- 
from  Holland  to  New  York.  This  was  announced  as  positively  the  last 
Dutch  ship  which  should  ever  "  come  on  that  account "  to  Manhattan. 

The  English  statesmen  had  long  been  watching  with  dismay  the  steady 
growth  of  France.  The  personal  qualities  of  the  French  king  added 
greatly  to  the  power  and  importance  of  that  realm.  No  sovereign  ever 
sat  upon  a  throne  with  more  dignity  and  grace.  He  was  his  own  prime 
minister,  and  performed  the  duties  of  that  office  with  wisdom  and  firm- 
ness the  more  remarkable  from  the  fact  that  from  his  cradle  he  had  been 
surrounded  with  fawning  flatterers.  He  was  as  unprincipled  as  Charles 
II.,  but  by  no  means  as  indolent.  He  was  a  Roman  Catholic,  but  it  was 
not  until  a  later  date  that,  through  austere  devotion,  he  gave  his  court 
the  aspect  of  a  monastery.  His  transactions  with  foreign  powers  were 
characterized  by  some  generosity,  but  no  justice.  His  territory  was  large, 
compact,  fertile,  well  placed  both  for  attack  and  defense,  situated  in  a 
good  climate,  and  inhabited  by  a  brave,  active,  and  ingenious  people,  who 
were  implicitly  subservient  to  the  control  of  a  single  mind.    His  revenues 


246  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


far  exceeded  those  of  any  other  potentate.  His  army  was  excellently 
disciplined,  and  commanded  by  the  most  noted  of  living  generals.  France 
was,  just  then,  beyond  all  doubt,  the  greatest  power  in  Europe  and  stood 
like  a  perpetual  menace  to  the  rest  of  the  world.  It  must  be  remembered 
that  the  Empire  of  Russia,  now  so  powerful,  was  then  as  entirely  out  of 
the  system  of  European  politics  as  Abyssinia  or  Siam  ;  that  the  house  of 
Brandenburg  was  then  hardly  more  important  than  the  house  of  Saxony ; 
and  that  the  Republic  of  the  United  States  had  not  even  begun  to  exist. 

Spain  had  been,  for  many  years,  on  the  decline ;  and  France,  pressing 
upon  her,  was  in  the  full  career  of  conquest.  The  United  Provinces, 
prosperous  and  rich  as  they  then  were,  saw  with  anxiety  that  they  were 
no  match  for  the  power  of  so  great,  ambitious,  and  unscrupulous  a 
monarch  as  Louis  XIV.,  should  he  choose  to  extend  his  frontiers.  Little 
help  could  be  expected  from  England  in  such  an  emergency,  since  her 
policy  had  been  devoid  of  wisdom  and  spirit  from  the  time  of  the  Resto- 
ration.   It  was  not  easy  to  devise  an  expedient  to  avert  the  danger. 

Two  nations  were  suddenly  amazed  and  delighted.  Sir  William  Tem- 
ple, one  of  the  most  expert  diplomatists,  as  well  as  one  of  the  most  pleas- 
ing writers,  of  the  age,  had  been,  for  some  time,  representing  to  Charles, 
that  it  was  both  advisable  and  practicable  to  enter  into  engagements  with 
the  States-General,  for  the  purpose  of  checking  the  progress  of  France. 
For  a  time  his  suggestions  had  been  slighted  ;  but  the  increasing  ill-humor 
of  Parliament  induced  the  king  to  try  a  temporary  expedient  for  quieting 
discontent  which  might  become  serious.  Hence  Sir  William  was  com- 
missioned to  negotiate  an  alliance  with  the  Dutch  Republic.  He  soon 
came  to  an  understanding  with  John  De  Witt.  Sweden,  which,  small  as 
were  her  resources,  had  been  raised  by  the  genius  of  Gustavus  Adolphus 
to  a  high  rank  among  European  powers,  was  induced  to  join  with  Eng- 
land and  the  States  ;  and  thus  was  formed  the  famous  coalition  known 
as  the  "Triple  Alliance."  Louis  was  angry;  but  he  did  not  think  it 
politic  to  draw  upon  himself  the  hostility  of  such  a  confederacy,  in 
addition  to  that  of  Spain.  He  consented,  therefore,  to  relinquish  a  large 
portion  of  the  territory  which  his  armies  hud  occupied,  and  to  treat  with 
Spain  on  reasonable  terms.  Peace  was  restored  to  Europe,  and  the  Eng- 
lish government,  lately  an  object  of  general  contempt,  was  restored  to  the 
respect  of  its  neighbors.  The  English  people  were  specially  gratified  at 
this,  for  the  nation  was  now  leagued  with  a  republican  government  that 
was  Presbyterian  in  religion,  against  an  arbitrary  prince  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church.  "  It  was  the  masterpiece  of  King  Charles's  life,"  said 
Burnet,  "  and,  if  he  had  stuck  to  it,  it  would  have  been  both  the  strength 
and  glory  of  his  reign." 


A  PROSPEROUS  ERA  IN  NEW  YORK. 


247 


The  news  produced  intense  satisfaction  in  New  York.  The  English 
and  the  Dutch  inhabitants  became  better  friends  than  ever.  There  was 
much  social  visiting  during  the  winter  of  1668-69.  The  formal  enter- 
tainments were  not  more  than  five  or  six  in  number,  but  a  club  was  estab- 
lished, comprising  the  more  notable  of  the  Dutch,  English,  and  French 
families,  who  met  twice  a  week,  at  one  another's  houses  in  rotation, 
coming  together  about  six  in  the  evening  and  separating  at  nine  o'clock. 
The  refreshments  were  simple,  consisting  chiefly  of  wines  and  brandies.. 
—  "  not  compounded  and  adulterated 
as  in  England,"  wrote  Maverick, — 
and  they  were  always  served  in 
a  silver  tankard.  These  gatherings 
were  productive  of  great  good  feel- 
ing. Lovelace  was  generally  present 
and  rendered  himself  exceedingly 
agreeable.  To  those  who  would  share 
in  any  considerable  degree  the  advan- 
tages of  this  coterie,  familiarity  with 
three  languages  —  English,  Dutch, 
and  French  —  was  almost  indispen- 
sable. Indeed,  education  was  held 
in  such  high  esteem,  that  the  difficul- 
ties of  obtaining  it  were  overcome  by 
the  employment  of  private  tutors  in 
all  the  wealthy  families. 

The  earliest  poet  in  New  York  was  Jacob  Steendam.  A  poem  which 
appeared  in  1659,"  The  Complaint  of  New  Amsterdam  to  her  Mother,"  was 
from  his  pen  ;  also  "  The  Praise  of  New  Netherland,"  which  was  published 
in  a  small  quarto  form  in  1661.  He  wrote  a  variety  of  verse,  some  of 
which  was  distinguished  by  great  elegance.  He  indulged  in  quaint  con- 
ceits and  rhymes,  and  evinced  oftentimes  a  strong  religious  feeling.  The 
action  of  his  poems  was  usually  taken  from  the  Scriptures  or  classical 
mythology.  A  few  fragments  of  poetry  from  the  pen  of  Hon.  Nicasius 
De  Sille  have  been  handed  down  to  us  from  the  same  remote  period  ;  and 
a  little  volume  of  poems  written  at  a  later  date  by  Dominie  Selyns  is 
the  key  to  a  treasure  of  genius  and  culture. 

A  prosperous  era  was  dawning  upon  New  York.  Several  Bostonians 
removed  thither  and  invested  largely  in  real  estate.  One  man  bought 
five  houses,  which  had  just  been  erected  on  Broadway.  Business  of  all 
kinds  increased.  Nine  or  ten  vessels  were  in  port  at  one  time,  with 
cargoes  of  tobacco  from  Virginia.    Large  quantities  of  wheat  were  shipped 


Portrait  of  Steendam. 


248 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


to  Boston.  A  fishing  bank  was  discovered  two  or  three  leagues  from 
Sandy  Hook,  on  which,  in  a  few  hours,  some  twelve  hundred  "  excellent 
good  cod  "  were  taken.  More  than  twenty  whales  were  caught  during 
the  spring  at  the  east  end  of  Long  Island,  and  several  in  New  York 
Bay.  Lovelace,  co-operating  with  some  of  the  merchants,  built  a  strong 
and  handsome  vessel  called  the  "  Good  Fame,"  which  was  sent  to  Virginia 
and  subsequently  to  England.  A  smaller  and  less  costly  ship  was 
launched  about  the  same  time  at  Gravesend.  Some  gentlemen,  who 
arrived  at  this  time  from  Bermuda  and  Barbadoes,  were  so  much  pleased 
with  the  prospect,  that  they  bought  houses  and  plantations.  Nicolls  ob- 
tained from  the  Duke  of  York  the  gift  of  a  snug  house  on  Broadway  for 
Maverick,  who  complained  that  he  had  never  received  the  value  of  a 
sixpence  (one  horse  excepted)  for  his  services  to  the  government. 

Daniel  Denton  describes  New  York  at  that  date  as  "  built  mostly  of 
brick  and  stone,  and  covered  with  red  and  black  tde  ;  and  the  land 
being  high,  it  gives  at  a  distance  a  pleasing  aspect  to  beholders."  The 
king's  cosmographer,  John  Ogilby,  more  elaborately  pictures  it,  as  "  placed 
upon  the  neck  of  the  island  looking  toward  the  sea  " ;  and  as  "  com- 
pact and  oval,  with  fair  streets  and  several  good  houses ;  —  the  rest  are 
built  much  after  the  manner  of  Holland,  to  the  number  of  about  four 
hundred ;  upon  one  side  of  the  town_  is  James'-fort,  capable  to  lodge 
three  hundred  soldiers  ;  it  hath  forty  pieces  of  cannon  mounted ;  it  is 
always  furnished  with  arms  and  ammunition  against  accidents,  and  is 
well  accommodated  with  a  spring  of  fresh  water ;  the  church  rises  from 
the  fort  with  a  lofty  double  roof  between  which  a  square  tower  looms  up : 
on  one  side  of  the  church  is  the  prison  and  on  the  other  side  the  govern- 
or's house  ;  at  the  water-side  stand  the  gallows  and  the  whipping-post." 

A  glowing  tribute  was  paid  to  Hell  Gate,  which  was  represented  as 
sending  forth  such  a  hideous  roaring  as  to  deter  any  stranger  from 
attempting  to  pass  it  without  a  pilot,  and  was  therefore  an  absolute 
defense  against  any  hostile  approach  from  that  direction.  Governor's 
Island  had  been  beautified  and  rendered  attractive  through  the  making 
of  a  garden  and  the  planting  of  fruit  trees.  Long  Island,  although  so 
recently  pronounced  by  Maverick  "  poor  and  inconsiderable,"  was  de- 
scribed by  Denton,  whose  home  was  in  Jamaica,  as  almost  a  paradise. 
Crops  were  plentiful;  trout  and  other  delicious  tisb  abounded  in  the 
crystal  streams ;  fruits  grew  spontaneously,  especially  strawberries,  of 
which  he  says,  "they  are  in  such  abundance  in  June  that  the  fields  and 
woods  are  dyed  red."  The  vast,  smooth  plains  encouraged  the  breeding 
of  swift  horses.  Lovelace  ordered  that  trials  of  speed  at  the  race-course 
established  by  Nicolls  should  take  place  every  May.    A  subscription-list 


THE  DUTCH  REFORMED  CHURCH. 


249 


was  filled  out  by  those  who  were  disposed  to  enter  horses  for  a  crown 
of  silver,  or  its  value  in  good  wheat.  The  swiftest  horse  was  rewarded 
with  a  silver  cup. 

The  clergymen  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  church  in  New  York  were 
Dominie  Schaats  at  Albany,  Dominie  Polhemus  on  Long  Island,  and 
Dominies  Megapolensis  and  Drisius,  colleagues  at  New  York.  Early  in 
the  spring,  Dominie  Megapolensis  obtained  of  the  governor  permission 
to  visit  Holland,  where  he  died  suddenly,  after  twenty-seven  years  of 
ministerial  service  in  the  province.  Dominie  Drisius  was  in  feeble 
health,  and  needed  assistance,  which  could  only  be  furnished  by  ^Egidius 
Luyck,  the  Latin  teacher,  who  had  studied  divinity  in  Holland,  and  by 
the  foresinger,  Evert  Pietersen. 

In  June,  1670,  Lovelace  offered  one  thousand  guilders  per  annum,  with 
a  dwelling-house  free  of  rent,  and  firewood  gratis,  to  any  minister  from 
Holland  who  would  come  and  take  charge  of  the  New  York 

&  1670. 

church.  Dominie  Selyns,  who  was  settled  in  Wavereen,  Holland, 
induced  his  relative,  Dominie  Wilhemus  Van  Nieuwenhuysen,  to  accept 
the  liberal  proposition.  He  duly  made  the  voyage,  and,  in  the  summer 
of  1671,  was  installed  as  the  colleague  of  Dominie  Drisius.  The  new 
minister  was  an  accomplished  scholar,  full  of  fire  and  eloquence  in  the 
pulpit,  and  highly  acceptable  to  the  church  and  congregation.  The  gov- 
ernor furnished  Dominie  Drisius  with  an  allowance  from  the  public 
revenue,  and  authorized  the  consistory  to  tax  the  congregation  for  the 
support  of  the  pulpit  and  of  the  poor.  Thus  the  English  rulers  virtually 
established  the  Dutch  Church  in  New  York.  The  elders  and  deacons 
at  this  time  were  Ex-Governor  Peter  Stuyvesant,  OlofT  S.  Van  Cort- 
landt,  Paulus  Van  der  Grist,  Boele  Roelofsen,  Jacob  Teunissen  Kay,  and 
Jacob  Leisler.1 

The  English  customs  in  regard  to  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath  were 
as  rigid  as  those  of  the  Dutch,  and  were  sustained  by  the  habits  and 
feelings  of  the  great  mass  of  the  population.  It  was  about  1678  that 
the  statute  was  passed  iu  England  which  may  be  regarded  as  the  founda- 
tion of  our  present  laws  on  the  subject ;  although,  when  the  colonies 
became  States,  each  one  legislated  more  or  less  for  itself,  and  there  was 
a  gradual  and  universal  relaxation  of  the  excessive  severity  of  the  earlier 
years.  The  statute  referred  to  forbade  any  person  laboring  or  doing  any 
business  or  work,  except  works  of  charity  or  necessity,  on  the  "  Lord's 
Day  " ;  and  it  was  enforced  to  the  letter.    Any  violation  of  it  was  vis- 

1  Brodhead,  II.  176.  Corr.  Classi.i  of  Amst.  Records  of  Collegiate  R.  D.  Church,  N.  Y. 
New  York  City  Rec,  VI.  562-  750.  Gen.  Ent.,  IV.  47.  Council  Minutes,  III.  82.  Col. 
Doc,  II.  470,  475  ;  III.  189.    Murpluj's  Anthology  of  N.  N.,  146,  178. 


250 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


ited  with  immediate  punishment.  Ludicrous  stories  are  told  of  Puritan 
rigor :  how,  in  Massachusetts,  no  one  was  permitted  to  make  beer  on 
Saturday,  lest  it  should  "  work  "  on  Sunday ;  and  how,  in  Connecticut, 
no  man  was  allowed  to  kiss  his  wife  on  the  Sabbath.  But,  with  all  due 
allowance  for  humorous  exaggeration,  it  was  practically  the  same  in  New 
York.  The  Sabbath  was  consecrated  to  an  entire  cessation  from  worldly 
labor.  With  a  musical  peal  of  the  old  Dutch  bell  the  houses  poured 
forth  their  occupants.  Since  no  power  ever  decreed  adversely  to  the 
dressing  of  one's  best  on  that  day,  it  must  have  been  a  bright  and 
impressive  scene.  Gentlemen  wore  long-waisted  coats,  the  skirts  reach- 
ing almost  to  the  ankles,  with  large  silver  buttons,  sparkling  down  the 
entire  front ;  a  velvet  waistcoat  trimmed  with  silver-lace  peeped  out,  and 
the  shirt-front  was  elaborately  embroidered ;  breeches  were  of  silver 
cloth  or  different  colored  silks,  according  to  the  taste  of  the  wearer ;  and 
the  shoe-buckles  were  of  silver.  Ladies  wore  jaunty  jackets  of  silk,  vel- 
vet, or  cloth,  over  different  colored  skirts.  Sleeves  were  of  the  "  mutton- 
leg  "  shape,  with  large  turned-up  white  cuffs.  Not  only  were  chains 
for  the  neck  much  in  vogue,  but  girdle-chains  of  gold  and  silver  were 
common,  to  which  were  suspended  costly  bound  Bibles  and  hymn-books 
for  church  use.  Brooches  and  finger-rings  also  were  much  worn.  The 
hair  was  dressed  high  and  was  frizzed  about  the  face,  and  the  bonnet  was 
very  pretty.  The  mayor  and  aldermen,  in  a  dress  that  was  peculiarly 
conspicuous,  occupied,  in  the  church,  a  pew  by  themselves.  Lovelace,  in 
the  afternoon,  attended  the  Episcopal  service,  and  occupied  the  governor's 
pew,  which  had  been  elaborately  fitted  up  by  Nicolls.  Another  pew  was 
set  apart  for  the  governor's  council. 

The  Duke  of  York  sympathized  with  any  and  every  religious  creed 
which  dissented  from  the  Church  of  England.  He  was  by  conviction  a 
Roman  Catholic ;  a  fact  which  was  not  then  without  its  value,  as  it 
served  to  protect  irregular  forms  of  worship,  and  actually  placed  him 
before  the  world  as  the  friend  of  religious  toleration.  He  permitted  the 
Lutherans  in  New  York  to  call  a  minister,  the  Rev.  Jacobus  Fabricus, 
from  Germany.  He  went  first  to  Albany.  But  his  conduct  there  was 
not  such  as  became  his  calling,  and,  complaints  having  been  made,  Love- 
lace suspended  him  from  the  pulpit  at  that  place,  giving  him,  at  the  same 
time,  permission  to  preach  in  New  York.  It  was  soon  found  that,  in 
addition  to  a  dictatorial  and  quarrelsome  temper,  manifested  in  all  his 
church  relations,  he  was  constantly  abusing  his  wife.  She  spent  one 
whole  winter  in  the  garret  of  their  house,  Buffering  all  the  while  from 
fever  and  ague.  She  finally  complained  to  the  government,  and  peti- 
tioned, that  since  the  house  belonged  to  herself,  that  her  husband  should 


CURIOUS  RELIC. 


251 


be  ordered  to  give  up  the  keys  and  not  presume  to  enter  it  any  more. 
After  a  careful  investigation,  through  which  they  found  that  the  husband 
was  deserving  of  great  blame,  the  court  granted  her  request.  Six  months 
later  he  defied  legal  authority  by  going  to  his  wife's  house  in  an  angry 
and  turbulent  manner.  A  woman  who  tried  to  prevent  his  entrance  was 
pushed  over  her  spinning-wheel  and  severely  hurt.  Soldiers  were  sum- 
moned to  arrest  him,  and  he  fought  them  desperately.  He  was  conquered, 
tried,  fined,  and  compelled  to  ask  pardon  of  the  court.  The  clamors 
against  him  were  so  loud,  that  the  governor  once  more  interfered  and 
removed  him  from  the  pulpit,  giving  him  permission  to  proceed  to  the 
Delaware. 


[Gold  Chatelaine,  worn  at  this  period  by  Mrs.  Jacob  Leisler,  having  been  brought  to  New  York  by  her 
mother,  Mrs.  Govert  Loockermans.  After  Mrs.  Leisler's  death  it  became  the  property  of  her  daughter, 
Hester,  and  has  descended  in  the  direct  line  to  Miss  Gertrude  S.  Ogden,  of  Newark,  N  J.,  in  whose 
possession  it  is  at  present,  and  through  whose  courtesy  the  copy  has  been  permitted.] 

A  meeting  for  merchants  —  the  first  New  York  Exchange  —  was 
established  in  March  of  this  year.  The  members  were  to  meet  every 
Friday  morning,  between  eleven  and  twelve  o'clock,  at  the  bridge 
which  crossed  the  ditch  at  Broad  Street,  —  the  site  of  what  is 
now  Exchange  Place.  Just  above  this  there  was  a  bill,  which  was  a 
favorite  place  with  the  boys  for  coasting  on  their  sleds,  affording  as  it  did 
a  steep  descent  from  Broadway  down  to  the  bridge ;  but  Lovelace  or- 
dered the  mayor  of  the  city  to  see  that  the  meetings  were  not  disturbed. 


252 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


In  the  autumn,  an  interesting  political  event  created  a  considerable 
sensation.  The  Court  of  Assizes  levied  a  tax  upon  the  Long  Island  towns 
for  the  purpose  of  repairing  the  fort  in  New  York.  They  had,  for 
several  years,  paid  a  direct  tax  of  a  penny  in  the  pound  to  defray 
their  town  charges.  They  had  also  submitted  graciously  to  the  Duke's 
custom  duties  for  the  support  of  his  government.  But  this  last  infliction 
was  the  straw  too  much.  If  yielded  to,  it  might  become  a  dangerous 
precedent ;  they  might  be  required  to  maintain  the  garrison,  and  they 
knew  not  what  else.  They  were  persuaded  that  the  principle  of  "taxa- 
tion only  by  consent  "  —  which  Holland  had  maintained  since  1477,  and 
England  had  adopted  in  her  Petition  of  Eight  in  1G28  —  was  their 
birthright  as  British  subjects.  Public  meetings  were  called  and  protests 
fearlessly  adopted  and  sent  to  the  governor.  At  the  court,  which  met  at 
Gravesend,  December  21st,  Secretary  Nicolls  presided,  and  Coun- 
selors Van  Kuyven,  Manning,  and  Thomas  Lovelace  were  present 
as  justices.  It  was  unanimously  agreed  that  "  the  said  papers  were  false, 
scandalous,  illegal,  and  seditious,"  and  they  were  referred  to  the  governor 
and  his  council  for  such  action  as  should  "  best  tend  to  the  suppression 
of  mischief."  Lovelace  ordered  that,  at  the  next  Mayor's  Court,  they 
should  be  publicly  burned  before  the  City  Hall  in  New  York,  and  their 
originators  prosecuted. 

But  it  was  easier  to  burn  documents  than  to  control  public  opinion. 
The  people  of  Long  Island  were  full  of  indignation.  They  accused  the 
governor  of  despotism,  and  openly  threatened  a  revolt.  Some  of  the 
towns  had  taken  out  new  patents,  in  conformity  with  the  law  of  1666. 
But  Southampton  and  Southold  refused,  the  latter  on  the  ground  that 
their  title  from  the  Indians  and  New  Haven  was  sufficient :  Southampton 
relied  upon  theirs  from  Lord  Stirling.  The  Court  of  Assizes  declared  the 
titles  invalid,  uidess  a  patent  from  the  Duke's  government  should  be 
obtained  within  a  certain  time.  This  produced  from  fifty  of  the  citizens 
of  Southampton  a  remonstrance,  wbich  was  so  full  of  reason  and  spirit, 
that  Lovelace,  having  promised  to  appoint  commissioners  to  confer  with 
them,  postponed  the  matter  indefinitely. 

The  most  memorable  act  of  Lovelace's  administration  was  the  purchase 
of  Staten  Island  from  the  Indian  sachems,  who  complained  that 
Apnl  7'  they  had  never  received  full  compensation  from  the  Dutch.  He 
quieted  all  their  claims  with  a  quantity  of  wampum,  coats,  kettles,  guns, 
powder,  lead,  axes,  hoes,  and  knives,  and  obtained  a  deed  in  behalf  of  the 
Duke  of  York.  Immediate  measures  were  taken  to  induce  persons  to 
settle  there.  The  surveyors  called  it  "  the  most  commodiosest  seate  and 
richest  land  in  America." 


CHARLES  II.  AXD  LOUIS  XIV. 


253 


Matthias  Xicolls,  who  had  heen  secretary  of  the  province  and  one  of 
the  governor's  council  since  1664,  was  appointed  mayor  of  the 
city  in  1671.  Few  Englishmen  of  his  time  had  a  keener  percep-  16n" 
tion  of  practical  necessities,  or  a  character  more  admirably  fitted  for  the 
position.  The  following  year,  Thomas  Delavall —  the  mayor,  in  1666  — 
was  reappointed.  He  purchased  several  large  estates,  among  which  were 
Great  and  Little  Barent  Islands,  now  Barn  Islands,  near  Hell  Gate,  and 
a  cherry  orchard  of  several  acres  in  the  neighborhood  of  Franklin  Square. 
From  this  orchard,  Cherry  Street  derived  its  name. 

In  March,  1671,  Lovelace  bought  the  greater  portion  of  the  "Dominie's 
Bouwery."    This  property  consisted  of  about  sixty- two  acres  of 

IVTiirch  9 

land  between  the  present  Warren  and  Christopher  Streets,  which 
formerly  belonged  to  Dominie  Bogardus  and  his  wife,  Anetje  Jans,  and 
had  been  confirmed  to  their  heirs  by  Nicolls  in  1667.  It  adjoined  the 
West  India  Company's  farm,  which  the  Duke  of  York  held  by  virtue  of 
confiscation  by  Nicolls.  Lovelace  made  the  purchase  for  his  own  benefit 
and  for  some  time  held  it  in  his  own  right.  It  was  afterwards  vested  in 
the  crown,  and,  by  a  curious  train  of  events,  the  farm  of  the  first  Dutch 
minister  was  merged  in  the  estate  now  enjoyed  by  the  corporation  of 
Trinity  Church. 

In  the  mean  time,  in  England,  the  king  had  grown  restless  under  con- 
stitutional restraints.  The  independence,  the  safety,  the  dignity  of 
the  nation  over  which  he  presided  were  nothing  to  him.  While  an  • 
assembly  of  subjects  could  call  for  his  accounts  before  paying  his  debts, 
or  could  insist  upon  knowing  which  of  his  mistresses  or  boon  companions 
had  intercepted  the  money  destined  for  the  equipping  and  manning  of  the 
national  fleet,  he  could  not  think  himself  a  king  ;  and  he  determined  upon 
emancipating  himself.  Who,  better  than  the  French  king,  coidd  aid  in 
establishing  absolute  monarchy  in  England  ?  To  this  end  he  opened 
a  negotiation  ;  and  his  own  sister,  the  beautiful  and  witty  Henrietta, 
Duchess  of  Orleans,  who  was  also  the  sister-in-law  of  Louis,  and  a  favor- 
ite with  both  monarchs,  was  made  the  chief  agent  at  the  French  court. 
The  offer  of  Charles  was  to  dissolve  the  Triple  Alliance  and  join  France 
against  the  Dutch  Republic,  if  Louis  would  furnish  such  military  and 
pecuniary  assistance  as  would  render  him  independent  of  Parliament. 
To  this  arrangement  Louis  consented,  and  a  secret  treaty  was  signed,  by 
which  Charles  bound  himself  to  profess  the  Roman  Catholic  religion,  and 
employ  the  whole  strength  of  England  by  laud  and  by  sea  to  destroy  the 
power  of  the  United  Provinces,  and  to  maintain  the  rights  of  the  house 
of  Bourbon  to  the  throne  of  Spain.  The  Duke  of  York  was  immensely 
gratified,  and  in  haste  to  see  the  article  touching  the  Roman  Catholic 


254  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


religion  carried  into  immediate  execution.  But  Louis  was  too  wise,  and 
decreed  that  Charles  should  continue  to  call  himself  a  Protestant,  and,  at 
high  festivals,  to  receive  the  sacrament  according  to  the  ritual  of  the 
Church  of  England. 

The  Prince  of  Orange  had  been,  from  his  birth,  an  object  of  serious 
apprehension  to  the  aristocratic  party  in  Holland,  and  it  was  not  intended 
to  restore  him  to  the  high  office  of  Stadtholder,  which  had  been  regarded 
as  hereditary  iu  his  family.  He  was  a  cold,  sullen  young  man,  without 
health,  but  full  of  ambitious  ideas  and  projects.  As  the  nephew  of 
Charles,  and  a  grandson  of  England,  it  was  thought  expedient  to  bring 
him  if  possible  into  the  alliance.  Accordingly,  he  was  invited  to  London, 
where  his  birthday  was  celebrated  with  great  pomp.  He  was  offered  the 
despotic  rule  of  the  seven  provinces,  and  the  hand  of  Mary,  the  daughter 
of  the  Duke  of  York,  in  marriage,  if  he  would  join  the  allies.  He  re- 
plied, "  My  country  trusts  in  me ;  I  will  not  sacrifice  it  to  my  interests, 
but  if  need  be  die  with  it  in  the  last  ditch."  When  war  was  actually 
declared,  he  chafed  under  his  thraldom  and  longed  to  be  at  the  head  of 
armies.  As  he  was  of  age,  there  was  a  strong  tide  of  public  sentiment  in 
favor  of  giving  him  the  supreme  command. 

De  Witt  resisted  for  a  long  time.  It  had  been  his  policy  to  foster  the 
sea,  rather  than  the  land  forces  of  the  nation  ;  consequently,  while  the 
Dutch  fleets  under  De  Ruyter  and  Tromp  fought  gloriously  and  main- 
tained the  honor  of  their  flag  against  England,  the  French  monarch  in- 
vaded the  Netherlands  with  his  armies,  numbering  two  hundred  thousand 
men,  to  meet  twenty  thousand  Dutch  soldiers.  The  annals  of  the  human 
race  record  but  few  instances,  of  moral  power  so  successfully  defying 
and  repelling  such  superiority  of  force.  The  dikes  were  broken  up,  and 
the  country  was  drowned.  The  son  of  Grotius,  suppressing  anger  at  the 
ignominious  proposals  of  Louis  XIV.,  who  had  established  his  court  at 
Utrecht,  protracted  the  negotiations  until  the  rising  waters  formed  a 
wide  and  impassable  moat  around  the  cities.  At  Gronigan,  the  whole 
population,  without  regard  to  sex, —  little  children  even,  —  toiled  on  the 
fortifications.  The  suffering  and  terrified  people  raged  against  the  gov- 
ernment. The  Prince  of  Orange  came  forward  and  spoke  to  the  States- 
General  in  lofty  and  inspiring  language.  He  told  them  that,  even  if  their 
soil  and  all  the  marvels  of  it  were  buried  under  the  ocean,  all  was  not  lost. 
They  might  take  refuge  in  the  farthest  isles  of  Asia,  and  commence  a  new 
and  glorious  existence  amid  the  sugar-canes  and  nutmeg-trees  !  He  was 
presently  made  Captain-General,  and  shortly  after  De  Witt  resigned  his 
office  of  Pensionary,  and  his  brother  Cornelius  was  imprisoned.  Men  in 
their  madness  attributed  to  their  ablest  statesmen  and  bravest  generals 


FIERCE  BATTLES  IN  EUROPE. 


255 


all  the  disasters  which  had  occurred.  One  day  while  De  Witt  was 
visiting  his  brother  in  the  prison,  a  band  of  infuriated  ruffians  burst  in 
the  doors,  dragged  them  both  out,  and  brutally  assassinated  them  in  front 
of  the  Binenhof,  at  the  Hague.  Confusion  and  discouragement  seemed 
at  their  height.  The  stern  determination  of  Prince  William,  however, 
infused  new  life  into  the  faltering  army,  until  the  French  thought  it 
prudent  to  retire.    Holland  was  saved. 

But  the  landing  of  English  troops  upon  the  soil  could  only  be  pre- 
vented by  naval  conflicts.  The  younger  Tromp  had  been  disgraced 
some  time  before  on  the  accusation  of  De  Buyter ;  hence  the  two  1673' 
commanders  were  bitter  enemies.  At  the  battle  of  Soulsberg,  the  Dutch 
with  fifty-two  ships  of  the  line  engaged  an  enemy  with  eighty.  De  Buy- 
ter was  in  the  full  flush  of  victory,  when  he  discovered  that  Tromp  was 
nearly  overpowered.  He  magnanimously  checked  his  own  career  and 
turned  to  the  relief  of  the  latter.  Seeing  the  movement,  the  young  hero 
shouted,  "  There  comes  grandfather  to  the  rescue  ;  I  will  never  desert  him 
as  long  as  I  breathe." 

The  issue  of  that  day  was  uncertain.  In  the  next  encounter,  the  ad- 
vantage was  decidedly  with  the  Dutch,  and  the  English  retreated 
to  the  Thames.  Two  months  later,  one  hundred  and  fifty  English  Aug-  " 
and  French  ships  were  met  by  seventy-five  Dutch,  near  the  Helder,  and 
a  terrible  battle  ensued.  The  contesting  forces  rivalled  each  other  in 
stubborn  valor.  The  noise  of  artillery  boomed  along  the  low  coasts, 
while  the  Dutch  churches  were  thronged  with  people  praying  for  the 
success  of  their  arms.  To  the  ears  of  these  anxious  worshipers,  the 
fluctuating  roar  of  the  conflict  —  now  almost  dying  away  into  silence,  and, 
again,  shaking  the  earth  and  filling  all  the  air  —  was  followed  at  last  by 
the  protracted  hush  which  afforded  the  first  intimation  of  the  enemy's 
retreat.  A  marvelous  victory  had  been  won,  and  De  Buyter  and  Tromp 
shared  with  William  of  Orange  in  the  tumultuous  gratitude  which,  like 
the  sea,  almost  deluged  the  country. 

New  York  must  needs  suffer  meanwhile.  Its  progress  was  checked 
with  the  first  news  of  the  commotion  beyond  the  seas.  Lovelace  gave  his 
attention  to  defenses.  An  extra  company  of  foot  was  organized,  and  that 
sterling  old  Dutch  officer,  Martin  Cregier,  was  placed  in  command.  A 
volunteer  troop  of  horse  was  also  raised,  and  Ex-Mayor  Cornelis  Steen- 
wyck  was  made  its  captain.  The  fort  was  repaired  and  other  precautions 
were  taken.  All  ships  bound  for  Europe  were  compelled  to  sail  in  com- 
pany for  mutual  protection  against  privateers.  The  navigation  of  the 
Hudson  Biver  was  restricted.  The  merchants  were  hampered  and  on  the 
eve  of  bankruptcy.    Commerce  was  injured  with  all  the  colonies  along 


256 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


the  Atlantic  coast.  Several  New  York  merchant  vessels  —  among  them 
<3ven  the  Good  Fame  itself  —  were  captured  by  the  Dutch. 

The  news  that  Colonel  Nicolls  had  been  killed  in  the  first  naval  en- 
gagement was  received  in  New  York  with  much  lamentation,1  and  funeral 
exercises  were  held  with  great  solemnity  in  the  Dutch  church  in  the  fort. 

A  compulsory  tax  for  the  building  of  a  new  battery  was  not  deemed 
prudent  or  politic  ;  hence  Lovelace  asked  for  a  "  benevolence  "  from  each 
town  in  the  province.  A  commission,  consisting  of  Francis  Eombouts, 
Thomas  Lovelace,  Captain  Manning,  Allard  Anthony,  Thomas  Gibbs,  and 
Captain  Richard  Morris,2  was  appointed  to  receive  and  expend  the  moneys 
collected.  A  legion  of  knotty  questions  immediately  sprung  up  in  con- 
nection with  titles  and  quitrents.  While  the  governor  and  his  council 
were  doing  their  best  to  preserve  harmony  in  New  York,  an  arrogant 
assembly  at  Elizabethtown  deposed  Governor  Philip  Carteret,  and  ap- 
pointed his  cousin  James,  the  son  of  Sir  George,  who  had  just  arrived,  in 
his  stead.  And  Delaware  escaped  the  imminent  peril  of  being  absorbed 
by  Maryland. 

The  times  were  so  disturbed  that  Lovelace  was  impressed  with  the 
necessity  of  establishing  an  overland  mail  between  New  York  and  Bos- 
ton, for  the  transmission  of  intelligence,  in  case  of  sudden  danger  or 
misfortune,  and  for  the  advancement  of  commerce.  He  consequently 
issued  a  proclamation,  on  the  10th  of  December,  1672,  that  on  the  first 
day  of  January,  1673,  and  on  the  first  Monday  of  every  following 

a  '  '  month,  a  sworn  messenger  would  be  dispatched  to  convey  letters 
and  small  packets  to  Boston,  taking  Hartford  and  other  places  on  his 
way.  A  change  of  horses  would  be  furnished  to  the  messenger  at  Hart- 
ford on  his  journey  to  and  from  Boston.  He  was  to  be  paid  a  small 
salary,  and  all  the  letters  were  to  be  free  of  postage.  He  was  instructed 
to  form  a  post-road  by  marking  trees,  "  that  shall  guide  other  travelers  as 
well."  Lovelace  wrote  to  Winthrop,  asking  him  to  give  the  man  advice 
as  to  the  best  route  to  pursue,  and  in  the  same  letter  informed  Winthrop 

1  In  the  Ampthill  church,  Bedfordshire,  England,  is  a  monument  to  Richard  Nicolls,  on 
which  is  represented  a  cannon-ball  with  the  inscription  " Instrumcntum  mortis  et  immortali- 
talis."  Brodhead,  II.  186.  Basnarjc,  II.  192-209.  Sylvius,  I.  191  -208,  243-249.  Eve- 
lyn, I.  335-409.    Pepijs,  II.  361. 

4  Captain  Richard  Morris  was  an  English  gentleman  of  fortune,  who  had  been  one  of  the 
ndherents  of  Cromwell.  He  came  to  New  York  while  it  was  yet  a  Dutch  province,  and 
bought  over  three  thousand  acres  of  land  near  Harlem.  He  obtained  a  grant  with  baronial 
privileges  and  called  his  property  Morrisania.  His  wife  died  in  1672.  He  himself  died 
shortly  after  his  appointment  recorded  above,  leaving  an  infant  son,  Lewis,  a  year  old.  The 
administration  of  his  estate  was  granted  to  Secretary  Nicolls.  An  elder  brother  of  the 
deceased,  Lewis  Morris,  afterwards  removed  to  Morrisania  from  Barbndoes,  and  assumed  the 
guardianship  of  the  boy,  who  became  the  famous  Governor  Morris. 


LOVELACE  IN  HARTFORD. 


257 


of  the  latest  news  from  England  ;  namely,  that  the  Dutch  Republic  had 
actually  lost  three  of  its  provinces,  and  that  there  were  no  tidings  of 
peace.  Forty  well-equipped  men-of-war  had  just  been  dispatched  from 
Holland  to  the  West  Indies.  "  It  is  high  time  we  begin  to  buckle  on  our 
armor,"  he  added. 

While  the  snow  was  yet  upon  the  ground,  Lovelace  paid  a 

Msrcli 

visit  to  the  manor  of  Thomas  Pell,  near  "  Annie's  Hoeck,"  for  the 
purpose  of  settling  some  question  about  the  new  postal  route.    An  ex- 
press followed  him  from  Captain  Manning,  to  announce  the  appearance  of 
a  supposed  Dutch  squadron  off  Sandy  Hook.    He  hurried  back  to  the 
city,  and,  finding  no  enemy,  was  inclined  to  ridicule  the  false  alarm. 
However,  he  summoned  the  soldiers  from  Albany,  Esopus,  and  Delaware, 
and  mustered  one  hundred  or  more  enlisted  men.     The  weeks  went 
quietly  by,  there  was  a  general  training,  and,  as  the  Indians  were 
menacing  the  outposts,  the  garrisons  were  sent  back  to  their  sta-  ay' 
tions,  leaving  about  eighty  soldiers  in  Fort  James. 

Lovelace  had  for  months  been  intending  to  visit  Winthrop  on 
business  of  importance,  and,  seeing  no  special  reason  to  hinder,  set  July  2°' 
out  for  Hartford  on  the  20th  of  July,  leaving  Manning  as  before  in  charge 
of  the  fort.    He  had  been  gone  but  a  few  days,  when  several  ships 
were  discovered  lying  near  the  present  quarantine  ground.    Man-  JuIy  29' 
ning  immediately  dispatched  a  messenger  in  hot  haste  to  Lovelace,  put 
the  guns  of  the  fort  in  order',  caused  drums  to  be  beaten  through  the 
streets  for  volunteers,  and  seized  provisions  wherever  they  could  be  found. 
But  New  York  was  divided  against  itself.    There  were  Dutch  citizens  who 
visited  the  hostile  fleet  and  revealed  the  weakness  of  the  defenses.  The 
Dutch  militia  even  spiked  the  guns  of  the  new  battery,  in  front  of  the 
City  Hall.    Manning  tried  to  gain  time  until  the  governor  should  return. 
He  sent  Captain  John  Carr,  who  was  accidentally  in  the  city,  Counselor 
Thomas  Lovelace,  and  Attorney  John  Sharpe  to  demand  "  why  the  fleet 
had  come  in  such  a  manner  to  disturb  his  Majesty's  subjects  in  this 
place."    A  boat  passed  them  on  the  way,  with  a  messenger  from  the  two 
admirals,  Evertsen  and  Binckes,  bearing  an  order  for  the  surrender  of  New 
York.    "  We  have  come  to  take  the  place,  which  is  our  own,  and  our  own 
we  will  have,"  they  said. 

Captain  Carr  informed  Captain  Manning,  on  his  return,  that  the  enemy 
were  too  strong  to  be  withstood,  and  that  the  Dutch  flag  must  be  hoisted 
within  half  an  hour  or  they  would  fire  upon  the  fort.    Meanwhile  the 
fleet  had  moved  nearer,  so  that  the  foremost  ships  were  within 
musket-shot.    Sharpe  was  sent  promptly  back  to  ask  for  a  cessa-  Ju'y  30 
tion  of  hostilities  until  the  next  morning,  that  advice  might  be  obtained 

17 


258 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


from  the  mayor  and  aldermen.  But  Admiral  Evertsen  bad  already  writ- 
ten a  letter  to  the  city  magistrates,  guaranteeing  to  all  men  their  estates 
and  liberties,  and  this  had  been  read  aloud  to  the  citizens  from  the  City 
Hall.  The  commanders  would  grant  but  one  more  half-hour,  "  and  the 
glass  was  turned  up." 

At  the  end  of  that  time,  the  ships  fired  a  broadside  into  the  fort,  killing 
and  wounding  several  of  the  garrison,  and  the  fire  was  returned.  At 
the  same  moment  six  hundred  men  were  seen  landing  just  above  the 
"  governor's  orchard,"  on  the  river  shore,  back  of  the  present  Trinity 
Church.  They  paraded  in  the  old  graveyard  adjoining.  Manning,  at 
Carr's  instigation,  ordered  a  flag  of  truce  to  be  exhibited  ;  but  Carr,  ex- 
ceeding his  orders,  struck  the  king's  flag  at  the  same  time.  Carr,  Love- 
lace, and  Gibbs  were  sent  to  make  the  best  conditions  possible  with  the 
invading  force.  The  two  latter  were  detained  as  hostages,  and  Carr  was 
sent  back  to  demand  the  surrender  of  the  garrison  in  fifteen  minutes,  as 
prisoners  of  war.  Carr  never  delivered  the  message,  but  sought  his  per- 
sonal safety  in  another  direction.  Manning  sent  Sharpe  to  meet  the  col- 
umn which  was  rapidly  advancing  down  Broadway,  to  ask  permission  to 
march  out  of  the  fort  with  the  honors  of  war.  It  was  about  seven  o'clock', 
on  a  summer  evening.  Captain  Anthony  Colve,  who  was  in  command 
of  the  Dutch,  readily  acquiesced.  He  formed  his  men  in  a  line  in  front 
of  the  fort,  and  waited,  while  Manning  marched  through  the  gates,  at 
the  head  of  the  garrison,  with  colors  flying  and  drums  beating.  They 
grounded  their  arms,  and  were  committed  to  prison  in  the  church,  while 
the  Dutch  quietly  took  possession  of  the  citadel.  The  three-colored  en- 
sign of  the  Dutch  Bepublic  rose  to  its  old  place  on  the  flag-staff,  ami  New 
York  became  once  more  New  Netherlaud. 

This  was  an  absolute  conquest  by  an  open  enemy  in  time  of  war. 
Every  circumstance  in  connection  with  it  differed  from  those  which  had 
stood  out  conspicuously  when  the  place  was  captured  by  the  English, 
nine  years  before.  A  province  was  annexed  to  the  Dutch  Republic  ;  but 
the  effete  West  India  Company  had  had  nothing  whatever  to  do  with  the 
transaction.  The  old  corporation  had  gone  into  liquidation  soon  after  the 
conquest  of  the  place  in  llil>4,  and  the  new  company  had  taken  no  interest 
in  its  recapture.  It  had  greatly  increased  in  value  under  the  English  ; 
the  population  had  more  than  doubled  ;  and  now  the  direct  authority 
of  the  States-General  and  the  Brince  of  Orange  was  hailed  by  all  who 
had  a  drop  of  Dutch  blood  in  their  veins,' and  by  many  others,  with  un- 
bounded enthusiasm.  The  city  was  called  New  Orange,  in  honor  of  the 
young  prince,  and  the  fort  received  the  name  of  William  Hendrick. 


ADMIRAL  EVERT  SEN. 


259 


CHAPTER  XV. 


1673-1678. 


ADMIRAL  EVERTSEN. 

Admiral  Evertsen.  — The  new  Municipal  Officers.  — The  Conquered  Territory.  — 
Taking  the  Oath.  — Lovelace's  Private  Losses.  — Governor  Anthony  Colve.  — 
Rumors  of  War  with  New  England.  — Austria  and  Spain  to  the  Rescue  of  Hol- 
land. —  The  Famous  Test  Act.  —  Mary  of  Modena.  — The  Marriage  of  the  Duke 
of  York.  — The  Sacrifice  of  New  Netherland.  — The  Treaty  of  Westminster. 
Sir  Edmund  Andros.  — Lieutenant-Governor  Anthony  Brockholls. — New  Jersey. 

—  Long  Island. — Governor  Colve's  Farewell.  —  The  Reception  of  Governor 
Andros.  — Dominie  Van  Rensselaer.  — Frederick  Philipse.  — Captain  Manning. 

—  Stringent  Measures. — Imprisonment  of  Leading  Citizens. — Indian  War  in- 
New  England.  —  Robert  Livingston.  —  Andros  and  the  Connecticut  Dele- 
gates.—  City  Improvements. — Tanneries  along  Maiden  Lane.  —  Stephanis 
Van  Cortlandt.  — The  celebrated  Bolting  Act.  —  Indian  and  Negro  Slaves. 


THE  two  Dutch  admirals,  Evertsen  and  Biuckes,  were  obliged  to 
assume  the  resixmsibility  of  ^-^g|tflBSp*z^_ 
governing  their  conquest  until  di- 
rections should  come  from  the  Hag  ue. 
Never  was  the  Dutch  Republic 
more  ably  represented  than  by  the 
cool,  honest,  and  sagacious  Admiral 
Evertsen.  He  was  the  eldest  son 
of  the  renowned  Admiral  Cornells 
Evertsen,  who  was  killed  in  a  battle 
with  the  English,  in  1666.  He  had 
with  him  in  the  New  York  harbor 
about  twenty  English  prizes,  which 
he  had  captured  in  Virginia  and  else- 
where, and  a  large  number  of  pris- 
oners. But  it  was  a  delicate  mailer 
to  select  from  his  inferior  officers  a 

governor  for  New  Amsterdam.  Portrait  of  Evertsen. 

Captain  Anthony  Colve  was  the  best  tit  ted  among  them  tor  such  a 


260 


HISTORY  OF  THE  QITY  OF  ,VEW  YORK. 


command.  He  was  accordingly  appointed,  by  the  admirals,  and  a  com- 
mission was  issued  for  him  similar  in  phraseology  to  those  issued  by  the 
crown  of  England.  He  was  a  short,  stout,  dark-complexioned  man, 
abrupt  in  his  manners,  coarse  in  his  language,  and  of  a  rough,  passionate 
nature,  which  had  not  been  improved  by  military  service.  He  possessed 
undoubted  qualifications  for  rulership,  but  he  was  vain,  gluttonous,  and 
excessively  given  to  wine.  He  put  on  princely  airs,  spent  money 
extravagantly,  and  lived  ostentatiously.  In  the  latter  respect  he  outdid 
any  of  the  governors  who  had  preceded  him. 

The  admirals  determined  to  keep  their  ships  in  the  harbor  until  the 
new  government  should  be  firmly  established.  They  evidently  dis- 
trusted the  ability  of  Colve  in  many  particulars.  They  sent  for  Oloff 
S.  Van  Cortlandt,  Johannes  De  Peyster,  Cornelis  Steenwyck,  and  a  few 
others  of  the  prominent  Dutch  citizens,  and  advised  with  them  as  to 
proper  persons  for  official  trusts.  Nicholas  Bayard  acted  as  register  of 
their  proceedings,  and  was  finally  made  secretary  of  the  province.  The 
old  form  of  municipal  government  was  restored,  and  the  commonalty 
convoked  to  elect  a  new  board  of  burgomasters  and  schepens.  The  bur- 
gomasters were  Johannes  Van  Brugh,  Johannes  De  Peyster,  and  iEgidius 
Luyck.  The  schepens  were  William  Beekman  (who  had  returned  from 
Esopus),  Jeronimus  Ebbing,  Jacob  Kip,  Lawrence  Van  der  Spiegel,  and 
Gulian  Verplanck. 

They  were  from  among  the  wealthiest  citizens,  and  of  the  Dutch  l!t>- 
formed  religion.  Jeronimus  Ebbing  was  a  man  of  large  property,  whose 
business  for  seventeen  years  or  more  had  been  along  the  Hudson  River, 
chiefly  at  Esopus  and  Albany,  which  he  visited  at  stated  intervals,  to 
gather  and  ship  to  Holland  furs  and  other  articles  from  the  Indians. 
He  was  by  profession  a  lawyer,  and  his  wife  was  the  daughter  of  De 
Laet,  the  Dutch  historian.  She  was  a  lady  of  great  personal  beauty,  and 
possessed  in  her  own  right  a  large  estate,  comprising,  amongst  other  prop- 
erty, the  tract  of  land  which  her  father  had  acquired  near  Albany,  when 
he  was  one  of  the  directors  of  the  West  India  Company.  Gulian  Ver- 
planck was  the  son  of  Abraham  Verplanck,  who  lived  on  the  east  side 
of  the  town  near  the  river.  Gulian  was,  for  many  years,  the  clerk  of 
Allard  Anthony,  but,  about  1G56,  he  went  into  business  for  himself  and 
became  very  prosperous.  He  married  Hendrica  Wessells,  the  belle  of 
New  Amsterdam.  The  venerable  Allard  Anthony,  who,  as  sheriff,  had 
been  so  exacting  and  severe  that  the  common  people  called  him  the 
"  hangman,"  was  now  removed  from  that  office,  and  Anthony  De  Milt  was 
appointed  in  his  place.  The  latter  was  a  baker,  living  on  the  corner 
of  Whitehall  and  Beaver  Streets.    He  was  well  known  and  possessed  the 


THE  CONQUERED  TERRITORY. 


261 


good-will  of  the  entire  community.  His  three  daughters,  Maria,  Anna, 
and  Sarah,  were  at  one  period  the  hest  Latin  scholars  in  the  city.  He 
had  two  sons,  Isaac  and  Pieter,  from  whom  the  numerous  families  of  that 
name  are  descended. 

The  new  magistrates  were  duly  sworn  into  office,  and  the  late  mayor 
surrendered  the  gowns,  mace,  and  seal  which  the  Duke  of  York  had 
given  to  the  city.  These  were  at  once  carefully  deposited  in 
the  fort.  The  admirals  issued  a  proclamation,  confiscating  all  Aug'8' 
the  property  and  debts  belonging  to  the  kings  of  France  and  Eugland, 
and  requiring  every  person  to  report  such  property  to  Secretary  Bayard. 
The  estates  of  Lovelace,  Delavall,  Carteret,  Manning,  Willett,  Derval, 
and  others  were  attached,  and  those  unfortunate  officers  left  penniless.1 
The  dwellings  of  Lovelace  and  Manning  had  been  plundered  by  the 
Dutch  troops  in  the  first  heat  of  conquest ;  and  that  of  John  Lawrence, 
the  mayor,  would  have  suffered  the  same  fate,  but  for  the  timely  inter- 
ference of  some  of  his  Dutch  neighbors.  Van  Euyven,  who  was  the 
Eeceiver-General  of  the  Duke's  revenues,  was  required  to  render  a  strict 
account  of  all  the  property  in  his  possession. 

The  conquered  territory,  as  described  in  the  commission  to  Governor 
Colve,  extended  from  fifteen  miles  south  of  Cape  Henlopen  to  the  east- 
ern end  of  Long  Island,  thence  through  the  middle  of  the  Sound  to 
Greenwich,  and  so  northerly  according  to  the  boundary  made  in  1650, 
including  Delaware  Bay  and  the  intermediate  territory,  as  possessed  by 
the  Duke  of  York.  As  soon  as  the  city  was  secured,  two  hundred  men 
were  sent  up  the  river  in  vessels,  to  reduce  Esopus  and  Albany.  They 
encountered  no  opposition,  the  places  were  surrendered  "  at  mercy,"  and 
the  soldiers  held  as  prisoners  of  war.  New  Jersey  submitted  peaceably, 
and  the  countries  on  the  Delaware  followed  her  example.  Some  of  the 
Long  Island  towns  came  forward  with  alacrity,  to  bring  their  English  flags 
and  adopt  the  colors  of  Holland ;  but  others  were  not  disposed  to  yield 
so  easily.  Southampton  appealed  to  Hartford  for  advice  and  assistance. 
Connecticut  was  cautious.  Her  own  affairs  were  in  a  critical  condition  : 
two  delegates  from  the  General  Court  were  just  upon  the  eve  of  starting 
for  New  Orange,  with  a  letter  of  remonstrance  to  the  Dutch  commanders 
against  their  arbitrary  treatment  of  British  subjects.  The  admirals  gave 
them  a  strictly  military  reception,  and  replied  in  writing  to  their  appeal, 
that  it  was  very  strange  their  enemies  should  object  to  the  results  of 
war,  and  that  prompt  punishment  would  be  visited  upon  "all  who  should 
strive  to  maintain  the  said  villages  in  their  injustice."  While  the  Con- 
necticut delegates  were  still  at  the  fort,  deputies  from  Southampton, 

1  William  Derval  to  Mr.  R.  Wolley,  September  20,  1673  ;  Col.  Due,  III.  206. 


262 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Easthampton,  Southold,  Brookhaven,  and  Huntington  arrived.  Nathan- 
iel Sylvester  came  also  from  Shelter  Island,  and  advised  his  Long  Island 
neighbors  by  all  means  to  submit.  This  they  finally  decided  to  do. 
Sylvester  asked  and  obtained  a  confirmation  of  the  privileges  which 
Nicolls  had  granted  to  Shelter  Island  in  1G6G.  David  Gardiner  shortly 
after  took  the  oath  and  was  confirmed  in  the  possession  of  Gardiner's 
Island  with  all  its  manor  privileges.  But  there  were  so  many 
Aug'9'  English  prisoners  that  the  situation  became  embarrassing,  and 
three  ships  were  sent  to  convey  them  to  Europe. 

While  these  events  were  following  each  other  in  rapid  succession,  Gov- 
ernor Lovelace  had  completed  his  stay  in  Hartford  and  was  leisurely 
returning  on  horseback  through  the  woods,  when  he  was  met  near  New 
Haven  by  an  excited  messenger,  who  reported  that  the  Dutch  squadron 
was  in  the  bay.  He  pushed  on  as  rapidly  as  possible,  but  learned  at 
Mamaroneck  that  the  fort  had  already  been  taken.  Still  hoping,  how- 
ever, to  retrieve  the  disaster,  he  crossed  to  Long  Island  for  the  purpose  of 
arousing  the  people  and  raising  militia.  At  the  house  of  Justice  Corn- 
well,  near  Flushing,  he  met  Secretary  Matthias  Nicolls,  who  advised  him 
"to  keep  out  of  the  enemy's  hand."  Some  of  the  Dutch  ministers  gave 
him  counter-advice  ;  and,  having  at  stake  private  interests  of  moment,  he 
finally  decided  to  visit  the  fort  for  three  days.  Admiral  Evertsen,  having 
been  informed  of  this,  went  over  in  his  barge  to  Long  Island,  received  the 
superseded  governor  with  courtesy,  and  conducted  him  to  the  city,  where 
he  was  handsomely  entertained  by  its  new  masters.  Before  the  expira- 
tion of  the  three  days,  he  was  arrested  by  his  creditors  for  debts  which  the 
confiscation  of  his  property  left  no  means  for  paying.  He  wrote  to  Win- 
throp  :  "  Are  you  curious  to  know  the  extent  of  my  losses  ?  it  was  my  all 
whichever  I  had  been  collecting  ;  too  greate  to  misse  in  this  wilderness." 
Soon  after  he  sailed  for  Europe  in  Admiral  Binckes's  vessel,  accompanied 
by  Thomas  DelavalL 

By  the  hand  of  Van  Euyven,  who  left  for  Holland  about  the  same 
time,  the  city  magistrates  wrote  to  the  States-General  an  eloquent  letter, 
representing  the  urgent  need  of  reinforcements  as  soon  as  the  squadron 
should  leave  the  bay.  Finding  that  Admiral  Evertsen  proposed  sailing 
sooner  than  had  been  anticipated,  the  citizens  laid  before  him  an  urgent 
petition  that  two  ships  of  war,  commanded  by  superior  officers, 
should  be  left  behind,  to  prevent  the  Duke  of  York  from  attempt- 
ing to  recover  his  possessions.    This  request  was  granted. 

The  Indians  were  attracted  by  the  magnificent  vessels  in  the  harbor, 
and  some  of  the  sachems  visited  the  fort  and  congratulated  the  Dutch 
upon  the  recovery  of  their  colony.    They  said,  "  We  have  always  been  as 


RUMORS  OF  WAR  WITH  NEW  ENGLAND. 


263 


one  flesh  ;  if  the  French  come  down  from  Canada,  we  will  join  the  Dutch, 
and  live  and  die  with  them."  These  words  of  amity  were  confirmed  with 
a  belt  of  wampum. 

When  Governor  Colve  was  at  last  installed  in  office,  he  set  up  a  coach, 
drawn  by  three  horses.  Cornells  Steenwyck  was  his  first  counselor. 
Secretary  Bayard  was  efficient  in  all  business  matters,  and  on  important 
occasions  the  burgomasters  and  schepens  of  the  city  were  consulted. 
When  questions  arose  about  the  treatment  of  foreigners  or  their  property,  ■ 
Captain  Knyff  and  Captain  Epesteyn,  of  the  Dutch  infantry,  were  added 
as  a  council  of  war. 

Everything  assumed  a  military  air.  A  guard  was  stationed  near  Sandy 
Hook,  to  send  the  earliest  information  to  the  governor  of  the  arrival  of 
ships.  Strangers  were  not  allowed  to  cross  the  ferries  into  the  city  with- 
out a  pass  ;  and  whoever  had  not  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance  was  ex- 
pelled from  the  city.  The  insecure  condition  of  the  fort  was  improved ; 
and  twenty-one  houses  that  pressed  too  closely  upon  the  citadel 
were  removed,  the  owners  being  compensated  with  lots  in  other 
localities.  The  Lutheran  church  which  had  just  been  built  "  without 
the  gate  "  was  demolished,  and  the  Lutherans  were  allowed  to  build  an- 
other at  the  corner  of  Broadway  and  Rector  Street,  on  the  site  of  what 
was  afterwards  Grace  Church. 

Serious  difficulties  arising;  about  this  time  with  New  England,  and  hos- 
tilities  having  been  threatened,  it  was  ordered  that  no  person  should  enter 
or  depart  from  New  York  except  through  the  city  gate,  on  pain  of  death. 
At  sundown  the  gates  were  'closed,  and  a  watch  was  set  until  sunrise. 
Citizens  were  forbidden  to  harbor  any  stranger,  or  to  hold  any  correspond- 
ence whatever  with  the  people  of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut. 

To  bring  the  city  more  directly  under  the  governor's  authority,  1674. 
a  "  Provisional  Instruction  "  was  issued,  which  authorized  Captain  Jan- 16- 
Knyff  to  preside  over  the  Court  of  Burgomasters  and  Schepens.  The 
honest  magistrates  rebelled  at  this ;  whereupon  Colve  pompously 
threatened  to  dismiss  them  and  appoint  others,  and  they  finally 
yielded  under  protest. 

To  provide  for  the  "  excessive  expenses,"  a  tax  was  levied  upon  every 
inhabitant  of  the  city  worth  over  one  thousand  guilders.  As  it  must 
necessarily  take  some  time  to  collect  this  tax,  every  person  who  had 
been  assessed  more  than  four  thousand  guilders  was  ordered  to  advance 
a  loan.  As  it  was  generally  supposed  that  the  Duke  would  at- 
tempt  the  recapture  of  the  province,  precautions  were  taken  on 
all  sides  to  prevent  a  surprise. 

Meanwhile,  a  series  of  remarkable  events,  affecting  the  whole  future  of 


264 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


New  York,  were  taking  place  across  the  water.  The  movements  of  the 
king  of  France  had  roused  Austria  to  arms,  and  the  Eoman  Catholic 
dynasty  of  Spain  had  hastened  to  support  the  Protestant  Dutch  Bepublic 
against  the  common  danger.  Louis  found  himself  all  at  once  compelled 
to  contend  with  half  of  Europe,  and  was  consequently  in  no  condition  to 
furnish  funds  for  England.  Parliament  was  convoked,  and  both  houses 
reassembled  in  the  spring  of  1673.  But  they  doled  out  money  sparingly, 
considered  the  war  with  Protestant  Holland  unjustifiable,  disliked  the 
king's  alliance  with  Roman  Catholic  France,  and  suspected  the  orthodoxy 
of  the  Duke  of  York.  The  Commons,  as  the  only  condition  upon  which 
they  would  vote  supplies,  extorted  the  unwilling  consent  of  Charles  to  a 
celebrated  law  known  as  the  Test  Act,  which  continued  in  force  down  to 
the  reign  of  George  IV.  It  required  all  persons  holding  office,  civil  or 
military,  to  take  the  oath  of  supremacy,  and  publicly  receive  the  sacra- 
ment according  to  the  rites  of  the  Church  of  England.  The  Duke  of 
York,  who  had  secretly  been  a  Eoman  Catholic,  was  obliged  to  candidly 
declare  his  religious  faith,  and,  in  a  flood  of  tears,  he  resigned  all  the  offices 
which  he  held  under  the  Crown,  including  that  of  Lord  High  Admiral. 
But,  as  the  act  did  not  extend  to  Scotland  and  Ireland,  or  to  the  American 
Plantations,  his  admiralty  jurisdiction  over  the  latter  remained  unchanged. 

The  king  of  Spain  made  it  one  of  the  conditions  of  his  signing  an  alli- 
ance with  Germany  and  the  United  Netherlands,  that  the  latter  should 
consent  to  a  peace  with  England  upon  the  basis  of  a  mutual  restoration 
of  conquests.  The  House  of  Commons,  having  obtained  one  victory  over 
the  king  in  the  matter  of  the  Test  Act,  declared  that  no  more  supplies 
should  be  granted  for  the  war,  unless  it  should  appear  that  the  enemy  had 
obstinately  refused  to  consent  to  reasonable  terms  of  peace.  Charles  then 
cajoled  the  nation  by  pretending  to  return  to  the  policy  of  the  Triple 
Alliance.  He  summoned  Sir  William  Temple  from  his  retirement  and 
sent  him  again  as  minister  to  Holland.  The  latter,  of  all  the  official  men 
of  that  age,  had  preserved  the  fairest  character,  never  having  taken  any 
part  in  the  politics  which  had  dictated  the  war.  Through  his  efforts,  a 
separate  treaty  of  peace  was,  in  course  of  time,  concluded  with  the  United 
Provinces.  The  States-General  submitted  to  hard  terms,  for  they  were 
forced  to  succumb  to  a  political  necessity.  It  was  two  mouths  before 
they  knew  of  the  conquest  of  New  Netherland,  and  one  month  before  that 
important  event  had  actually  occurred,  that  they  yielded  to  the  dictation 
of  Spain  so  far  as  to  promise  to  sign  articles  of  peace  with  England. 

Never  before  were  two  allies  by  circumstance  greater  enemies  at  heart 
than  the  uncertain  king  of  England  and  the  Statesmen  of  the  Dutch  Re- 
public.   Charles  and  the;  Duke  of  York  both  wished,  for  many  reasons,  to 


THE  MARRIAGE  OF  THE  DUKE  OF  YORK. 


265 


remain  in  favor  with  the  French  king.  Mary  of  Modena,  the  beautiful  Ro- 
man Catholic  princess,  had  been  selected  as  the  wife  of  the  Duke,  and  the 
future  queen  of  England.  Charles  approved  the  match,  and  Louis  gave 
the  bride  a  splendid  dowry.  Perhaps  the  Duke  would  have  been  just 
then  more  pleased  with  ships  and  men  and  money  for  the  recovery  of 
New  York ;  and  the  ruined  merchants  of  England  would  certainly  have 
been  better  satisfied  with  some  indemnity  for  their  losses,  as  the  priva- 
teers of  Holland  and  Zealand  had  captured  twenty-seven  hundred  British 
vessels,  to  say  nothing  of  other  property  destroyed.  But  it  was  a  wed- 
ding instead. 

Mary  of  Modena  was  fifteen  years  of  age  ;  tall,  and  womanly,  and 
beautiful.  She  read  and  wrote  Latin  and  French  with  ease,  had  some 
taste  in  painting,  could  dance  well,  and  excelled  in  music.  Of  history, 
geography,  and  the  royal  sciences,  she  knew  nothing.  When  her  mother 
announced  to  her  that  she  had  been  sought  in  marriage  by  the  Duke  of 
York,  she  asked,  with  great  simplicity,  who  the  Duke  of  York  was. 
When  told  that  he  was  brother  to  the  king  of  England  and  heir-presump- 
tive to  that  realm,  she  inquired  the  whereabouts  of  England.  As  for  her 
prospective  husband,  when  she  found  that  he  was  in  his  fortieth  year,  she 
burst  into  a  fit  of  weeping,  declaring  that  she  would  rather  be  a  nun,  and 
implored  her  aunt  to  marry  the  man  herself.  James,  smarting  doubly 
from  the  consequences  of  the  Test  Act  and  the  loss  of  New  York,  paid  very 
little  attention  to  his  marriage  festivities.  Instead  of  choosing  a  person 
of  his  own  faith  to  act  as  his  proxy  in  France,  he  sent  a  member  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  the  ceremony  was  performed  by  an  English 
priest,  not  only  without  a  dispensation  from  the  Pope,  but  in  defiance  of 
his  interdict. 

James  was  in  the  drawing-room,  laughing  and  chatting  with  some 
ladies  and  oentlemen,  when  the  French  ambassador  came  to  him  with  the 
news  that  the  marriage  service  had  been  concluded.  "  Then  I  am  a  mar- 
ried man,"  he  exclaimed,  gayly.  He  sent  a  message  the  same  evening  to 
his  daughter  Mary,  that  he  "  had  provided  a  playfellow  for  her."  As 
for  the  bride,  she  cried  and  screamed  two  whole  days  and  nights  as  the 
time  drew  near  for  her  to  commence  her  journey  to  England.  She  would 
not  be  pacified  until  her  mother  promised  to  accompany  her.  She  em- 
barked at  Calais  on  the  21st  of  November,  1673.  The  Duke  gallantly 
awaited  her  on  the  sands  at  Dover,  and,  like  his  royal  father,  many  years 
before,  received  his  French  bride  in  his  arms.  He  was  charmed  with  her 
grace  and  loveliness,  and,  though  she  betrayed  a  childish  aversion  to  him, 
he  was  too  well  versed  in  the  art  of  playing  the  successful  wooer  to  ladies 
of  all  ages  to  notice  it,  and  lavished  upon  her  the  most  courtly  attentions. 


2G6 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


From  that  hour,  it  hecame  evident  that  New  Netherland  was  the  pivot 
upon  which  affairs  were  likely  to  turn.  The  States-General  had  com- 
mitted themselves  with  Spain  to  a  mutual  restoration  of  conquests,  while 
yet  ignorant  of  their  recent  American  acquisition.  With  the  news  of  their 
unexpected  good  fortune  came  a  sense  of  painful  embarrassment.  Peace 
was  desirable;  and  finally  they  determined  upon  the  sacrifice,  and,  through 
the  Spanish  ambassador  at  London,  offered  to  restore  New  Netherland. 
Charles  charged  the  Dutch  with  insincerity ;  but  Parliament  was  alive 
to  the  probable  consequences  of  the  Duke's  marriage,  and  informed  the 
king  that  the  treaty  was  inevitable.  Perceiving  that  his  lords  were  bent 
upon  keeping  him  poor  and  without  an  army,  Charles  suddenly  accepted 
the  terms,  although  he  said,  "  it  went  more  against  his  heart  than  the 
losing  of  his  right  hand."  When  he  had  committed  himself  too  far  to 
recede,  Louis  offered  him  five  million  and  a  half  dollars  and  forty  ships 
of  war  to  break  off  negotiations.  James  tried  to  accomplish  the  same 
result,  for  he  would  have  greatly  preferred  to  recover  his  losses  by  force 
of  arms.  The  treaty  was  signed,  however,  at  Westminster,  on  the 
9th  of  February,  1674,  and  peace  was  soon  after  proclaimed  at 
London  and  at  the  Hague.  Thus  England  escaped  a  disastrous  war, 
and  the  Dutch  were  rendered  less  apprehensive  of  Louis,  their  more 
dreaded  foe. 

The  news  reached  New  Netherland  early  in  June.  Governor  Colve 
received  instructions  from  the  States-General  to  restore  the  prov- 
ince to  any  person  whom  the  king  of  England  should  depute 
to  receive  it.  The  wise  heads  at  the  Hague  had  been  denied  even  one 
brief  moment  of  exultation  in  the  prospect  of  rearing  the  offspring  of 
their  offspring,  —  the  child  of  the  selfish  corporation  which  they  them- 
selves had  fostered.  Whatever  dreams  they  may  have  indulged  of  build- 
ing a  great  empire  midway  between  the  Royalist  and  Puritan  colonies 
of  England,  to  teach  the  world  lessons  in  civil  and  religious  liberty  and 
patriotic  devotion,  were  now  dissipated  forever.  But  the  spirits  of  a  few 
men  had  already  infused  into  the  character  of  the  people  elements  of 
greatness  destined  never  to  die  out,  and  laid  the  foundations  of  a  com- 
munity on  principles  of  freedom  and  virtue  winch,  through  all  the  muta- 
tions of  time,  will  increase  the  purity  and  power  of  the  nation. 

Sir  Edmund  Andros  was  the  newly  appointed  English  governor.  He 
had  been  brought  up  in  the  king's  household,  of  which  his  lather  was  the 
master  of  ceremonies.  He  had  distinguished  himself  in  the  army,  and, 
by  the  recent  death  of  his  father,  had  succeeded  to  the  office  of  bailiff 
of  Guernsey,  and  become  hereditary  seigneur  of  the  fief  of  Sausmarez. 
The  proprietor  of  Carolina  had  also  made  him  a  landgrave,  and  granted 


LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR  ANTHONY  BROCKHOLLS.  267 


Portrait  of  Andros. 


him  four  baronies  in  that  province.  He  was  about  thirty-seven  years  of 
age ;  well  informed  in  the  politics  of  the  time,  educated  in  history  and 
language  and  art,  and,  as  events  subsequently  developed,  possessed  of  great 
capacity  for  statesmanship.  His  private  character,  moreover,  was  without 
blemish.  His  wife,  Mary,  to  whom 
he  had  been  married  about  three 
years  and  who  accompanied  him  to 
this  country,  was  the  daughter  of 
Sir  Thomas  Craven.  His  commis- 
sion authorized  him  to  take  posses- 
sion of  New  York,  in  the  name  of 
Charles  II.    He  arrived  in  October. 

An  interesting  question  arose  at 
Whitehall,  touching  the  Duke's  title 
to  New  York.  The  most  eminent 
lawyers  in  England  were  taken  into 
council,  and  it  was  finally  decided 
that  all  subordinate  right  and  juris- 
diction had  been  extinguished  by 
the  Dutch  conquest ;  the  king  alone  was  proprietor  of  New  Netherland 
by  virtue  of  the  treaty  of  Westminster.  Charles  therefore  issued  a 
new  pateut  to  his  brother,  conveying  the  same  territory  as  before,  with 
absolute  powers  of  government.  And  the  Duke  gave  elaborate  instruc- 
tions to  Andros,  which  formed  the  temporary  political  constitution  of 
New  York. 

Anthony  Brockholls  was  appointed  lieutenant-governor.  He  was  a 
Roman  Catholic;  but  the  Test  Act,  which  would  have  excluded  him 
from  office  in  England,  did  not  reach  these  shores.  The  Duke,  still  writh- 
ing under  Protestant  intolerance,  was  thus  able  to  illustrate  his  own  ideas 
of  freedom  of  conscience. 

It  is  a  curious  fact,  that  the  king's  new  patent  to  the  Duke  read  as  if 
no  previous  English  patent  had  ever  existed.  It  conveyed,  ostensibly  for 
the  first  time,  a  territory,  which  the  Netherlands,  after  conquering  and 
holding  it,  had'  by  treaty  restored.  New  Jersey  was  once  more  the  prop- 
erty of  James,  together  with  all  the  territory  west  of  the  Connecticut 
River,  Long  Island  and  the  adjacent  islands,  and  the  region  of  Pemaquid. 

Boundary  dissensions,  litigations,  fines,  and  heart-burnings  were  all  to 
begin  at  the  original  starting-place  and  be  lived  over  again.  Berkeley 
and  Carteret  were  slightly  moved  to  anger  when  they  found  their  former 
purchases  annulled.  Berkeley  had  sold  his  undivided  half  of  New  Jer- 
sey for  one  thousand  pounds ;  and  John  Fenwick,  the  buyer,  thought  he 
17 


268 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  XEW  YORK. 


had  secured  a  bargain.  Sir  George  Carteret  was  vice-chamberlain  of  the 
royal  household,  and  a  resolute,  domineering  courtier.  These  gentlemen 
suddenly  found  themselves  without  any  legal  right  whatever  to  New 
Jersey,  and  were  not  slow  or  moderate  in  their  complaints.  Carteret 
wielded  the  greater  influence  of  the  two ;  and,  within  three  weeks  after  the 
commission  to  Andros  was  issued,  the  Duke  directed  Thomas  Wynning- 
ton,  his  attorney -general,  and  Sir  John  Churchill,  his  solicitor-general,  to 
prepare  a  grant  to  Carteret,  in  severalty,  of  a  part  of  the  portion  which, 
ten  years  before,  he  had  conveyed  to  Berkeley  and  Carteret  jointly} 

Whatever  may  be  said  of  the  scope  of  this  instrument,  its  history 
is  remarkable.  Before  he  granted  it,  James  hesitated  and  demurred. 
Charles  had  insisted  that  something  must  be  done  to  keep  Sir  George 
in  a  good-humor.  And  when  James  at  last  affixed  his  signature  to 
the  grant,  it  was  after  carefully  noting  that  it  contained  no  clause  by 
which  the  imperious  Carteret  could  claim  the  absolute  power  and  author- 
ity to  govern.  The  commission  to  Andros  comprehended  New  Jersey, 
and  it  was  not  altered.  Yet  Carteret,  esteeming  himself  sole  propri- 
etor, drew  up  a  paper  distinctly  recognizing  the  annihilation  of  this 
old  right  by  the  Dutch  conquest  and  the  recent  fresh  grant  from  the 
Duke,  and  at  the  same  time  commissioned  his  cousin  Philip  Carteret 
as  governor  over  his  possessions,  and  procured  his  passage  in  the  same 
vessel  with  Andros.  Lord  Berkeley  seems  to  have  been  ignored  alto- 
gether. 

The  Duke,  not  quite  at  ease  about  his  title  to  Long  Island,  as  he  had 
never  paid  Lord  Stirling  the  sum  agreed  upon  in  1664,  negotiated  a  life 
pension  of  three  hundred  pounds  a  year  for  him  on  condition  that  he 
would  yield  all  pretense  to  right  and  title.  This  was  satisfactory;  and 
Lord  Stirling  agreed  that,  if  the  Duke  would  procure  for  him  any  employ- 
ment of  the  like  value,  he  would  release  the  grant  of  his  annuity. 

The  frigates  Diamond  and  Castle,  with  the  gubernatorial  party, 
anchored  off  Staten  Island,  October  22,  1674.    Andros  sent  Gov- 
ernor Carteret,  with  Ensign  Knafton,  to  notify  Governor  Colve  of  his 

1  This  grant  was  described  as  the  tract  of  land  "  westward  of  Long  Island  and  Manhattan 
Island,  bounded  on  the  east  partly  by  the  main  sea  and  partly  by  Hudson's  River,  and  ex- 
tends southward  as  far  as  a  certain  creek  called  Barnegat,  being  about  the  middle  between  Sandy 
Point  and  Cape  May  ;  and  bounded  on  the  west  in  a  strait  line  from  Barnegat  to  a  certain 
creek  in  Delaware  River  next  to  and  below  a  certain  creek  called  Rankokus  Kill  ;  and  from 
thence  up  the  Delaware  River  to  the  northermost  branch  thereof  which  is  forty-one  degrees  and 
forty  minutes  of  latitude  ;  and  on  the  north  crosses  over  thence  in  a  strait  line  to  Hudson's 
River  in  forty-one  degrees  of  latitude  ;  which  said  tract  is  to  be  called  by  the  name  of  New 
Jersey."  Brod.he.ad,  II.  267.  Whitehead,  64.  Learning  and  Spiccr,  49.  Chalmers,  I.  617. 
Col,  Doc.,  III.  229,  240. 


GOVERNOR  COLVE'S  FAREWELL. 


269 


arrival,  and  of  his  readiness  to  receive  the  scepter  of  command.  The 
latter,  by  advice  of  his  council,  and  the  burgomasters  and  schepens,  asked 
for  eight  days,  in  which  to  complete  some  necessary  preliminaries.  Cor- 
nells Steenwyck,  Johannes  Van  Brugh,  and  William  Beekman  were 
appointed  to  pay  a  visit  of  welcome  to  Andros  on  board  the  Diamond, 
and  to  request  certain  privileges  for  the  Dutch  inhabitants  of  New  York. 
They  were  courteously  received,  invited  to  dine,  treated  to  the  choicest  of 
wines,  and  assured  that  every  Dutch  citizen  should  participate  in  all  the 
liberties  and  privileges  accorded  to  English  subjects.  To  the  several  arti- 
cles, relating  chiefly  to  the  settlement  of  debts,  the  validity  of  judgments 
during  the  Dutch  administration,  the  maintenance  of  owners  in  the  pos- 
session of  their  property,  the  retention  of  church  forms  and  ceremonies, 
etc.,  Andros  replied  that  he  would  give  such  answers  as  were  desired  as 
soon  as  he  had  assumed  the  government.  And  all  his  promises  were  hon- 
orably fulfilled. 

On  the  9th  of  November,  Governor  Colve  assembled  at  the  old  City 
Hall  the  burgomasters  and  schepens,  together  with  all  officers, 
civil  or  military,  who  had  served  under  him,  and,  in  a  short  speech,  Nov  9' 
absolved  them  from  their  oaths  of  allegiance  to  the  States-General  and 
the  Prince  of  Orange,  and  announced  that  on  the  morrow  he  would  sur- 
render the  fort  and  province  to  the  new  English  governor,  who  repre- 
sented the  king  of  England.  The  cushions  and  the  tablecloth  in  the 
City  Hall  were  placed  in  charge  of  Johannes  Van  Brugh  until  they  should 
be  claimed  by  superior  authority.  Then,  with  a  few  words  of  farewell,  he 
dismissed  the  assembly. 

The  next  day  was  Saturday.  Andros  landed  with  much  ceremony  and 
was  graciously  greeted  by  the  Dutch  commander.    The  final 

Nov  10 

transfer  of  the  province  took  place,  and  the  city  on  Manhattan 
Island  became  once  more  and  for  all  the  future  up  to  the  present  time, 
New  York.  One  of  the  most  friendly  incidents  of  the  occasion  occurred 
just  as  the  setting  sun  was  tinting  the  western  horizon.  Ex-Governor 
Colve  sent  his  coach  and  three  horses  with  a  formal,  flattering  message, 
as  a  gift  to  Governor  Andros. 

A  quiet  Sabbath  followed.    Dominie  Van  Nieuwenhuysen  was  assisted 
in  the  morning  service,  at  the  old  Dutch  church  in  the  fort,  by 
Rev.  Nicolaus  Van  Kensselaer,  a  younger  son  of  the  patroon,  and 
one  of  the  late  arrivals  by  the  Diamond}    He  was  an  ordained  clergyman, 

1  Dominie  Van  Rensselaer  had  fortunately  prophesied  to  Charles  II.,  when  the  latter  was 
an  exile  at  Brussels,  that  he  would  be  restored  to  the  throne.  When  that  event  occurred, 
the  dominie  accompanied  the  Dutch  ambassador,  Van  Gogh,  to  London,  as  chaplain  to  the 
embassy  ;  and  the  king,  remembering  his  prediction,  gave  Van  Rensselaer  a  gold  snuff-box 


270 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


and  had  been  recommended  by  James  to  fill  one  of  the  Dutch  churches 
in  New  York  or  Albany,  whenever  a  vacancy  should  occur.  Andros,  who 
was  a  member  of  the  Church  of  England,  attended  divine  service  in  the 
afternoon  in  the  same  sanctuary,  as  had  been  the  custom  of  his  prede- 
cessors. 

Early  on  Monday  morning,  Andros  wrote  a  polite  note  of  acknowledg- 
ment to  Colve  for  his  many  courtesies,  and  thanked  him  cordially  for  his 
unexpected  present.  He  likewise  returned  the  articles  which  had  been 
submitted  to  him,  nearly  all  of  which  had  been  agreed  to,  and  certified 
by  the  newly  sworn  secretary  of  the  province,  Matthias  Nicolls.  The 
latter  was  made  one  of  the  governor's  chief  counselors  and  also  mayor 
of  the  city. 

Andros  appointed  the  common  council  by  special  commission.  John 
Lawrence  was  made  deputy-mayor;  and  William  Derval,  Frederick 
Philipse,  Gabriel  Minvielle,  and  John  Winder,  aldermen.  They  were  to 
hold  their  offices  until  the  next  October.  Thomas  Gibbs  received  the 
appointment  of  sheriff ;  and  Captain  Dyer,  formerly  of  Ehode  Island,  that 
of  collector  of  the  revenues. 

Frederick  Philipse  was  known,  for  a  full  quarter  of  a  century  from  this 
time,  as  the  richest  man  in  New  York.  He  was  a  native  of  Friesland, 
and  came  to  this  country  to  seek  his  fortune,  when  New  York  was  in  her 

feeblest  infancy.  He  brought  no  money 
across  the  water,  as  has  been  generally  sup- 
posed. He  was  a  penniless  youth,  of  high 
birth,  with  extraordinary  tact  and  talent  for 
business,  and  a  smattering  of  the  carpenter's 
trade.  He  worked  at  the  latter  until  he 
could-  measure  and  master  the  situation.  It 
is  said  that  he  was  employed  on  the  old 
Dutch  church  in  the  fort,  and  actually  made 
the  pidpit  with  his  own  hands.  He  finally 
started  in  trade  and  was  successful,  particu- 
larly with  the  Indians.  He  was  persistently 
Phiiipse  s  Coat  of  Arms.  industrious  and  rose  rapidly  into  notice.  He 
is  spoken  of  as  a  well-to-do  merchant,  in  1662.    From  that  time  his 

with  his  portrait  on  the  lid,  which  is  still  preserved  by  the  family  at  Albany.  After  Van 
Gogh  left  London,  in  1665,  because  of  the  Dutch  war,  Van  Rensselaer  received  Charles's 
license  to  preach  in  the  Dutch  church  at  Westminster,  was  ordained  a  deacon  in  the  English 
Church  by  the  Bishop  of  Salisbury,  and  was  appointed  lecturer  in  Saint  Margaret's,  Lothbury. 
Van  Nieuwcnhuysen's  Letter  to  CI.  Amst,  May  30, 1676;  Col.  Doc,  III.  225.  Doc.  HM.  N.  Y., 
III.  526.  O'Call.,  I.  122,  212  ;  II.  552.  Uolgatc,  52.  Smith,  I.  49,  388.  Brodluad,  II.  272. 
New  York  Christ.  Inttll.,  Not.  2,  1866.    Mist.  Mag.,  IX.  352. 


FREDERICK  PHILIPSE. 


271 


advance  was  rapid.  The  wealthy  Peter  Eudolphus  De  Vries  died ;  and 
Philipse,  marrying  the  widow,  acquired  her  estate.  The  lady,  however,  was 
strong-minded,  quite  competent  to  manage  her  own  affairs,  and  altogether 
opposed  to  taxation  without  representation.  She  bought  and  traded  in 
her  own  name,  and  often  went  to  Holland  as  supercargo  in  her  own  ships. 
She  took  her  children  to  Europe,  and  gave  them  a  liberal  education.  The 
world  pronounced  her  able,  but  not  amiable.  The  world  sometimes  errs 
in  judgment,  and  may  have  done  so  in  this  instance,  for  there  is  no  evi- 
dence of  domestic  infelicity  in  the  Philipse  family.  On  the  contrary, 
Mrs.  Philipse  seems  to  have  been  in  sympathy  with  all  her  husband's 
plans  and  projects,  and  to  have  greatly  advanced  his  mercantile  interests. 

He  became  one  of  the  largest  traders  with  the  Five  Nations,  at  Albany ; 
he  sent  his  own  vessels  to  both  the  East  and  West  Indies  ;  he  imported 
slaves  from  Africa ;  and  (as  we  shall  see  hereafter)  there  were  audible 
whisperings,  when  piracy  was  at  its  zenith,  of  his  being  engaged  in  un- 
lawful trade  with  the  buccaneers  at  Madagascar.  The  latter  accusation, 
however,  if  true,  was  never  proven.  By  a  fortuitous  chain  of  circum- 
stances, the  united  avails  of  several  large  individual  fortunes  centered  in 
this  one  man.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife  (about  the  time  of  the 
advent  of  Governor  Sloughter),  he  married,  in  1693,  another  rich  widow. 
This  was  Catharine,  the  daughter  of  Oloff  S.  Van  Cortlandt,  and,  besides 
the  large  estate  bequeathed  by  her  father,  she  had  received  from  her 
deceased  husband  a  still  more  extensive  property.  She  was,  moreover, 
young  and  attractive,  had  a  sweet  disposition,  many  accomplishments, 
and  charming  manners. 

Frederick  Philipse  secured  to  himself,  by  purchase  of  the  Indians  and 
grants  from  the  government,  all  the  "  hunting-grounds "  between  Spuy- 
ten-Duyvil  and  the  Croton  Eiver.  In  1693,  this  vast  estate  was  formally 
erected  by  royal  charter  into  a  manor,  under  the  style  and  title  of 
the  manor  of  Philipseborough,  with  the  customary  privileges  of  a  lord- 
ship, such  as  holding  court-leet,  court-baron,  exercising  advowson,  etc. 
It  embraced  the  romantic  site  of  the  present  ambitious  city  of  Yonkers, 
which  extends  six  miles  along  the  Hudson  Eiver  by  three  miles  inland, 
and  in  the  very  heart  of  which  may  now  be  seen  the  pioneer  manor- 
house  erected  in  1682.  It  was  enlarged  and  improved  in  1745,  but  the 
practiced  eye  can  readily  determine  where  the  products  of  the  two  cen- 
turies were  joined  in  one  harmonious  whole.  There  still  swings  in  the 
center  of  the  southern  front  a  massive  door,  which  was  manufactured 
in  Holland  in  1681,  and  imported  by  the  first  Mrs.  Philipse  in  one  of  her 
own  vessels.  It  is  as  dark  as  ebony,  and  shows  where  the  upper  and 
lower  halves,  which  formerly  opened  separately,  were  fastened  together, 


272 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


This  old  manor-house  has  had  an  eventful  history,  and  finally,  in  the  year 
1867,  it  was  purchased  by  the  corporation  of  Yonkers  and  converted 
into  a  City  Hall.  Philipse  was,  for  more  than  twenty  years,  a  member  of 
the  governor's  council,  and  on  terms  of  intimacy  with  all  the  royal  gov- 
ernors, from  Andros  to  Bellamont.  His  enormous  wealth  entitled  him  to 
constant  consideration  ;  yet  he  was  no  favorite  with  the  magnates  of  his 
time.  He  was  grave,  even  to  melancholy,  and  talked  so  little  that  he  was 
often  pronounced  excessively  dull.  He  was  not  a  man  of  letters,  or  of 
any  special  culture.  He  was  intelligent,  apt,  a  close  observer  of  men  and 
things,  and  shrewd  almost  to  craftiness.  Although  an  official  adviser  to 
the  king's  commander-in-chief,  he  never  advised.  In  the  political  con- 
troversies which  were  more  deadly  bitter  in  that  remote  period  than  they 
have  ever  been  since,  he  never  meddled,  but  laid  his  hand  upon  his 
purse,  and  waited  to  see  which  party  was  likely  to  win.  He  was  tall  and 
well  proportioned,  with  a  quiet  gray  eye,  which  always  seemed  to  hide 
more  than  it  revealed,  a  Roman  nose,  and  a  mouth  expressive  of  strong 
wiD.  His  movements  were  slow  and  measured.  He  dressed  with  great 
care  and  precision,  wearing  the  full  embroidery,  lace  cuffs,  etc.,  of  the  time, 
and  his  head  was  crowned  with  that  absurd  and  detestable  monstrosity, 
i  —  a  periwig  with  flowing  ringlets. 

The  governor  and  his  council  were  to  meet  at  nine  o'clock  every  Fri- 
day morning  for  the  transaction  of  State  business.    The  first  mayor's 

court  was  convened  on  the  Wednesday  following  the  surrender. 

It  was  ordered  that  the  records  be  henceforth  kept  in  English, 
and  that  every  paper  offered  to  the  court  be  in  the  same  tongue,  except 
in  case  of  poor  people  who  could  not  afford  the  cost  of  translation.  This 
introduced  more  of  the  English  form  into  legal  proceedings  than  had 
heretofore  obtained,  but  it  was  several  years  before  the  custom  was  well 
established. 

Captain  Manning  returned  to  New  York  with  Governor  Andros  in  the 
Diamond.  He  had  sailed  for  England  shortly  after  the  recapture  of  New 
York  by  the  Dutch,  and,  suffering  the  affliction  of  losing  his  wife  on  the 
voyage,  had  arrived  in  London  while  the  Treaty  of  Westminster  was  yet 
in  suspense.  The  Duke  summoned  him  into  his  presence,  and,  after 
listening  to  his  account  of  the  surrender  of  New  York  to  the  Dutch,  cen- 
sured him  severely.  The  next  day,  he  was  closely  examined  in  Lord 
Arlington's  office  by  the  king  and  the  Duka  "  Brother,"  said  Charles  to 
James,  "  the  ground  could  not  have  been  maintained  by  so  few  men." 
Manning  was  dismissed  without  reprimand,  and  the  Duke,  after  a  time, 
paid  his  expenses  from  Fayal. 

But  some  of  those  who  had  lost  heavily  by  the  surrender  to  the  Dutch 


STRINGENT  MEASURES. 


273 


were  disposed  to  attribute  the  disaster  to  the  officer  in  command.  Al- 
derman Derval,  who  was  the  son-in-law  of  Thomas  Delavall,  was  very 
bitter  in  his  denunciations  of  Manning.  Andros  was  finally  compelled 
to  arrest  the  latter  ;  and  he  was  tried  by  a  court-martial,  composed  of  the 
governor  and  council,  Captains  Griffith,  Burton,  and  Salisbury,  and  the 
mayor  and  aldermen  of  the  city.  Six  charges  were  brought  against  him, 
involving  neglect  of  duty,  cowardice,  and  treachery.  A  number  of  wit- 
nesses testified  against  him ;  and,  although  he  endeavored  to  explain  his 
conduct,  rejected  indignantly  the  idea  of  treachery  or  cowardice,  and 
finally  threw  himself  upon  the  mercy  of  the  court,  he  was  found  guilty 
of  all  save  treachery,  and  pronounced  deserving  of  death.  As  he  had 
seen  the  king  and  the  Duke  since  the  crime  was  committed,  he  was 
allowed  the  benefit  of  the  proverb,  "  king's  face  brings  grace,"  and  his 
life  was  spared.  His  sentence  was  to  have  his  sword  broken  over  his 
head  in  front  of  the  "  City  Hall,"  and  to  be  rendered  incapable  of 
holding  any  station  of  trust  or  authority  under  the  government.  He 
had,  before  this,  purchased  a  large  island  in  the  East  River,  whither 
he  retired,  and  where  it  would  seem  his  disgrace  did  not  disturb  his  phi- 
losophy, for  he  entertained  largely  and  was  one  of  the  most  facetious  and 
agreeable  of  hosts.  He  settled  the  island  upon  Mary,  the  daughter  of  his 
wife  by  a  former  husband.  This  lady  married  Robert  Blackwell,  from 
whom  the  island  received  the  name  it  has  borne  to  the  present  time. 

Andros,  by  the  Duke's  order,  seized  the  estate  of  Lovelace,  and  required 
all  persons  possessing  any  portion  of  it  to  render  an  account.  He  thus 
obtained  possession  of  the  "  Dominie's  Bouwery,"  which  was  added  to 
the  Duke's  farm  adjoining.  He  visited  in  person  the  towns  on  the 
eastern  part  of  Long  Island,  and  soothed  the  ruffled  temper  of  the  people, 
who  prudently  avoided  any  direct  opposition  to  his  authority.  He  after- 
wards wrote  to  Winthrop  that  Connecticut  had  done  well  for  the  king 
by  her  interference  against  the  Dutch  during  the  past  year,  but  signifi- 
cantly hinted  that  henceforth  New  York  would  be  quite  able  to  stand 
without  neighborly  assistance.  The  town  clerk  of  Newtown  was  kept  an 
hour  upon  the  whipping-post,  in  front  of  the  City  Hall  of  the  capital,  with 
a  paper  pinned  to  his  breast,  stating  that  he  had  signed  seditious  letters 
against  the  government,  because  he  replied  to  the  governor's  proclama- 
tion reinstating  the  old  town  officers,  with  a  frank  statement  of  former 
grievances  under  Lovelace. 

In  March,  Andros  issued  an  order  requiring  every  citizen  of  the  March  13 
province  to  take  the  usual  oaths  of  allegiance  and  fidelity.  The 
mayor  and  aldermen  appointed  Monday,  March  13,  for  the  purpose, 
and  the  mayor's  court  was  in  session  at  an  early  hour.    Some  of  the 
18 


274 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


leading  men,  including  several  of  the  city  magistrates,  requested  that 
before  they  proceeded  with  the  business,  Andros  should  confirm  the 
pledge  of  Governor  Nicolls,  "  that  the  capitulation  of  August,  1664,  was 
not  in  the  least  broken,  or  intended  to  be  broken,  by  any  words  or 
expressions  in  the  said  oath."  As  they  understood  it,  this  capitulation 
had  been  confirmed  by  the  sixth  article  of  the  Treaty  of  Westmin- 
ster; and  such  seems  to  have  been  the  opinion  of  the  Duke  himself. 
The  mayor,  Matthias  Nicolls,  claimed  to  know  nothing  of  any  such 
pledge  on  the  part  of  the  former  governor,  and  evinced  much  surprise 
when  a  copy  was  produced.  The  gentlemen  declared  that  they  only 
wished  to  be  assured  of  future  freedom  of  religion,  and  exemption 
from  the  duty  of  fighting  against  their  own  nation  in  time  of  war. 
But  Andros  fancied  he  detected  something  of  covert  mutiny,  and 
haughtily  required  them  to  take  the  oath  without  qualification.  There- 
upon a  petition  was  drafted,  asking  the  governor  to  accept  the  oath  in 
the  manner  and  form  approved  by  Nicolls,  or  to  allow  the  parties  con- 
cerned to  dispose  of  their  estates  and  remove  elsewhere  with  their 
families.  It  was  signed  by  Cornelis  Steenwyck,  Johannes  Van  Brugh, 
Johannes  De  Peyster,  Nicholas  Bayard,  ^Egidius  Luyck,  William  Beek- 
man,  Jacob  Kip,  and  Anthony  De  Milt.  It  was  promptly  rejected  by 
Andros,  without  discussion,  and  its  eight  signers  were  immediately 
arrested  and  imprisoned,  on  a  charge  of  trying  to  foment  rebellion. 
Their  examination  took  place  in  the  presence  of  Andros  and  his  council, 
Governor  Carteret  of  New  Jersey,  and  Captains  Griffith  and  Burton,  of 
the  English  frigates.  Their  case  was  turned  over  to  the  next  Court  of 
Assizes,  and  meanwhile  they  were  released  on  bail.  When  their  trial 
came  on,  De  Peyster  was  acquitted,  through  the  taking  of  the  oath  ; 
the  other  seven  were  convicted  of  a  violation  of  the  act  of  Parliament  in 
having  traded  without  taking  the  oath,  and  their  goods  were  accordingly 
forfeited ;  but  eventually  the  penalties  were  remitted  by  the  prisoners 
taking  the  required  oath,  and  thus  the  difficulty  ended. 

About  the  first  of  May,  Andros  wrote  to  Wiuthrop,  claiming  for  the 
„    ,    Duke  of  York  the  country  west  of  the  Connecticut  River,  and 

May  1.   •      j  •  . 

sending  copies  of  the  Duke's  patent  and  his  own  commission.  The 
General  Court  of  Connecticut  replied  that  their  charter  came  from  the 
king,  and  that  they  should  rest  upon  the  boundary  arrangement  of  1664. 

Andros  demanded  possession,  which  was  flatly  refused.    He  then 

June  28.         .  1  J 

equipped  an  armed  force  and  sailed  up  the  Sound,  anchoring  just 
off  Saybrook  Point,  with  the  intention  of  reducing  the  fort.    But  he 
found  the  people  prepared  for  a  determined  resistance,  and  was 
unwilling  to  take  the  responsibility  of  bloodshed. 


ROBERT  LIVINGSTON. 


275 


He  sent  one  of  his  sloops  to  Boston,  with  supplies  for  the  aid  of  the 
New-Englanders,  who  were  fighting  the  Indians.  And,  to  prevent  mis- 
chief nearer  home,  he  crossed  Long  Island  on  horseback,  disarming  the 
Indians  everywhere,  and  reviewing  the  militia.  Upon  reaching  New 
York,  he  sent  for  the  Long  Island  and  New  Jersey  sachems,  and  renewed 
with  them  the  old  treaty  of  peace.  The  intrigues  of  the  French  mis- 
sionaries among  the  Iroquois  having  created  disturbance,  Andros  visited 
Albany,  Schenectady,  and  the  warlike  tribes  one  hundred  miles  beyond. 
He  was  entertained  by  the  savages  everywhere,  and  created  a  strong 
sentiment  in  favor  of  the  English.  The  sachems,  in  the  happiest  temper, 
renewed  their  former  alliance.  Before  he  left  Albany  on  his  homeward 
journey,  he  organized  a  local  board  of  commissioners  for  Indian  affairs, 
of  which  he  appointed  Robert  Livingston  the  secretary. 

This  gentleman  was  a  scion  of  an  ancient  and  honorable  Scotch  family, 
whose  lordly  ancestors  had  drunk  wine  from  king's  goblets  for  cen- 
turies. His  father  was  Rev.  John  Livingston,  whose  name  ranks  high  in 
the  Scotch  Church,  and  who  was  one  of  the  commissioners  appointed  by 
Parliament  to  negotiate  with  Charles  the  terms  of  his  restoration  to 
the  throne,  but  who  was  afterward  prosecuted  with  vigorous  rancor 
for  non-conformity,  and  obliged  to  take  ref- 
uge in  Rotterdam. 

Robert  Livingston  was  a  bold  and  adven- 
turous young  man,  and  had  been  in  the  coun- 
try about  a  year.  His  ability  and  promise 
were  so  marked,  that,  within  a  week  after  his 
arrival,  he  had  been  made  town  clerk  of  Al- 
bany. He  acquired  great  influence  over  the 
Indians,  and  retained  the  office  which  he  re- 
ceived from  Andros  for  a  long  series  of  years. 
He  married,  in  1683,  Alida,  the  widow  of 
Rev.  Nicolaus  Van  Rensselaer  and  daughter 
of  Philip  Pietersen  Schuyler.   He  was  a  man  Livingston  coat  of  Arms, 

of  strongly  marked  individuality,  of  original  conceptions,  of  irrepressible 
opinions,  of  obstinate  determination,  of  untiring  acquisitiveness,  and,  for 
the  age  in  which  he  lived,  of  no  mean  culture.  He  was,  in  short,  a  man 
to  be  remembered  on  his  own  account,  independent  of  birth  or  connection. 
Yet  his  birth  and  connection  gave  him  social  position  in  the  Old 
World,  and  were  not  without  their  advantage  to  him  in  the  New ; 
for,  on  his  frequent  visits  to  England,  in  after  years,  the  state  policy 
of  the  colonial  government  or  his  own  private  interests  were  not  in- 
frequently the  better  served  through  his  standing  in  the  society,  and  his 


276 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


influence  with  the  ruling  classes,  of  the  mother  country.    He  was  tall, 
and  well  developed  in  figure,  with  a  somewhat  cloudy  complexion,  brown 
hair,  and  dark,  inscrutable  eyes.    He  was  polished  in  his  manners,  but 
careless  of  giving  pleasure  and  indifferent  to  giving  pain  ;  and  withal,  so 
icily  impertinent  at  times  as  never  to  attain  popularity  in  New  York.  He 
was  of  infinite  value  to  the  colony,  for  his  energy  and  activity  set  in 
motion  many  a  wheel  which  otherwise  would  have  been  long  in  turning. 
In  October  of  the  same  year,  the  burning  of  Hadley,  Deerfield,  North- 
field,  and  Springfield  induced  Andros  to  seriously  contemplate 
engaging  the  Iroquois  to  go  to  the  aid  of  New  England  against 
the  murderous  Indians  within  her  borders.    Connecticut  declined  the 
offer  of  such  assistance,  insinuating  certain  reflections  upon  the  Dutch, 
and  upon  the  conduct  of  Andros.    The  latter  replied  satirically  and 
demanded  explanations.    Samuel  Willys  and  William  Pitkin  were  sent 
by  Connecticut  to  hold  a  personal  interview  with  Andros  at  the 
1676.  They  asked  permission  to  talk  with  the  Iroquois  at  Albany. 

They  were  told  that  it  was  strange  that  a  colony  so  jealous  about  their 
own  concerns  should  seek  to  treat  with  separate  portions  of  another  gov- 
ernment. Andros,  however,  expressed  his  willingness  to  do  all  in  his 
power  to  procure  peace  between  New  England  and  her  Indian  enemies. 
It  was  a  time  of  great  tribulation  throughout  the  whole  country.  Pema- 
quid  was,  shortly  after,  burned,  and  Andros  dispatched  a  sloop  to  Boston 
to  bring  the  sufferers  to  New  York.  But  Philip,  the  great  Indian 
Aug'  "  chief  who  had  instigated  the  war,  was  suddenly  slain  in  a  swam}), 
and  these  barbarous  hostilities  came  to  an  end. 

The  Connecticut  boundary  was  still  unsettled.  The  Duke  wrote  to 
Andros  that  he  was  willing  things  should  rest  as  they  were  for  the  pres- 
ent. As  to  assemblies  —  for  which  New  York  had  petitioned  —  he  said 
they  were  useless  and  dangerous,  apt  to  assume  to  themselves  too  many 
privileges,  and  hazardous  to  the  peace  of  the  government ;  but  he  added, 
"  Howsoever,  if  you  continue  of  the  same  opinion,  I  shall  be  ready  to 
consider  any  proposals  you  shall  send,  to  that  purpose." 

Since  the  Peace  of  Westminster,  American  affairs  had  been  restored  to 
tlit!  immediate  control  of  the  crown,  through  the  dissolution  of  the  Coun- 
cil for  Plantations  and  the  transfer  of  the  records  to  the  Privy  Council. 
It  was  the  intention  to  strictly  enforce  the  navigation  and  custom  laws 
in  the  colonies.  This  caused,  for  a  time,  a  cessation  of  trade  between 
New  York  and  Boston  (since  no  European  goods  might  he  imported  from 
one  place  to  the  other  without  the  payment  of  customs  in  England), 
and  produced  misunderstandings  and  heartburnings  between  the  two 
colonies. 


CITY  IMPROVEMENTS. 


211 


Andros  took  an  active  personal  interest  in  city  affairs.  He  advised 
and  suggested  laws  for  correcting  morals,  suppressing  profanity  and 
intemperance,  and  punishing  Sabbath-breakers.  The  city  gates  were 
closed  at  nine  o'clock  and  opened  at  daylight.  Every  citizen  was  re- 
quired to  possess  a  musket,  with  a  small  quantity  of  powder  and  ball,  and 
to  take  part  in  the  night  watch,  when  called  upon.  Masters  of  vessels 
coming  into  port  must  always  furnish  the  mayor  with  a  full  list  of  their 
passengers,  under  penalty  of  fine.  Peddling  was  prohibited,  as  freemen 
and  burghers  only  were  allowed  to  sell  goods  in  the  city.  A  number  of 
good  dwellings  were  erected,  and  all  owners  of  vacant  lots  were  ordered 
to  improve  them,  under  penalty  of  having  them  sold  at  public  auction 
Nicholas  De  Meyer  was  the  mayor  in  1676.  He  was  a  merchant  and  an 
old  resident ;  his  wife  was  the  daughter  of  Hendrick  Van  Dyck.  He  was 
so  ambitious  for  the  prosperity  of  New  York,  and  projected  so  many 
improvements,  that  Andros  laughingly  called  him  the  "  new  broom,"  and 
charged  him  with  sweeping  all  the  rubbish  into  the  ditch  at  Broad  Street. 
That  famous  canal  was,  during  the  year,  filled  and  made  level  with  the 
rest  of  the  land  about  it.  The  tan-pits  which  it  had  hitherto  contained, 
and  which  had  been  complained  of  as  a  nuisance  by  the  dwellers  in  the 
vicinity,  were  removed  and  established  along  Maiden  Lane,  where  there 
was  a  marshy  valley  and  a  similar  influx  of  water.  One  company,  con- 
sisting of  four  shoemakers  who  were  also  tanners,  bought  a  piece  of  land 
bounded  by  Maiden  Lane,  Broadway,  Ann  Street,  and  a  line  between 
William  and  Gold  Streets,  and  prosecuted  a  flourishing  business. 
Slaughter-houses  were  ordered  out  of  the  city  limits,  and  were  afterwards 
located  over  the  water  at  "  Smit's  Vly,"  which  was  so  called  from  a 
blacksmith  who  set  up  a  forge  on  the  corner  of  Maiden  Lane  and  Pearl 
Street,  and  intercepted  the  custom  of  the  Long  Island  farmers  on  their 
way  to  the  city.  Six  wine  and  four  beer  taverns  were  licensed.  No 
grain  was  allowed  to  be  distilled  unless  unfit  for  flour.  Everybody  was 
allowed  to  cut  wood  on  the  island,  at  a  distance  of  one  mile  from  a  house. 
The  fort  was  repaired.  Andros  removed  the  kitchen  of  the  governor's 
house,  over  which  was  the  old  armory,  because  the  roof  was  leaky  and 
rotten.  Presently  arose  a  new  building  in  its  place.  He  removed  the 
tiles  from  the  roof  of  the  main  edifice  and  substituted  shingles.  He  set 
stockades  around  the  fort,  to  protect  it  from  animals,  and  closed  the  gate 
upon  the  water  side.  He  also  placed  the  arms  of  the  Duke  of  York  over 
the  Broadway  entrance. 

In  1677,  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  was  appointed  mayor.    He  lfi77 
was  the  son  of  Oloff  S.  Van  Cortlandt,  and  the  first  native-born 
citizen  who  had  filled  the  office.    He  was  some  thirty-four  years  old,  of 


278 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


fine  presence,  with  commanding  countenance  and  courtly  bearing.  He 
had  been  trained  under  a  learned  tutor  in  the  severe  and  thorough  men- 
tal culture  which  distinguished  his  parents,  and  was,  in  many  respects,  a 
brilliant  character.  His  wealth  was  enormous.  His  wife  —  whom  he 
married  in  1671  —  was  the  beautiful  Gertrude  Schuyler  of  Albany,  one  of 
the  few  chosen  friends  of  Lady  Andros.  They  lived  in  a  handsome  and 
well-furnished  house,  on  the  corner  of  Broad  and  Pearl  Streets,  and  sub- 
sequently built  the  Cortlandt  manor-house  on  the  Hudson. 

It  was  he  who  carried  into  execution  the  digging  of  the  first  public 
wells  in  the  city.  They  were  six  in  number,  each  located  in  the  middle 
of  a  street.  Water  was  not  plentiful  in  them,  and  that  little  was  brack- 
ish. But  they  were  esteemed  a  -security  against  fires,  if  of  no  greater  value. 
The  same  year,  a  new  dock  was  built,  at  the  expense  of  the  property- 
owners.  The  old  graveyard  on  the  west  side  of  Broadway  was  sold  off 
in  budding-lots,  each  one  of  which  extended  to  the  river's  edge.  At  this 
date,  there  were  sixty-five  dwellings  on  Broadway.  Francis  Rombouts's 
home,  upon  or  near  the  site  of  Trinity  Church,  was  the  handsomest  of 
them  all.  It  had  been  lately  enlarged  and  beautified,  and  its  pictu- 
resque gardens  and  grounds  extended  even  to  the  water  below.  Rom- 
bouts  was  an  educated  Frenchman,  of  high  birth  and  large  wealth.  In 
the  year  following  Van  Cortlandt's  mayoralty  he  was  appointed  mayor. 
This  was  the  year  noted  for  the  passage  of  the  celebrated  "  Bolting 
Act,"  which  secured  to  the  citizens  of  New  York  the  exclusive 
right  of  bolting  flour,  and  exporting  it  from  the  province,  —  an 
act  which,  during  the  sixteen  years  of  its  existence,  trebled  the  wealth 
of  the  city.  It  created  great  dissatisfaction  in  the  inland  towns,  and, 
through  their  united  efforts,  it  was  finally  repealed,  in  1G94.  But 
meanwhile  six  hundred  houses  had  been  erected,  land  had  increased  to 
ten  times  its  former  value,  and  the  shipping  had  multiplied  into  sixty 
full-sized  vessels,  which  were  in  constant  use  for  the  transportation  of  the 
golden  fruits  of  the  monopoly. 

The  most  important  measure  of  the  year  1679  had  reference  to  Indian 
slaves.    Many  of  the  natives  of  the  Spanish  West  Indies  were 

1679 

held  in  bondage,  and  also  some  of  the  Indians  of  New  York.  Tt 
was  resolved,  that  "  all  Indians  here  have  always  been  and  are  free,  and 
not  slaves,  except  those  brought  from  foreign  parts.  But  if  any  shall  be 
brought  hereafter  into  the  province  within  the  space  of  six  months,  they 
are  to  be  disposed  of  out  of  the  government  as  soon  as  possible.  After 
the  expiration  of  six  months,  all  that  shall  be  brought  here  shall  be  as 
other  free  Indians." 

Andros  spent  the  winter  of  1678  in  England,  by  special  permission. 


NEGRO  SLAVES. 


279 


He  told  the  Duke  that  the  greatest  want  in  New  York  was  that  of 
servants.  Few  negro  slaves  had  been  brought  in  of  late,  and  their  value 
was  greatly  increased.  They  cost  from  thirty  to  thirty-five  pounds  each. 
He  said  the  value  of  the  estates  in  the  province  amounted  to  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  pounds.  A  merchant  having  five  hundred  or 
a  thousand  pounds  was  thought  substantial ;  and  a  planter  worth  half 
that  in  movables  was  accounted  rich.  "Ministers  were  scarce  and  re- 
ligions many ;  but  there  were  no  beggars  in  New  York,  and  all  the  poor 
were  cared  for." 

During  the  absence  of  Andros,  Lieutenant-Governor  Brockholls  acted 
as  commander-in-chief.  Secretary  Nicolls  was  next  him  in  authority, 
both  being  instructed  to  consult,  on  extraordinary  occasions,  with  the 
mayor  of  the  city.  Lady  Andros  was  invested  with  a  power  of  attorney 
to  manage  the  governor's  private  affairs,  and  she  fulfilled  her  task  with 
credit. 


"At  the  first  interview  they  stood  so  appalled  as  if  the  ghosts  of  Luther  and  Calvin  had 
suffered  a  transmigration."  —  Page  284. 


280 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

1678-1683. 
EUROPEAN  AFFAIRS. 

European  Affairs.  —  Prince  of  Orange  in  London.  —  Marriage  of  William  and 
Mary. — Peace  between  Holland  and  France.  —  Jacob  Leisler. — The  Climate 
of  New  York. — The  Minister's  Supper. — Conversation  in  Latin. — Ecclesi- 
astical Troubles.  —  Hunting  Bears  between  Cedar  Street  and  Maiden  Lane.  — 
The  two  Labadists. — Jean  Vigne. — The  Travelers  on  Long  Island. — Sleep- 
ing in  a  Barn.  —  The  First  Classis  in  America.  —  Movement  to  build  a 
New  Church. — The  Uneasy  Indians. — New  Jersey. — Arrest  and  Trial  of 
Governor  Carteret.  —  East  and  West  New  Jersey.  —  Faulty  Deeds.  — Imperi- 
'  ousness  of  andros.  — wllliam  penn's  sophistry.  —  opinion  of  slr  wllliam 
Jones.  —  Complaints  against  Andros.  —  Founding  of  Pennsylvania.  —  Recall 
of  Andros.  —  Clamor  for  an  Assembly.  —  Lieutenant-Governor  Brockholls.  — 
Almost  a  Colonial  Revolution.  —  Long  Island.  —  Insubordination.  — An  Assem- 
bly granted.  — Thomas  Dongan.  — The  Triumphal  March. 

THE  constitution  of  England  had  recently  been  violated  for  the  pur- 
pose of  protecting  the  Eoman  Catholics  from  the  penal  laws.  It 
created  the  general  fear  that  a  blow  was  about  to  be  aimed  at  the  Protes- 
tant religion ;  and  the  public  mind  was  in  such  temper,  that  every  move- 
ment on  the  part  of  the  king  was  regarded  with  suspicion,  as  leaning 
towards  Rome. 

Louis,  still  at  war  with  Holland,  carefully  fomented  these  jealousies. 
As  a  neutral  between  the  two  fighting  nations,  England  engrossed  the 
principal  commerce  of  the  world.  The  Dutch,  seeing  their  commerce  lan- 
guish, while  that  of  England  flourished,  naturally  longed  for  peace  with 
Erance.  The  Prince  of  Orange  visited  London,  to  enlist  his  uncle,  the 
king,  in  the  important  undertaking,  while  negotiations  were  opened  at 
Nimeguen  on  the  Rhine. 

Charles  received  William  cordially  and  affectionately;  and  the  young 
prince  remained  some  weeks  at  Whitehall,  talking  with  his  two  uncles 
about  the  proposed  treaty.  He  was  about  to  depart  for  Holland,  when 
the  king  said  to  him,  "  Nephew,  it  is  not  good  for  man  to  be  alone ;  I 
will  give  you  a  helpmeet,"  —  and  thereupon  offered  him  the  hand  of 


MARRIAGE  OF  WILLIAM  AND  MARY.  281 


his  ccrasin  Mary  in  marriage.  James,  who  had  been  hitherto  bitterly 
opposed  to  giving  his  daughter  to  a  heretic,  and  who  was  ambitious 
withal  to  marry  her  to  the  Dauphin  of  France, 'gave  his  consent  with 
seeming  heartiness.  William  smiled  grimly,  showing  no  disposition, 
as  on  a  former  occasion,  to  decline  the  splendid  alliance.  "  Nephew," 
added  Charles,  "  remember  that  love  and  war  do  not  agree  well  to- 
gether." 

The  news  of  the  intended  marriage  spread  through  the  court.  All, 
except  the  French  and  the  Roman  Catholic  party,  were  much  pleased 
with  it.  Barillon,  the  French  ambassador,  was  amazed,  and  predicted 
that  such  a  son-in-law  would  be  the  ruin  of  James.  He  sent  a  courier 
to  the  Court  of  France  with  the  tidings,  and  Louis  was  moved  more 
seriously  than  he  would  have  been  by  the  loss  of  an  army. 

The  marriage  followed  cpiickly.  It  took  place  on  the  4th  of  Novem- 
ber, William's  twenty-seventh  birthday.  The  bride  was  fifteen  1677. 
the  preceding  April.  She  had  been  educated  with  her  sister  Nov- 4- 
Anne  at  the  Eichmond  palace,  knew  something  of  science  and  accom- 
plishments, spoke  and  wrote  French  well,  sketched  a  little,  read  history 
attentively,  and  possessed  some  musical  skill.  Her  chief  faults,  as  a 
child,  were  love  of  eating  and  gambling.  The  latter  amusement  she 
persistently  indulged  in  on  Sunday  evenings,  to  the  great  distress  of  her 
tutor.  She  had  been  confirmed  in  the  Church  of  England  by  the  Bishop 
of  London,  in  obedience  to  the  orders  of  the  king.  When  first  in- 
formed of  her  future  prospects,  she  wept  piteously  in  her  father's  arms. 
The  ceremony  was  performed  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening,  in  her 
bedchamber,  in  the  presence  of  the  king  and  queen,  the  Duke  and 
Duchess  of  York,  and  a  few  official  attendants.  Bishop  Compton  offi- 
ciated, while  Charles  gave  away  the  sobbing  Mary,  and,  at  the  same 
time,  little  foreseeing  the  momentous  consequences  of  such  Dutch 
and  British  nuptials,  attempted  to  overcome  her  dejection  by  noisy 
joviality. 

Two  days  later,  Mary  was  deprived  of  her  position  as  heiress  pre- 
sumptive to  the  crown  of  England  by  the  birth  of  a  son  to  the  Duke 
of  York,  and  William  was  complimented  with  the  office  of  sponsor  to 
the  unwelcome  relative.  But  the  little  life  was  not  destined  to  be  of 
long  duration.  The  bridegroom  might  have  spared  his  pretty  young 
bride  the  unhappiness  of  seeing  him  in  constant  ill-humor  during  the 
honeymoon.  The  whole  court  was  surprised  and  indignant  that  she 
was  rarely  seen  except  in  tears;  and,  to  add  to  her  griefs,  her  sister 
Anne  was  lying  dangerously  ill  of  sm;dl-pox.  On  the  19th  of  Novem- 
ber, Mary  sailed  with  William  for  Holland,  Charles  and  James  accom- 


282 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


panying  them  as  far  as  Erith,  where  they  bade  them  an  affectionate 
farewell. 

The  conference  at  Nimeguen  progressed  briskly  alter  William's  mar- 
riage. Parliament  voted  supplies  for  a  possible  war  with  France,  and 
recalled  all  English  soldiers  and  sailors  who  had  been  on  duty  under 
Louis.  But  the  chief  source  of  anxiety  was  at  home.  Religious  con- 
venticles had  just  then  reached  an  insufferable  pitch,  and  wild  doctrines 
were  being  sown  in  all  parts  of  the  kingdom.  The  Titus  Oates  perjuries 
wellnigh  produced  a  convulsion  ;  and  presently  the  sight  of  James  so 
inflamed  the  populace,  that  the  king  sent  him,  with  his  wife  and  daugh- 
ter, to  Brussels.  Mary  met  her  father  with  the  first  sunny  face  she 
had  worn  since  her  gloomy  wedding.  He  was  soon  ordered  to  Scot- 
land, and  she  accompanied  him  on  the  journey  as  far  as  the  Maesland 
sluice,  parting  from  him  in  an  agony  of  sorrow.  How,  at  that  moment, 
she  would  have  recoiled,  could  the  future  have  been  unrolled  to  her 
vision  ! 

Peace  was  at  length  covenanted  between  the  French  and  the  Dutch. 
1678.  Andros  watched  with  interest  the  progress  of  events.    He  reached 
Aug.  i.  England  in  January,  and  was  at  once  knighted  by  the  king ; 
after  which  he  took  a  short  holiday,  to  look  after  his  private  affairs  at 
(hiernsey.    Upon  his  return  to  court,  he  attended  the  meetings  of  the 
Privy  Council.     Two  agents  from  Massachusetts  were  present,  and  in 
great  tribulation  because  of  the  seeming  ill-favor  of  their  colony  at 
Whitehall.    Andros  took  occasion  to  add  still  further  to  their  trials  by 
exposing  the  behavior  of  the  Puritan  colonies  towards  New  York,  particu- 
larly in  connection  with  the  late  Indian  war,  —  a  subject  which  was  imme- 
diately investigated  by  this  supreme  tribunal.    He  also  gave  a  lull  and 
specific  account  of  the  internal  administration  of  New  York.    The  Duke 
required  him  to  return  immediately  to  his  government,  and  he 
'  sailed  May  27,  commissioned  as  Vice-Admiral  over  all  the  Duke's 
territory,  and  authorized  to  appoint  a  Judge,  Register,  and  Marshal  in 
Admiralty,  to  hold  ollice  during  his  pleasure. 

He  made  it  his  first  business  to  order  that  none  but  New-Yorkers 
should  trade  with  the  Indians  at  Albany;  also,  that  no  inland 
Aug' 8  towns  should  "  trade  over  sea,"  and  that  all  flour  must  be  in- 

Aug.  24.  ' 

spected  in  the  metropolis. 
During  this  month,  news  having  been  received  that  Jacob  Leisler, 
while  on  a  trading  voyage  to  Europe  in  one  of  his  own  vessels,  had  been 

captured  by  the  Turks,  the  governor  issued  an  order  that  the 
Aug'17'  church  officers  should  collect  money  of  well-disposed  persons  in 
the  province  for  his  redemption.    Leisler  himself  paid  two  thousand 


THE  CLIMATE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


283 


Spanish  dollars  towards  the  fund,  and  was  soon  after  released,  together 
with  those  who  were  in  captivity  with  him.1 

The  first  Judge  in  Admiralty  appointed  by  Andros  was  Mayor  Stephanus 
Van  Cortlandt.  The  aldermen  of  the  city  were  to  be  assistants  of  the 
Provincial  Court  of  Admiralty.  Samuel  Leete,  the  city  clerk,  was  ap- 
pointed register,  and  Sheriff  Thomas  Ashton,  marshal,  of  the  court.  This 
organization,  substantially,  existed  for  several  years. 

Some  gentlemen  crossed  the  ocean  with  Andros,  on  his  return  voyage, 
who  were  destined  to  become  prominent  in  public  affairs ;  among  them 
were  William  Pinhorne,  James  Graham,  and  John  West.  Rev.  James 
Wolley,  a  recent  graduate  of  Cambridge  University,  came  also  as  chaplain 
to  the  British  forces  in  New  York.  He  was  called  by  his  contemporaries 
"  a  gentleman  of  learning  and  observation  ;  sociable  of  habit  and  charita- 
ble in  feeling."  He  published,  after  his  return  to  England,  "A  Two 
Years'  Journal  in  New  York,"  which  was  highly  appreciated.  Despite  its 
pedantry,  and  the  fact  that  it  gives  a  more  detailed  account  of  the 
Indians  than  of  the  European  settlers,  the  work  abounds  in  valuable  in- 
formation. One  paragraph,  in  relation  to  the  climate  of  New  York,  is  too 
curiously  characteristic  to  be  omitted.    It  is  as  follows  :  ■ — 

.  "  It  is  of  a  sweet  and  wholesome  breath,  free  from  those  annoyances  which 
are  commonly  ascribed  by  naturalists  for  the  insaluhriety  of  any  Country,  viz. 
South  or  South-east  Winds,  stagnant  Waters,  lowness  of  Shoars,  inconstancy  of 
Weather,  and  the  excessive  heat  of  the  Summer ;  it  is  gently  refreshed,  fanned, 
and  allayed  by  constant  breezes  from  the  Sea.  It  does  not  welcome  Guests  and 
Strangers  with  the  seasoning  distempers  of  Fevers  and  Fluxes,  like  Virginia, 
Maryland,  and  other  Plantations;  nature  kindly  drains  and  purgeth  it  by  Fon- 
tanels and  Issues  of  running  waters  in  its  irriguous  Valleys,  and  shelters  it  with 
the  umbrellas  of  all  sorts  of  Trees,  from  pernicious  Lakes  ;  which  Trees  and 
Plants  do  undoubtedly,  tho'  insensibly,  suck  in  and  digest  into  their  own  growth 
and  composition  those  subterraneous  Particles  and  Exhalations,  which  otherwise 
wou'd  be  attracted  by  the  heat  of  the  Sun  and  so  become  matter  for  infectious 

Clouds  and  malign  Atmospheres  I  myself,  a  person  seemingly  of  a  weakly 

Stamen  and  a  valetudinary  Constitution,  was  not  in  the  least  indisposed  in  that 
Climate,  during  my  residence  there,  the  space  of  three  years." 

Speaking  of  the  temperature,  he  says  :  — 

"  New  York  lieth  10  Degrees  more  to  the  Southward  than  Old  England  ;  by 
which  difference  according  to  Philosophy  it  should  be  the  hotter  Climate,  but  on 


1  Ord.  Warr.  Passes,  III.  219.  Council  Min.,  III.  (II.),  178.  Gen.  Ent.,  XXXII.  65. 
Muss.  Rec,  V.  289.   (Jul.  Doc,  \\\.  ni ■    Doc,  Hist.,  II,  2 ;  III.  253,    Laws  of  Maryland, 


284  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


the  contrary,  to  speak  feelingly,  I  found  it  in  the  Winter  Season  rather  colder 
for  the  most  part ;  ....  it  is  adjacent  to  and  almost  encompassed  with  an  hilly, 
woody  Country,  full  of  Lakes  and  great  Vallies,  which  receptacles  are  the 
^Nurseries,  Forges  and  Bellows  of  the  Air,  which  they  first  suck  in  and  contract, 
then  discharge  and  ventilate  with  a  fiercer  dilatation." 

The  inhabitants  of  New  York  he  called  "  a  clan  of  high-flown  Religion- 
ists " ;  yet  he  said  they  were  very  hospitable  and  often  invited  him  to 
their  houses  and  tables,  the  last  overture  usually  including  a  generous 
bottle  of  Madeira.  He  made  a  personal  endeavor  to  promote  good  feeling 
among  the  clergymen  of  the  different  denominations  in  the  city.  He 
says : — 

"  There  were  two  other  Ministers,  or  Dominies  as  they  were  called  there,  the 
one  a  Lutheran,  or  High-Dutch,  the  other  a  Calvinist,  or  Low-Dutchman,  who 
behaved  themselves  one  towards  another  so  shily  and  uncharitably  as  if  Luther 
and  Calvin  had  bequeathed  and  entailed  their  virulent  and  bigoted  Spirits  upon 
them  and  their  heirs  forever.  They  had  not  visited  or  spoken  to  each  other  with 
any  respect  for  six  years  together  before  my  being  there,  with  whom  I  being 
much  acquainted,  I  invited  them  both  with  their  Vrows  to  a  Supper  one  night 
unknown  to  each  other,  with  an  obligation,  that  they  should  not  speak  one  word 
in  Dutch,  under  the  penalty  of  a  bottle  of  Madeira,  alledging  I  was  so  imperfect 
in  that  Language  that  we  could  not  manage  a  sociable  discourse.  So  accordingly 
they  came,  and  at  the  first  interview  they  stood  so  appaled  as  if  the  Ghosts  of 
Luther  and  Calvin  had  suffered  a  transmigration,  but  the  amaze  soon  went  off 
witli  a  salve  tu  quoque,  and  a  Bottle  of  Wine,  of  which  the  Calvinist  Dominie 
was  a  true  Carouzer,  and  so  we  continued  our  Mensalia  the  whole  evening  in 
Latine,  which  they  both  spoke  so  fluently  and  promptly  that  I  blushed  at  my- 
self with  a  passionate  regret  that  I  could  not  keep  pace  with  them  ;  and  at  the 
same  time  could  not  forbear  reflecting  upon  our  English  Schools  and  Universi- 
ties (who  indeed  write  Latine  elegantly)  but  speak  it,  as  if  they  were  confined 
to  Mood  and  Figure,  Forms  and  Phrases,  whereas  it  should  be  their  common 
talk  in  their  Seats  and  Halls,  as  well  as  in  their  School  Disputations  and 
Themes.  This  with  all  deference  to  these  repositories  of  Learning.  As  to  the 
Dutch  Language,  in  which  I  was  but  a  smatterer,  I  think  it  lofty,  majestic  and 
emphatical,  especially  the  High-Dutch,  which  as  far  as  I  understand  it  is  very 
expressive  in  the  Scriptures,  and  so  underived  that  it  may  take  place  next  the 
Oriental  Languages,  and  the  Septuagint."  1 

The  Calvinist  minister  referred  to  was  Dominie  Nieuwenhuysen,  who 
died  in  1681,  and  the  Lutheran  was  Dominie  Bernhardus  Frazius.  They 
were  both  men  of  vast  scholastic  acquirements.    The  language  of  Home 


1  Wollcys  Journal,  55,  56. 


ECCLESIASTICAL  TROUBLES. 


285 


had  not  then  lost  its  "  imperial "  character,  and  to  speak  it  well  was  much 
more  common  than  in  later  times.  But  the  literary  accomplishments 
of  the  Englishmen  of  that  generation  seem  to  have  been  less  solid  and 
profound  than  at  either  an  earlier  or  a  later  period.  Dominie  Nieuwen- 
huysen  was  an  excellent  pastor,  notwithstanding  that,  outside  of  his  own 
flock,  he  sometimes  exhibited  more'  zeal  than  charity.  He  took  excep- 
tions to  the  clerical  conduct  of  Dominie  Van  Rensselaer,  whom  Andros 
sent  to  Albany  as  colleague  to  Dominie  Schaats,  and  openly  declared 
that  a  minister  ordained  in  England  by  a  bishop  was  not  qualified  to 
administer  the  sacrament  in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church.  He  even 
went  so  far  as  to  forbid  Dominie  Van  Eensselaer  to  baptize  children, 
which  occasioned  much  ill-feeling ;  but,  at  the  trial  of  the  latter  before 
the  governor,  Nieuwenhuysen  was  obliged  to  admit  the  validity  of 
English  Episcopal  ordination.  Fresh  ecclesiastical  troubles  broke  out 
the  next  year  (1676),  when  Jacob  Leisler,  one  of  Dominie  Van  Nieu- 
wenhuysen's  deacons,  accused  Dominie  Van  Rensselaer  of  "  false  preach- 
ing "  and  of  uttering  "  dubious  words."  Van  Rensselaer  was  arrested  and 
brought  to  New  York  for  trial ;  but  he  was  acquitted,  and  Deacon  Leisler 
and  Jacob  Milborne  were  ordered  to  pay  all  costs  for  "  giving  the  first 
occasion  of  difference."  1 

Between  Cedar  Street  and  Maiden  Lane  there  was  an  orchard,  owned 
by  John  Robinson.  On  one  occasion,  we  are  told,  Mr.  Wolley  put  off 
his  clerical  dignity  and  went  out  with  a  party  to  hunt  bears  in 
that  locality.  They  pursued  one  until  he  finally  betook  himself 
to  a  tree,  and  crouched  upon  a  high  bough.  A  boy  with  a  club  was 
sent  up,  who,  reaching  an  opposite  branch,  knocked  away  at  the  paws 
of  Bruin  until  he  came  growling  down,  and  fell,  with  a  tremendous 
thump,  to  the  ground. 

Mr.  Wolley  and  his  wife  were  frequent  guests  of  Lord  George  Russell 
(then  residing  in  New  York),  a  brother  of  the  celebrated  Lord  William 
Russell,  who  was  beheaded  in  1683.  He  speaks  also  in  his  Journal  of 
Frederick  Philipse,  and  his  great  wealth.  He  says  skating  was  very 
much  in  vogue ;  and  he  gives  some  pleasant  glimpses  into  the  exchange 
of  presents  on  New  Year's  day.  On  his  return  to  London,  he  took  with 
him,  a%  American  curiosities,  "a  Gray  Squirrel,  a  Parrot,  and  a  Rac*- 
coon."  He  sailed  in  a  ship  commanded  by  George  Heathcote,  a  Qua- 
ker ;  the  same  who  was  imprisoned  by  the  governor  of  Massachusetts, 
in  1672,  for  delivering  to  his  Excellency  a  letter  without  taking  off 
his  hat.2 

1  Council  Min.,  III.  54  -59.    Doc.  Hist.  N.Y.,  III.  526,  527.    Brodhead,  II.  288,  300. 
8  George  Heathcote  made  numerous  voyages  to  New  York.    At  his  death,  he  liberated 


286 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


In  1679,  Jasper  Dankers  and  Peter  Sluyter,  two  travelers,  appeared 
in  New  York,  who  had  been  sent  from  Europe  by  a  religious  sect,  called 
Labadists,  to  find  some  suitable  spot  for  a  colony.  The  founder  of  the 
sect  was  Jean  De  Labadie,  a  native  of  Bordeaux,  and  he  had  made  many 
converts  to  his  doctrines  among  persons  of  learning.  His  public  decla- 
ration that  he  was  inspired  and  specially  directed  by  Christ  filled  the 
clergy  with  dismay,  and  caused  him  and  his  followers  to  be  driven  to 
Westphalia  and  afterwards  to  Denmark.  De  Labadie  died  in  1674,  at 
Wieward  in  Friesland,  where  the  community  had  at  last  found  per- 
manent quarters.  Three  years  later,  some  of  his  disciples  removed  to 
Surinam,  but  did  not  remain  there  long. 

The  two  envoys  to  New  Amsterdam  were  passengers  on  the  Charles, 
one  of  Mrs.  Frederick  Philipse's  vessels.  Some  of  their  experiences  and 
observations  are  interesting  enough  to  be  recited.  They  landed  about  four 
o'clock  on  a  September  afternoon,  and  were  invited  to  supper  bv  a 

Sept.  23.  1  .  ir  j 

fellow-passenger,  at  the  house  of  his  father-in-law,  Jacob  Swart, 
The  table  was  loaded  with  delicious  peaches,  pears,  and  apples.  They 
were  invited  to  spend  the  night,  and  graciously  accepted  the  invitation. 
They  went  to  walk  in  the  fields,  and  saw  trees  laden  with  divers  kinds  of 
fruit  in  such  overflowing  abundance  as  they  had  never  seen  in  Europe  in 
the  best  seasons.  Upon  their  return  to  the  house  in  the  evening  they  were 
regaled  with  milk  and  peaches,  and  retired  to  rest  and  sleep,  and  dream 
of  peaches  on  the  morrow.  The  next  day  was  Sunday,  and,  after  partak- 
ing of  an  appetizing  breakfast  of  fish  and  fruit,  they  went  to  church,  "to 
avoid  scandal,"  —  as  they  said.  They  -were  not  pleased,  however,  with  the 
personal  appearance  of  the  minister,  or  with  his  manner  of  explaining  the 
Bible ;  and  as  for  his  congregation,  it  was  "  too  worldly."  In  the  after- 
noon they  were  escorted  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Swart  and  Mr.  Van  Duyne  to 
a  tavern,  where  a  daughter  of  the  old  people  lived ;  but  they  found  the 
place  "uncongenial,"  and  walked  in  the  orchard  "to  contemplate  the  inno- 
cent objects  of  nature."  They  found  a  mulberry-tree,  with  leaves  as  large 
as  a  plate.  Towards  evening  they  called  upon  one  of  Mr.  Swart's  neigh- 
bors. His  name  was  Jean  Vigne.  He  was  the  first  male  child  born  in 
New  York  of  European  parents.  The  date  of  his  birth,  according  to  these 
travelers,  must  have  been  1614,  the  very  earliest  period  of  white  settle- 
ment.1   His  mother  owned  a  farm  near  Wall  and  Pearl  Streets.    He  was, 

three  negro  slaves,  and  gave  to  Thomas  Carlton  live  hundred  acres  of  land  near  Shrewsbury, 
New  Jersey,  to  be  called  ' ' Carlton  Settlement."  He  also  constituted  his  nephew,  Caleb 
Heathcote,  residuary  legatee.     Will,  dated  Nov.,  1710,  Surrogate's  Office,  N.  Y. 

1  This  statement  does  not  in  any  manner  conflict  with  the  record  which  confirms  Sarah 
de  Kapalje  as  the  first  born  "Christian  daug/Uer"  in  New  Netherland.  Long  Island  Hist. 
Hoc.  Coll.,  I.  113.    Benson's  Memoir  in  N.  Y-  H,  S.  Coll.,  II.  (Second  Series)  94. 


THE  TRAVELERS  ON  LONG  ISLAND. 


287 


at  this  time,  in  possession  of  the  old  homestead,  and  kept  an  ancient 
wind-mill  constantly  at  work  upon  the  hill  back  of  his  house.  He  was 
a  brewer,  as  well  as  a 
of  the  city.  He  filled 
the  office  of  schepen  in 
1663,  in  1655,  and  in 
1656.  Of  his  three 
sisters,  Maria  married 
Abraham  Verplanck, 
Cristina  was  the  wife 
of  Dirck  Volckertsen, 
and  Kachel  the  second 
wife  of  Cornells  Van 
Tienhoven.  Jean  Vigne 
left  no  children ;  but 
the  descendants  of  his 
sisters  are  scattered  through  the  country. 

On  the  29th  the  explorers  made  a  journey  to  Long  Island.  They 
describe  their  route  from  the  ferry  as  "  up  a  hill,  along  open 

it  ii  Sept.  1£9« 

roads  and  woody  places,  and  through  a  village  called  Breuckelen, 
which  has  a  small  ugly  church  standing  in  the  middle  of  the  road " ! 
Peach-trees  were  everywhere  numerous,  and  laden  with  fruit ;  in  some 
instances  actually  breaking  down  with  their  treasures.  They  visited  the 
oldest  resident,  a  woman  who  had  lived  in  this  country  over  half  a 
century,  and  who  had  seventy  children  and  grandchildren.  They  spent 
one  night  at  the  house  of  Simon  De  Hart,  where  they  supped  on  raw 
and  roasted  oysters,  a  roasted  haunch  of  venison,  a  wild  turkey,  and  a 
goose,  and  sat  before  a  hickory  fire  blazing  half-way  up  the  chimney,  all 
the  chilly  autumn  evening.  The  house  is  still  standing,  having  been  in 
the  possession  of  the  descendants  of  Simon  De  Hart  ever  since. 

In  the  morning  they  went  out  through  the  woods  to  what  is  now 
Fort  Hamilton,  where  the  Najack  Indians  resided  upon  land  which 
Jacques  Cortelyou  had  long  since  bought  of  the  sachems,  and  at  pres- 
ent rented  to  them  for  twenty  bushels  of  corn  yearly.  They  rambled 
along  the  shore  to  Coney  Island,  and  from  one  Indian  village  to  another, 
eating  peaches  and  wild  grapes  by  the  way,  and  coming  every  now  and 
then  upon  "great  heaps  of  watermelons."  They  visited  New  Utrecht, 
and  were  kindly  entertained  by  Jacques  Cortelyou.  The  town  and 
everything  in  it  had  been  burned  a  short  time  before ;  but  some  good 
stone  houses  had  been  rebuilt,  and  among  them  this  of  Cortelyou's.  He 
had  two  sick  sons,  and,  with  his  wife,  was  so  occupied  in  attending  to 


farmer ;  and  he  was  one  of  the  great  burghers 


View  of  the  Water  Gate  (present  Wall  Street). 
(From  a  pencil-sketch  by  Dankers  and  Sluyter  ) 


288 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


them,  that  he  had  little  time  to  devote  to  his  visitors.  He  invited  them 
to  stay  as  long  as  it  was  convenient ;  but  the  only  place  to  sleep  he  could 
offer  them  was  in  the  barn.  So,  after  supper,  they  took  up  their  quarters 
for  the  night  upon  some  straw  spread  with  sheep-skins,  "  in  the  midst 
of  the  continual  grunting  of  hogs,  squealing  of  pigs,  bleating  and  cough- 
ing of  sheep,  barking  of  dogs,  crowing  of  cocks,  and  cackling  of  hens  " ; 
much  to  their  discomfort,  as  would  appear  from  their  journal,  although 
they  were  less  disposed  to  complain  when  they  discovered  that  they 
were  occupying  the  usual  bed  of  one  of  Cortelyou's  sons,  who  had  crept 
into  the  straw  behind  them.  They  said  Cortelyou  was  a  mathematician, 
a  sworn  land-surveyor,  and  a  doctor  of  medicine. 


Oct.  15. 


View  of  North  Dock. 
(From  a  pencil-sketch  by  Dankers  and  Sluyter.) 

After  an  extended  tour  over  Long  Island,  they  returned  (October  4)  to 
4  New  York,  and  remained  in  the  city  about  a  month.  On  Sunday, 
October  15th,  they  attended  the  Episcopal  service  in  the  Dutch 
church  in  the  fort,  conducted  by  Mr.  Wolley.  There  were  not  above 
twenty-five  or  thirty  people  present.  They  said,  "after  the 
prayers  and  ceremonies,  a  young  man  went  into  the  pulpit,  who 
thought  he  was  performing  wonders :  he  had  a  little  book  in  his  hand, 
out  of  which  he  read  his  sermon,  which  was  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour 
long.  With  this  the  services  were  concluded,  at  which  we  could  not  be 
sufficiently  astonished." 

They  evidently  worked  with  great  zeal  to  make  converts  to  their  own 
faith,  and  scattered  their  admonitions  loftily  among  the  sinners  of  the 
country.     The  peculiarity  of  their  movements  attracted  the  attention 
of  the  better  class  of  the  inhabitants,  of  whom  they  had  seen  but  little ; 
i68o.  and  when,  in  January,  they  returned  from  Westchester  and  adja- 
Jan.3.  cent  towns,  they  were  summoned  before  the  mayor  to  give  an 
account  of  themselves,  and  to  explain  the  object  of  their  travels.  This 
done,  they  were  dismissed  with  the  caution  not  to  attempt  to  go  to 
Feb  20  Albany  without  a  passport  from  the  governor.    After  obtaining 
this  document,  they  sailed,  on  the  20th  of  February,  up  the  Hud- 


THE  FIRST  CLASSIS  IN  AMERICA. 


289 


son.  They  also  traveled  through  New  Jersey  and  the  Delaware  Bay 
region.  And  they  persuaded  many  persons  (among  whom  were  Ephraim 
Heermans  and  Peter  Bayard)  to  leave  their  wives  and  join  the  Labadists. 
In  June  they  sailed  for  Europe.  Their  journal  was  published,  in  1867, 
by  the  Long  Island  Historical  Society,  under  the  supervision  of  Hon. 
Henry  C.  Murphy,  who  procured  the  original  manuscript  in  Holland. 
It  is  deeply  to  be  regretted  that  the  portion  relating  chiefly  to  the  me- 
tropolis has  been  hopelessly  lost. 


View  of  New  York  from  the  North. 
(From  a  pencil-sketch  by  Dankers  and  Sluyter.) 


The  first  classis  ever  held  in  America  consisted  of  Dominies  Nieuwen- 
huysen  and  Schaats,  Dominie  Van  Zuuren  of  Long  Island,  and  Dominie 
Van  Gaasbeeck  of  Esopus.  It  was  formed  in  1679,  at  the  suggestion  of 
the  Episcopal  governor,  and  for  the  purpose  of  examining  and  ordaining 
a  young  licensed  Bachelor  in  Divinity,  Peter  Tesschenmaeker,  who  3 
had  been  called  to  the  church  at  Newcastle.  This  novel  proceed- 
ing was  approved  by  the  supreme  ecclesiastical  judicature  at  Amsterdam. 

The  church  edifice  in  the  fort  having  become  too  small  to  accommodate 
the  congregation,  a  meeting  was  called  at  the  suggestion  of  Andros,  in 
June,  1680,  to  consider  the  best  measures  for  building  a  new  one. 
Several  members  of  the  Council  and  other  leading  citizens  were  present, 
together  with  the  Dutch  and  English  clergymen.  It  was  voted  to  raise 
money  by  "  free-will  or  gift,"  and  not  by  public  tax ;  and  it  was  cordially 
agreed  that  the  new  church  should  be  a  quarter  larger  than  the  old  one. 
The  mayor  and  aldermen  appropriated  certain  fines  towards  the  fund.1 

1  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  III.  244,  265.  Gen.  Enl.,  XXXII.  65.  Col.  Doc,  III.  315,  415, 
717.  Letter  of  Dominie  Selyns  to  Classis,  October  28,  1682.  Brodhcad,  II.  331.  Records  of 
Collegiate  Dutch  Church,  Liber  A,  161,  162. 

19 


290 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Meanwhile,  the  English  claim  of  sovereignty  over  the  Iroquois,  which 
had  been  asserted  by  Andros,  roused  the  French  king,  Louis.  In  the 
unsettled  condition  of  European  politics,  he  could  not  take  a  decided 
stand  with  respect  to  his  interests  in  America ;  hence  he  resorted  to 
intrigue.  The  Jesuit  missionaries  were  the  instruments  of  his  purpose. 
They  made  presents  to  the  Indians  and  sought  to  incline  them  towards 
the  French ;  while,  to  prevent  this,  Andros  was  compelled  to  increase 
his  watchfulness.  About  this  time,  one  of  the  French  ministers  argued 
long  and  earnestly  with  his  sovereign  that  a  war  with  New  York  and 
New  England  must  redound  to  the  advantage  of  Canada. 

The  governor  of  Maryland  wrote  to  Andros  that  "  strange  Indians  " 
were  doing  mischief  along  the  Susquehanna;  the  governor  of  Virginia 
complained  of  "  unknown  Indians  "  committing  thefts  and  murders  with- 
in his  jurisdiction ;  and,  in  the  depth  of  winter,  the  New  York  governor 
sent  two  Indian  interpreters  through  the  snows  and  storms  to  summon 
the  Iroquois  to  a  conference  in  Albany.  The  difficulty  was  settled  for 
the  time ;  but,  the  next  season,  it  broke  out  afresh  in  a  still  more  com- 
plicated form,  and  again  Governor  Andros  was  compelled  to  meet  the 
Iroquois  warriors,  and  discuss  with  them  the  question  of  mutual  relations 
and  the  duties  of  the  future. 

New  Jersey  for  a  while  carried  on  a  direct  trade  with  England.  But 
Andros  saw  fit  to  put  into  rigid  execution  the  Duke's  order,  that  all 
vessels  trading  within  his  original  territory  should  enter  at  the  New 
York  custom-house.  Thereupon  the  Assembly  of  East  Jersey  passed 
an  act  to  indemnify  any  ship  which  might  be  seized  by  the  government 
of  New  York  for  entering  and  clearing  at  Elizabethtown.  An  interesting 
quarrel  was  at  once  inaugurated. 

Andros  and  Carteret  were  kinsmen,  and  socially  intimate.  Carteret 
was  in  the  habit  of  attending  Sabbath  service  in  the  fort,  and  of  dining 
often  at  Sir  Edmund's  table.  The  wives  of  the  two  gentlemen  were  as 
devoted  to  each  other  as  sisters.  All  at  once  a  chill  fell  upon  this 
friendly  intercourse.  Andros  seized  every  Jersey-bound  vessel  and  ex- 
acted duties  before  allowing  it  to  proceed  from  Sandy  Hook  to  Elizabeth- 
town.  Carteret  claimed  to  be  the  supreme  governor  of  his  province, 
and  complained  to  Sir  George.  Andros  sent  Collector  Dyer  to  England, 
to  justify  his  past  course  and  to  ask  instruction  for  the  future. 

The  political  storms  in  his  immediate  horizon  prevented  James  from 
giving  proper  attention  to  his  American  possessions.  He  was,  at  this 
moment,  absent  from  England.  His  secretary  admonished  Andros  to 
continue  the  maintenance  of  the  Duke's  prerogative  throughout  his 
territory.    As  soon  as  Dyer  returned  with  the  order,  Andros  notified 


ARREST  AND  TRIAL  OF  GOVERNOR  CARTERET.  291 


Carteret  that  he  should  erect  a  fort  at  Sandy  Hook ;  and  Carteret 
replied,  that  he  should  resist  such  a  proceeding  to  the  last.  Andros  sent 
Secretary  Nicolls  into  New  Jersey  with  a  proclamation,  forbidding  Car- 
teret to  exercise  any  further  authority  within  the  Duke's  province,  and 
demanding  the  surrender  of  his  person.  Carteret  appealed  to  the  king. 
But  the  people  of  New  Jersey  sustained  Carteret,  to  whom  they  were 
much  attached,  and  Andros  was  deterred  by  their  loyalty  from  resorting 
to  extreme  measures. 

The  latter  went  over  to  New  Jersey,  and  the  rumor  of  his  coming 
induced  Carteret  to  collect  a  large  force  for  defense.  But  Andros 
making  his  appearance  unattended  by  soldiers,  he  was  invited  to  Car- 
teret's house,  where  the  contending  parties  dined  together  and  held  a 
long  conference  over  their  difficulties.  Each  produced  papers  and  patents 
in  support  of  the  righteousness  of  his  course,  and  both  were  undoubtedly 
actuated  by  the  honest  motive  of  obedience  to  superiors.  Yet  they 
arrived  at  no  amicable  understanding. 

Three  weeks  later,  Andros  caused  the  arrest  of  Carteret.  The  un- 
guarded country-house  of  the  latter  was  entered,  in  the  night,  by 
a  band  of  armed  men,  who  dragged  him  naked  from  his  bed,  and  Apn17' 
carried  him  in  this  condition  to  New  York,  where,  after  being  furnished 
with  clothes,  he  was  thrown  into  prison.  The  charge  against  him  was 
that  of  "  unlawfully  assuming  jurisdiction  over  the  king's  subjects." 
He  was  tried  before  a  special  Court  of  Assizes,  over  which  Andros 
presided  in  great  state.  The  prisoner  was  allowed  to  plead  his  own 
cause ;  and  he  did  so  with  lawyer-like  skill  and  learning.  In  the  first 
place,  he  denied  the  power  of  such  a  court  to  settle  a  question  which 
involved  the  right  of  a  king,  and,  indeed,  refused  to  acknowledge  its  juris- 
diction. He  was  quite  willing,  he  said,  to  have  his  actions  thoroughly 
investigated  ;  and,  expressing  his  astonishment  that  Andros  should  pretend 
to  have  never  recognized  him  as  governor  of  New  Jersey,  he  produced 
several  letters  addressed  by  Sir  Edmund  to  himself  under  that  title. 

Andros  responded  quickly,  that  the  letters  had  been  so  addressed 
because  Carteret  had  generally  been  styled  governor,  not  because  he 
was  so  in  fact.  "  But,"  said  Carteret,  "  the  king  has  made  me  governor, 
and  you,  as  well  as  all  the  world,  have  acknowledged  me  as  such."  The 
royal  commissions  to  the  two  men  were  produced,  and  it  was  found  that 
the  one  to  Carteret  was  older  than  the  one  to  Andros.  "  Mine,  therefore, 
shoidd  be  preferred,"  said  Carteret.  "  By  no  means,"  exclaimed  Andros, 
"  mine  being  the  younger,  yours  is  annulled  by  it."  "  That  remains  to 
be  shown,"  rejoined  Carteret;  and  he  produced  letters  from  Charles 
himself,  directed  to  the  governor  of  New  Jersey.    The  honest  verdict 


292 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


of  a  New  York  jury  set  Carteret  free ;  but  he  was  obliged  to  give 
security,  that,  if  he  was  allowed  to  return  home,  he  woidd  assume  no 
authority,  civil  or  military,  until  his  case  was  decided  in  England. 
Governor  and  Lady  Andros,  accompanied  by  a  number  of  personal 
friends,  escorted  Carteret  to  Elizabethtown,  with  distinguished  ceremony ; 
and  Andros  proceeded  to  commission  civil  and  military  officers  in  the 
principal  towns  of  East  Jersey. 

West  Jersey  was  under  the  control  of  Quakers,  who  complained  most 
bitterly  of  Andros  and  his  high-handed  proceedings.  The  root  of  the 
trouble  was  at  Whitehall.  When  Lord  Berkeley  parted  with  his  undi- 
vided interest  in  New  Jersey,  he  could  give  only  a  doubtful  title.  When 
William  Penn  and  his  associates  sent  an  agent  to  take  possession,  Andros, 
without  in  any  way  exceeding  his  instructions,  directed  that,  as  no  proper 
authority  had  been  produced,  the  parties  concerned  were  not  to  be  treated 
as  proprietors  of  lands,  and  all  duties  were  to  be  collected  from  them  as 
from  other  English  subjects.  Fenwick,  the  agent,  was  arrested  for  diso- 
beying orders,  and  tried  before  a  special  Court  of  Assizes.  The  affair 
created  a  stir  in  London ;  and  James  persuaded  Sir  George  Carteret  to 
consent  to  a  quinquepartite  deed,  in  partition  with  Penn  and  his  partners, 
by  which  they  agreed  upon  a  dividing  line  from  Little  Egg  Harbor  to  the 
most  northerly  branch  of  the  Delaware  Eiver.  The  two  provinces  were 
to  be  called  henceforward  East  and  West  New  Jersey.  This  famous 
instrument  was  the  most  remarkable  for  extraordinary  faults  of  all  the 
extraordinary  and  faulty  parchment  deeds  in  the  early  American  annals.1 
The  Duke's  secretary  wrote  to  Andros,  that  his  master  had  no  intention 
of  parting  with  any  of  his  prerogative  by  this  arrangement,  but  wished 
to  make  a  show  of  favor  to  the  imperious  Sir  George. 

The  co-proprietors  of  West  New  Jersey  at  once  appointed  commis- 
sioners to  look  after  their  government  matters,  and  Fenwick  in  particular. 
These  commissioners  embarked  on  board  the  ship  Kent.  As  the  vessel 
was  lying  in  the  Thames,  King  Charles  came  alongside  in  his  pleasure- 
barge,  and,  seeing  a  large  number  of  passengers,  and  learning  where  they 
were  bound,  asked  if  they  were  all  Quakers,  and  gave  them  his  blessing. 
When  they  arrived  at  Sandy  Hook,  the  commissioners  left  the  vessel,  and 
went  up  to  the  city  in  a  barge  to  pay  a  visit  to  Andros,  who  received 
them  graciously  and  inquired  if  they  had  brought  any  orders  from  the 
Duke,  his  master.  They  replied  that  they  had  not,  but  quoted  the  transfer 
of  the  soil,  with  which  the  government  of  West  Jersey  was  also  conveyed. 

"That  will  not  clear  me,"  replied  Andros,  with  emphasis,  "if  I 

1  Dixon's  Penn.,  138.  Whiteliead,  67,  68.  Gordon,  38.  Learning  and  Spicer,  61-72. 
Proud,  I.  142.    Brodhead,  II.  304. 


IMPERIOUSNESS  OF  AND  EOS. 


293 


should  surrender  without  the  Duke's  order,  it  is  as  much  as  my  head  is 
worth.  But  if  you  had  but  a  line  or  two  from  the  Duke,  I  should  be 
as  ready  to  surrender  it  to  you,  as  you  would  be  to  ask  it." 

The  commissioners  strenuously  asserted  their  independence,  and  con- 
tinued to  argue  their  case,  until  Andros,  losing  all  patience,  sprang  to  his 
feet,  with  head  erect  and  flashing  eyes,  and,  clapping  his  hand  upon  his 
sword,  exclaimed,  "  I  shall  defend  my  government  against  you  until  such 
time  as  I  am  ordered  by  the  Duke  to  surrender  it." 

He  softened,  however,  almost  instantly,  and  assured  the  commissioners 
that  he  would  do  all  in  his  power  to  make  them  easy  until  they  could 
send  to  England  for  instructions ;  and  in  the  mean  time  he  would  com- 
mission them  to  act  as  magistrates  under  him,  in  order  that  they  might 
proceed  to  the  transaction  of  business.  Fenwick  was  released  from  con- 
finement and  allowed  to  proceed  with  them  to  the  Delaware,  on  condition 
that  he  should  report  himself  in  New  York  in  the  following  October. 

The  news  produced  a  sensation  at  Whitehall.  James,  already  threat- 
ened with  exclusion  from  the  throne  on  account  of  his  Komish  faith,  was 
moody  and  obstinate.  He  said  that  West  New  Jersey  had  no  right  to 
set  up  a  distinct  government.  It  was  amenable  to  the  laws  established 
in  New  York.  The  English  Secretary  of  State  was  consulted,  and  many 
of  the  most  astute  lawyers  in  the  kingdom.  William  Penn  elaborately 
argued  his  own  case,  and  that  of  his  Quaker  associates.  He  insisted  that, 
in  Lord  Berkeley's  conveyance,  powers  of  government  were  distinctly 
granted.  Then,  aware  of  the  impossibility  of  proving  the  assertion,  he 
hastened  to  allude  to  the  Duke's  present  distressing  circumstances  and 
the  jealousies  of  the  people,  and  to  suggest  that  kindness  and  justice  now 
shown  to  Englishmen  in  America  would,  seem  to  forecast  the  character 
of  his  Royal  Highness's  administration,  in  the  event  of  his  accession  to 
the  throne,  and  could  not  fail  to  enhance  his  popularity.  Penn's  peculiar 
fascination  of  manner,  together  with  his  feint  of  passive  obedience,  bound 
him  closely  both  to  the  gracious  Charles  and  the  arbitrary  James.  He 
was  much  more  skillful  in  reading  their  characters  and  practicing  upon 
their  weaknesses  than  they  were  in  penetrating  his  specious  purposes. 
Besides,  he  had  a  special  hold  on  both.  His  father,  Sir  William  Penn, 
had  been  Admiral  of  England  ;  and,  at  his  death,  the  crown  was  in  debt 
to  his  estate  some  sixteen  thousand  pounds.  His  subtle  sophistry  might 
have  turned  the  scale,  had  truth  been  on  his  side.  But,  before  the  ques- 
tion was  settled,  the  furious  hate  of  the  populace  drove  James  again  into 
Scotland,  and,  in  his  strait,  he  referred  the  whole  matter  to  Sir  William 
Jones,  "  the  greatest  lawyer  in  England,"  but  a  determined  opponent  of 
the  "  Tories,"  as  the  king  and  his  friends  were  styled. 


294 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Jones  was  a  wary  Parliamentarian  advocate.  Believing  that  an  Eng- 
lish Parliament  had  the  right,  though  the  sovereign  had  not,  to  tax  an 
unrepresented  colony,  he  gave  his  opinion  with  great  caution.  He  said, 
"  I  am  not  satisfied  by  anything  I  have  yet  heard  that  the  Duke  can 
legally  demand  duties  from  the  people  of  those  lands  ;  and,  to  make  the 
case  stronger  against  his  Eoyal  Highness,  these  inhabitants  claim  that,  in 
the  original  grant  to  Lord  Berkeley  and  Sir  George  Carteret,  there  is  no 
reservation  of  any  profit,  or  so  much  as  jurisdiction." 1 

It  was  an  ingenious  report  for  a  referee  wishing  to  evade  a  decision  or 
to  becloud  the  truth.    Several  of  the  material  facts  in  the  case 
were  wholly  ignored.    For  instance,  Jones  cited  only  the  Duke's 
first  grant,  in  1664,  and  left  out  of  the  discussion  both  the  Dutch  con- 
quest of  1673  (which  annihilated  that  grant)  and  the  king's  second  patent 
to  his  brother,  in  1674.    But  James  had  neither  time  nor  inclination  to 
contest  the  matter,  and,  without  waiting  for  his  own  counsel  to  approve, 
he  executed  a  deed  the  more  firmly  to  convey  West  New  Jersey 
ug' 6'  to  its  purchasers,  granting  them  all  the  powers  which  were  ever 
intended  to  be  granted  to  himself  by  the  king. 

Scarcely  was  this  accomplished,  when  Lady  Carteret,  the  widow  of  Sir 
George  (who  had  recently  died),  having  received  letters  from  Gov- 
sept.  io.  ernor  Philip  carteret,  giving  a  detailed  account  of  the  treatment 
he  had  suffered  from  Andros,  complained  to  the  worried  Duke  ;  and  he, 
having  just  released  all  claim  to  the  government  of  West  New  Jersey, 
and  believing  that  he  could  do  no  less  by  East  New  Jersey,  ordered  a 
deed  to  that  effect  to  be  prepared. 

All  at  once,  and  from  every  side,  complaints  began  to  pour  in  upon  the 
Duke  concerning  Andros.    It  was  insinuated  that  he  favored  Dutchmen 
in  trade,  made  laws  hurtful  to  the  English,  detained  ships  unduly  for 
private  reasons,  and  admitted  Dutch  vessels  to  a  direct  trade,  or  traded 
himself  in  the  names  of  others.    Moreover,  James  was  receiving  constant 
offers  to  farm  his  revenue  in  New  York,  which  differed  "so  vastly"  from 
the  accounts  rendered  by  Andros,  that  lie  commissioned  John  Lewin  as 
an  agent  to  inspect  all  accounts  and  learn  the  true  condition  of  affairs  in 
his  province.   At  the  same  time,  he  ordered  Andros  to  report  immediately 
i68i.  in  person.    The  latter,  though  surprised,  was  too  good  a  soldier 
Jan.  6.  not  to  obey  the  summons  to  the  very  letter.    He  committed  the 
government  to  Lieutenant-Governor  Brockholls,  and  sailed  January  6, 
1681,  leaving  Lady  Andros  (as  he  fully  expected  to  return)  in  New  York. 
While  he  was  on  his  voyage  to  England,  a  royal  parchment  founded 

1  Clarke's  James  II.,  I.  588-600.  Col.  Doc.,  111.  284,  285.  Chalvur's  Annals,  I,  240- 
626.    Forces  Tracts,  IV.  No.  IX.    Brodhcad,  II.  340-342. 


RECALL  OF  ANLROS. 


295 


the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  The  subtle  William  Penn  had  petitioned  the 
king  for  a  region  of  wild  land  in  North  America,  with  a  vague  and  unde- 
fined boundary,  in  payment  of  the  debt  due  to  his  father's  estate ;  and, 
with  shrewd  geographical  judgment,  he  had  drafted  his  own  patent. 
Lord  Sunderland,  Lord  Baltimore,  and  other  gentlemen,  to  whom  the 
matter  was  referred,  attempted  to  oppose  this  monstrous  demand  ;  but 
Penn,  having  won  over  to  his  interests  both  the  king  and  the  Duke,  soon 
accomplished  his  end.  The  charter  of  Pennsylvania,  as  it  passed  the 
Great  Seal,  granted  to  William  Penn  all  the  powers  of  a  feudal  chief,  — 
the  making  of  laws  and  the  execution  of  the  same,  the  appointment  of 
officers,  etc.  But  all  laws  were  to  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  free- 
men of  his  province,  and  to  the  pleasure  of  the  king ;  and  no  taxes 
were  to  be  levied  nor  revenues  raised,  except  by  a  Provincial  Assembly. 
The  supreme  power  of  the  Parliament  of  England  w  as  acknowledged  in 
the  matter  of  regulating  commercial  duties. 

After  the  departure  of  Governor  Andros,  New  York  was  in  great  con- 


fusion.   He  had  by  accident, 
in  the  multiplicity  of  duties, 
omitted  to  renew  by  a  special  BHsSi 
order  the  Duke's   customs  view  of  East  River  Shore  above  Water  Gate- 

t   ,.  1-111  -i  (From  a  pencil-sketch  by  Dankers  and  Shiyter.) 

duties,  which  had  expired 

the  November  before  by  their  three  years'  limitation,  which  was  un- 
fortunate indeed.  This  oversight  having  been  discovered  by  the  traders, 
they  refused  to  pay  duties  upon  what  they  imported  into  the  prov- 
ince. Neither  did  they  abate  to  consumers  a  farthing  from  the  prices 
of  the  goods  they  were  selling.  Brockholls  and  his  council  decided  that 
there  was  no  power  to  continue  expired  taxes  without  orders  from  his 
Royal  Highness.  The  question  produced  almost  a  colonial  revolution. 
New  Jersey  was  prospering  under  free-trade,  at  the  expense  of  New  York. 
Collector  Dyer,  at  this  time  mayor  of  the  city,  was  sued  for  detaining 
goods  for  customs,  and  forced  to  deliver  them  without  payment.    On  the 


296 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


back  of  this  he  was  accused  of  high  treason  for  having  levied  the  duties, 
committed  to  prison,  and  arraigned  before  a  court  specially  summoned  for 
his  trial.  His  indictment  was  for  "  traitorously  exercising  regal  power  and 
authority  over  the  king's  subjects."  A  jury  was  sworn,  and  twenty  wit- 
nesses were  examined  for  the  prosecution.  Dyer  pleaded  "  not  guilty,"  and 
challenged  the  authority  of  the  court.  He  refused  to  surrender  the  seal 
of  the  city  and  his  commission  as  mayor,  because  he  had  received  them 
from  their  common  superior,  Andros.  The  court  finally  decided  to  send 
him  to  England,  to  be  dealt  with  as  the  king  should  direct ;  and  his 
accuser,  Samuel  Winder,  was  required  to  give  five  thousand  pounds  secu- 
rity to  prosecute  him  in  England.  John  West,  the  clerk  of  the  court, 
excused  its  irregular  action,  because  of  "  the  novelty  of  the  charge  of 
high  treason,  and  the  present  discord  in  the  government  here." 

It  was  soon  noised  about,  that,  in  the  new  province  of  Pennsylvania, 
established  by  the  king,  no  laws  could  be  passed  or  revenue 
levied  without  the  assent  of  a  majority  of  colonial  freemen 
represented  in  a  local  assembly.  The  old  Dutch  principle  of  "taxation 
only  by  consent "  was  quickly  revived  in  New  York.  The  jury  which 
indicted  Dyer  declared  to  the  Court  of  Assizes  that  the  want  of  a  Pro- 
vincial Assembly  was  a  grievance.  The  clamor  became  so  loud  and 
determined,  that  John  Younge,  the  high  sheriff  of  Long  Island,  was 
appointed  to  draft  a  petition  to  the  Duke,  and  his  work  was  adopted 
by  the  court.  It  represented  that  the  inhabitants  of  New  York  had, 
for  many  years,  groaned  under  inexpressible  burdens  by  having  an  arbi- 
trary power  used  and  exercised  over  them,  whereby  a  revenue  had  been 
exacted  against  their  wills,  their  trade  burdened,  and  their  liberty  en- 
thralled, contrary  to  the  privileges  of  a  royal  subject;  so  that  they  had 
become  a  "reproach"  to  their  neighbors,  who  were  flourishing  "under 
the  fruition  and  protection  of  the  king's  unparalleled  form  and  method 
of  government  in  his  realm  of  England."  The  Duke  was  therefore 
besought  to  rule  his  province  henceforth  through  a  governor,  council, 
and  assembly,  —  the  latter  to  be  duly  elected  by  the  freeholders  of  the 
colony,  as  in  the  other  plantations  of  the  king. 

Brockholls  wrote  to  Andros  by  the  same  vessel  which  conveyed  Dyer, 
as  a  prisoner,  and  this  petition  to  the  Duke,  that  the  customs 
July  21'  Were  wholly  destroyed  and  the  province  in  the  most  terrible 
disorder.  Meanwhile,  Andros,  on  reaching  Loudon,  had  sent  back  an 
order  to  Brockholls  to  act  as  receiver-general  of  all  the  Duke's  revenues ; 
but  his  afterthought  came  too  late.  The  mischief  had  been  done.  Brock- 
holls, from  lack  of  energy  or  some  other  cause,  conveniently  shirked 
the  duty  of  meddling  with  the  insolent  tax-payers.    Trade  was  sub- 


ALMOST  A  COLONIAL  REVOLUTION. 


297 


stantially  free.  Disorderly  gatherings  were  held  in  various  places,  par- 
ticularly on  Long  Island,  and  peace  and  quiet  were  seriously  dis- 
turbed. Brockholls  suspended  Derval  from  the  council  for  impertinence ; 
and,  in  the  absence  of  Secretary  Nicolls  and  Collector  Dyer,  his  only 
advisers  were  Frederick  Philipse  and  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt.  Much 
of  this  spirit  of  insubordination  arose  from  the  Duke's  own  act,  in  recall- 
ing Andros,  and  sending  over  Lewin,  as  a  sort  of  private  detective.  The 
latter,  stupid  and  incompeteut,  was  often  insulted  to  his  face,  and  his 
proceedings  were  branded  as  unlawful.  When  he  returned  to 
London,  in  December,  he  was  examined  by  Churchill  and  Jeffreys. 
Secretary  Nicolls  and  Collector  Dyer  were  also  questioned.  The  result 
was  that  Andros  was  exonerated  from  all  blame  whatsoever.  He  was 
even  complimented  upon  the  marvelous  success  of  his  administration 
and  made  a  Gentleman  of  the  king's  Privy  Chamber.  As  this  honor 
required  him  to  live  near  London,  he  sent  to  New  York  for  Lady  Andros 
to  join  him  in  their  ancieut  home. 

,  However  much  in  after  years  Sir  Edmund  may  have  merited  the 
appellation  of  "the  tyrant  of  New  England,"  he  seems  to  have  gov- 
erned New  York  with  wisdom  and  moderation.  Tbe  position  had  its 
peculiar  temptations ;  and  besides,  he  was  the  executive  servant  of  one 
of  the  most  obstinate  of  men,  —  one  who  had  no  proper  estimate  of 
character  and  who  was  blind  to  universal  principles.  If,  in  trying 
to  rule  a  mixed  community  of  different  nationalities,  proclivities,  and 
opinions,  a  faulty,  imperious  temper  occasionally  obtained  ascendency 
over  sober  judgment,  we  can  grant  some  measure  of  indulgence,  in 
view  of  all  the  circumstances  of  the  case.  Andros  was  unquestion- 
ably diligent  and  sagacious  ;  and  he  did  much  towards  bringing  New 
York  into  a  healthy  political  and  financial  condition.  Certain  it  is,  that, 
when  he  laid  down  the  staff  of  office,  anarchy  followed  almost  imme- 
diately. 

Collector  Dyer,  after  waiting  in  vain  in  London  for  his  prosecutor  to 
appear,  petitioned  the  king  to  be  honorably  acquitted ;  and  the  petition 
was  granted.    In  recompense  for  his  losses,  he  was  afterwards 
appointed  surveyor-general  of  the  customs  in  America. 

Long  Island  seems  to  have  been  a  constant  source  of  care  and  trouble 
to  New  York.  In  February,  two  prominent  justices  of  the  peace, 
Richard  Cromwell  and  Thomas  Hicks,  were  arrested  for  disaffec- 
tion to  the  government,  and  bound  over  for  trial  at  the  next  Court  of 
Assizes.  The  minister  of  Huntington  was  "  dealt  with "  for  denying 
baptism  to  the  children  of  those  whom  he  charged  with  "loose  lives." 
At  Staten  Island,  and  at  Albany,  there  was  trouble  about  their  clergy- 


298  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  XEW  YORK. 


men.  In  the  city  of  New  York,  the  patriarch  Dominie  Van  Nieuwen- 
huysen  had  gone  to  his  rest ;  and  the  consistory  of  the  Dutch  church 
called,  as  his  successor,  Dominie  Henricus  Selyns,  who  returned  to 
America,  and  entered  upon  a  new  and  laborious  service.  There  were  a 
multitude  of  petty  disturbances.  Connecticut  revived  the  boundary 
question.    Frederick  Philipse,  having  bought  a  tract  of  land, 

MayU'  embracing  Sleepy  Hollow,  and  prepared  to  build  a  mill  upon 
it,  was  informed  that  the  Connecticut  line  ran  to  the  south  and  west 
of  his  property.  Thereupon  a  lively  dispute  arose  between  the  gov- 
ernors of  the  two  provinces.  Brockholls  knew  that  Connecticut  was 
never  to  approach  within  twenty  miles  of  the  Hudson  River;  and  pro- 
nounced the  affair  an  attempt  at  swindling.  Of  course,  the  question 
was,  in  the  end,  referred  to  the  Duke  and  the  king. 

Meanwhile,  William  Penn,  with  the  aid  of  Algernon  Sidney,  drew 
up  and  published  for  Pennsylvania  a  form  of  government  and  laws,  the 
large  benevolence  of  which  presented  a  model  worthy  to  be  carefully 
studied  by  the  Duke.  Charles  dissolved  Parliament,  being  firmly  resolved 
to  govern  thenceforth  without  one,  and  to  stand  up  boldly  against  those 
who  plotted  to  exclude  James  from  the  throne.  The  latter  ventured  to 
return  again  from  Scotland ;  and  the  royal  brothers  had  many  conver- 
sations about  New  York.  It  was  clear,  that,  in  order  to  collect  a  revenue 
in  that  province,  an  Assembly  must  be  granted.  It  was  simply  a  ques- 
tion of  finance.  The  property  was  now  a  mere  drain  upon  the  Duke's 
purse.  He  talked  seriously  of  offering  it  for  sale.  " No,"  said  William 
Penn,  with  his  Quaker  hand  laid  lovingly  on  the  shoulder  of  his  Catholic 
friend,  "keep  the  province,  and  give  it  the  franchise." 

When  James  had  once  made  up  his  mind  to  act  upon  this  closet  ad- 
vice, he  was  not  slow  in  putting  his  plans  in  execution.   He  fixed 

sept.  30.  Up0n  Thomas  Dongau  as  his  future  governor.  This  gentleman 
was  a  Roman  Catholic ;  but  his  experience  in  France  (where  he  had 
commanded  an  Irish  regiment  under  Louis,  during  the  French  and  Dutch 
war),  and  his  general  knowledge  of  the  French  character,  were  powerful 
recommendations  at  the  present  moment,  when  the  delicate  relations  be- 
tween New  York  and  Canada  required  the  most  consummate  diplomacy 
on  the  part  of  the  English.  He  was  the  younger  son  of  Sir  John  Don- 
gan,  an  Irish  baronet,  and  nephew  to  Richard  Talbot,  Earl  of  Tyrconnel. 
He  was  trained  to  the  profession  of  arms,  and  had  distinguished  himself 
on  many  occasions.  He  had  recently  been  lieutenaut-goveruor  of  Tan- 
gier, in  Africa. 

His  appointment  was  confirmed  a  few  days  after  the  first  mention  of 
his  name  in  this  connection,  and  a  commission  was  executed  similar  to 


"The  property  was  now  a  mere  drain  upon  the  Duke's  purse.  He  talked  seriously  of 
offering  it  for  sale.  '  No, '  said  William  Qenn,  with  his  Quaker  hand  laid  lovingly  on  tha 
shoulder  of  his  Catholic  friend;  '  Keep  New  York,  and  give  it  the  franchise  '"   'Page  888. 


THE  TRIUMPHAL  MARCH. 


299 


that  given  to  Andros ;  only,  New  Jersey  was  excepted  from  his  juris- 
diction. The  eastern  boundary  of  New  York  was  still  declared  to  be  the 
western  bank  of  the  Connecticut  River.  His  special  instructions  con- 
tained an  order  to  call  a  General  Assembly. 

His  departure  for  New  York  was  delayed  for  some  time.  Another 
New  Jersey  episode  required  the  attention  of  James  and  his  min- 
isters. The  grantees  under  the  will  of  Sir  George  Carteret  had  1683' 
conveyed  East  New  Jersey  to  William  Penn,  Thomas  Eudyard,  and  ten 
other  Quakers ;  and  these  twelve  proprietors  had  each  sold  half  his  inter- 
est to  a  new  associate,  thus  introducing,  among  others,  the  Earl  of  Perth, 
the  Earl  of  Melford,  and  Eobert  Barclay,  the  famous  author  of  the 
"  Apology."  Barclay  was  appointed  governor,  with  leave  to  execute  his 
office  by  deputy ;  and  he  sent,  as  his  representative,  Thomas  Eudyard,  to 
whom  Philip  Carteret  resigned  his  authority.1  The  twenty-four  proprie- 
tors, wishing  to  make  their  title  more  secure,  asked  of  the  Duke  a  special 
grant,  which  was  finally  executed,  with  an  order  from  the  king  command- 
ing all  persons  concerned  in  the  said  province  of  East  New  Jersey  to 
yield  obedience  to  its  lawful  owners. 

Dongan  then  sailed,  and,  arriving  at  Nantasket  in  August,  completed 
his  journey  by  land.    A  number  of  gentlemen  crossed  the  sea 
with  him,  and  .others  hurried  from  New  York  to  greet  him  and  Aug' 10 
escort  him  through  the  country.    Thus,  the  traveling  party  was  quite  an 
imposing  one.    They  crossed  from  Connecticut  to  Long  Island  and 
stopped  in  the  most  important  towns  by  the  way.    Everywhere,  Aug' 25- 
the  people  were  assured  that  henceforward  their  rights  as  British  subjects 
should  be  respected,  and  no  taxes  should  be  imposed  but  by  a  Legislature 
of  their  own  choosing.    The  current  of  popular  feeling  set  strongly  in 
favor  of  the  new  governor.    He  was  easy  and  affable,  and  personally  mag- 
netic.   His  sentiments  met  with  the  heartiest  applause  from  all  classes. 
His  progress  through  the  country  was  one  triumphal  march,  and  the  city 
itself  was  in  ecstasies  at  his  arrival. 

On  Monday  morning  he  appeared  before  the  mayor  and  aldermen  at 
the  City  Hall,  and  published  his  commission  and  instructions.  Aug.  27. 
On  Tuesday  a  dinner  was  given  to  him  by  the  corporation.       Aug.  28. 

1  Philip  Carteret  died  shortly  after  this  event,  and  was  buried  in  New  York.  His  wife 
was  the  daughter  of  Richard  Smith,  the  patentee  of  Sinithtown,  and  the  widow  of  William 
Lawrence  of  New  York.  She  was  a  lady  of  more  than  ordinary  endowments  and  strength 
of  character,  and  was  frequently  intrusted  witli  the  affairs  of  the  government  of  New  Jer- 
sey during  the  absence  of  her  husband.  He  was  at  one  time  in  Europe  for  several  months, 
and  the  acts  of  that  period  are  recorded  as  "passed  under  the  administration  of  Lady  Eliza- 
beth Carteret."  Whitehead's  East  New  Jersey,  85.  Hatfield,  212,  213.  Brodhead,  II.  368, 
Thompson's  Long  Island. 

19 


300 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

1683  -  1686. 
GOVERNOR  THOMAS  DONGAN. 

Governor  Thomas  Dongan. — Mayor  William  Beekman. — William  Penn  in  New 
York.  —  The  first  New  York  Assembly.  —  Laws  enacted  by  the  Assembly.  — 
The  New  York  Courts.  —  The  Acts  of  the  Assembly. — New  York  contented 

AND  PROSPEROUS.  — DoMINIE  SELYNs's  PaKSONAGE.  — TlIE  Il'.OQUOIS  A  WALL  OF  DE- 
FENSE. —  A  Brush  with  Connecticut.- — Plot  to  assassinate  Charles  II.  and  the 
Duke  of  York.  — Confusion  in  England.  — Arguments  in  the  Privy  Council.  — 
Arbitrary  Measures.  — The  City  Charter.  —  The  Sabbath  Question  in  1684.  — 
Hotels  and  their  Guests. — Funeral  Customs.  —  Powder  Magazine.  —  Lord  Ef- 
fingham in  New  York.  — The  Great  Indian  Conference.  —  The  Auspicious  New 
Year.  —  The  Suddkn  Revulsion.  — The  Death  of  Charles  II.  — Scenes  and  Inci- 
dents. —  James  II.  proclaimed  King  of  England.  — The  new  King's  Promises.  — 
The  Gradual  Grasp  of  Power. — Inconsistencies  of  James  II.  —  Effect  upon 
New  York.  — Furies  in  1685.  — Mason  and  Dixon's  Line.  — William  Penn's  In- 
fluence at  Court. — The  Dongan  Charter.  —  New  City  Seal. — The  Albany 
Charter.  — The  Livingston  Manor.  — Philip  Livingston. 

aOVERNOR  THOMAS  DONGAN  was  about  fifty  years  of  age,  and 
a  bachelor.  He  had  broad  intelligent  views  on  all  subjects  of 
general  interest.  He  was,  moreover,  an  accomplished  politician.  Perhaps 
we  do  not  often  enough  reflect  how  effectively  the  spirit  of  one 
man,  or  of  a  few  men,  may  decide  the  destiny  of  a  state.  Cool 
tempers  and  wise  heads  possess  great  power  to  give  direction  to  the  com- 
mon mind.  This  was  a  remarkable  period.  New  York  was  passing 
through  a  crisis.  Dongan  was  essentially  a  man  for  the  times.  He  was 
a  ready  talker,  bland  and  deferential  to  his  associates,  and  fitted  to  in- 
spire confidence  in  all  around  him.  He  has  been  justly  classed  "among 
the  best  of  our  colonial  governors." 1 

One  clause  in  his  instructions  provided  for  the  appointment  of  Fred- 
erick Philipse  and  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  as  members  of  his  council. 
It  also  required  him  to  summon  other  eminent  men,  to  the  number  of 

1  .Some  yean  after,  Governor  Dongan  succeeded  to  the  Earldom  of  Limerick.  At  his  death, 
his  estates  in  America  were  settled  upon  three  nephews,  John,  Thomas,  and  Walter  Dongan, 
from  whom  those  of  the  name  in  New  York  have  descended. 


MAYOR  WILLIAM  BEEKMAN. 


301 


ten,  to  be  sworn  into  his  service  as  counselors.  John  Spragg  was  ap- 
pointed secretary  of  the  province,  in  the  place  of  John  "West,  who  had 
filled  the  office  temporarily.  West  was  an  energetic  and  prosperous 
lawyer :  he  married  Anna,  the  daughter  of  Lieutenant-Governor  Eudyard 
of  East  New  Jersey.1  Lucas  Santen  was  made  collector  of  the  reve- 
nues.   The  mayor  of  the  city  in  1683,  was  William  Beekman,2  and  he, 

with  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  Lucas  San- 
ten, Gabriel  Minvielle,  and  Captain  Mark 
Talbot,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  re- 
port upon  the  condition  of  Fort  James. 
Brockholls  and  Matthias  Nicolls  were  di- 
rected to  catalogue  the  provincial  records. 

As  soon  as  the  matters  of  first  necessity 
were  settled  in  the  metropolis, 
Dongan  hurried  to  Albany.  The  Sept- 13 
direct  occasion  of  this  sudden  trip  was  a 
rumor  that  "William  Penn  was  attempting 
to  secure  to  himself  the  Upper  Susque- 
hanna  Valley.  He  had  actually  com- 
missioned two  agents  to  treat  with  the 
Indians  about  the  purchase.  One  of 
fchese,  James  Graham,  an  alderman  of 
New  York,  was  already  in  Albany  on  this 
business  when  Dongan  arrived  from  England.  Nothing  less  than  a  per- 
sonal investigation  of  the  whole  matter  could  enable  the  new  governor  to 
pronounce  upon  its  justice.  Penn  himself  was  in  Albany,  and  the  two 
gentlemen  held  a  long  conference.  The  question  was  a  difficult  one, 
since  they  were  both  subjects  of  the  same  master.  Dongan,  however, 
ordered  a  stop  to  all  Penn's  proceedings  until  the  vexatious  boundary 
between  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  should  be  arranged ;  and  then 
courteously  invited  the  wily  Quaker  to  his  house  in  New  York,  where  he 
entertained  him  for  several  days.  Penn  was  engaged  in  a  similar  con- 
troversy with  Lord  Baltimore,  the  proprietor  of  Maryland,  and  when  he 
left  New  York  it  was  to  push  bis  claims  to  territory  in  that  direction. 

1  Thomas  Rudyard  was  an  eminent  London  lawyer.  He  died  abroad  in  1692.  His  daugh- 
ter Anna  married,  lor  her  third  husband,  Governor  Andrew  Hamilton  of  Pennsylvania.  His 
daughter  Margaret  married  Samuel  Winder,  the  prosecutor  of  Collector  Dyer.  Col.  Doc, 
III.  351. 

2  William  Beekman  purchased  all  the  region  of  Uhinebeck  from  the  Indians,  and  built  a 
small  stone  house,  which  is  still  standing.  The  bricks  of  the  chimney  were  imported  from 
Holland.  The  place  was  named  from  the  river  Rhine  in  Europe,  upon  the  hank  of  which 
Beekman  was  born. 


Beekman  House,  Rhinebeck. 


302 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


In  October,  the  Mohawks  visited  Fort  James,  and  agreed  to  give  the 
"  Susquehanna  Eiver  "  to  New  York.    Dongan  informed  Penn  at 

°  er'  once  of  the  fact,  "  about  which,"  he  adds,  "  you  and  I  shall  not 
fall  out ;  I  desire  we  may  joine  heartily  together,  to  advance  the  interests 
of  my  master  and  your  good  friend."  But  Penn  cared  less  for  his  "  good 
friend's  "  interests  than  his  own  ;  and  when,  a  year  later,  he  asked  Don- 
gan's  intervention  in  his  difficulty  with  Lord  Baltimore,  he  also  requested 
permission  to  treat  with  the  New  York  Indians  for  their  Susquehanna 
territory.  "  Mr.  Penn  has  already  more  land  than  he  can  people  these 
many  years,"  replied  Dongan,  and  coldly  dismissed  the  Quaker  agents. 
The  consequence  was  soon  apparent.  Penn  became  at  Whitehall,  whither 
he  returned  to  keep  up  his  interest  at  court,  Dongan's  bitterest  enemy.1 

The  most  important  event  of  the  year  1683  was  the  institution  in  New 
York  of  the  long-desired  colonial  Assembly,  by  which  the  Duke  of  York 
allowed  the  inhabitants  to  participate  in  legislation.  He  retained  in  his 
own  hands  the  power  to  appoint  a  governor  and  counselors,  and  thus 
maintained  a  certain  degree  of  colonial  subordination  ;  but  he  granted  to 
the  new  legislative  body  "  free  liberty  to  consult  and  debate  among  them- 
selves in  all  affairs  of  public  concern,"  and  to  make  laws,  which,  if  ap- 
proved by  the  governor,  were  good  and  binding  until  confirmed  or  rejected 
by  himself.  In  one  respect,  he  inaugurated  a  more  democratic  govern- 
ment than  was  enjoyed  in  the  chartered  colonies  of  New  England ;  for  he 
gave  to  freeholders  the  right  to  elect  their  own  representatives  in  an 
Assembly.  He  had  watched  those  Puritan  oligarchies  with  interest,  and 
perceived  that  they  were  administered  for  the  chosen  few,  and  not  for  the 
unprivileged  many.  He  abhorred  all  laws  which  made  distinctions  in 
religion.  But  he  directed  that  such  as  were  enacted  in  his  province 
should  be  as  similar  as  possible  to  those  in  force  in  England. 

Dongan  issued  writs  for  an  election;  and  New  York,  Long  Island, 
Staten  Island,  Esopus,  Albany,  Bensselaerswick,  Pemaquid,  and  Martha's 
Vineyard  proceeded  to  choose  representatives.  There  was  some  show  of 
dislike  to  a  Koman  Catholic  governor  among  the  remote  Puritan  towns 
on  Long  Island  ;  but  the  elections,  for  the  most  part,  went  on  quietly  ac- 
cording to  the  method  prescribed  by  the  governor  and  council.  Eighteen 
assemblymen  were  returned,  the  majority  of  whom  were  Dutch. 

It  was  a  memorable  day  in  the  history  of  New  York,  when  the  repre- 
sentatives of  its  freeholders  first  met  together  under  British  rule. 

Oct.  17. 

They  took  their  seats  on  the  17th  of  October.    Matthias  Nicolls 
was  chosen  speaker ;  and  John  Spragg,  clerk.    They  sat  for  three  weeks, 

1  Proud,  L  276.  P*nn.  Arch.,  I.  76-84.  Council  Min.,V.  10,  11.  Doc.  Hist.,  I.  262, 
263.    Col.  Doc.,  III.  341-422.    Colden,  II.  61 


THE  NEW  YORK  COURTS. 


303 


and  passed  fourteen  several  acts,  each  of  which,  after  three  readings,  was 
approved  by  Dongan  and  his  council.  The  first  and  most  important  of 
these  was  "The  charter  of  Liberties  and  Privileges"  granted  by  the  Duke. 
It  was  simply  and  clearly  worded  in  good  Saxon  English,1  and  embraced 
the  main  features  of  self-government  and  self-taxation  which  the  people 
had  so  earnestly  desired.  The  usual  privileges  of  Parliament  were  con- 
ferred on  the  members  of  the  Assembly.  Entire  freedom  of  conscience 
and  religion  was  guaranteed  to  all  peaceable  persons  who  professed  faith 
in  God.  And,  in  consideration  of  "  many  gracious  and  royal  favors,"  and 
for  the  necessary  expenses  of  the  government,  to  the  Duke  and  his  heirs 
were  granted  certain  specified  duties  on  importations.  The  latter  act  was 
declared  to  be  in  force  directly  after  its  publication,  which  took 
place  at  the  City  Hall  early  on  the  morning  of  October  31. 
Dongan  by  proclamation  ordered  all  persons  to  report  dues  to  Collector 
Santen. 

The  Assembly  divided  New  York  into  twelve  counties.  But  two  of 
them,  Duke's  and  Cornwall,  embracing  Nantucket  and  Martha's  Vineyard, 
Elizabeth  Island,  No  Man's  Island,  and  Pemaquid,  with  the  adjacent 
islands,  were  soon  after  ceded  to  other  governments.  Another  important 
act  was  "to  settle  Courts  of  Justice."  Four  distinct  tribunals  were  es- 
tablished in  New  York  :  Town  Courts,  for  the  trials  of  small  causes,  to  be 
held  each  month  ;  County  Courts,  or  Courts  of  Sessions,  to  be  held  quar- 
terly or  half-yearly  ;  a  General  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer,  with  original 
and  appellate  jurisdiction,  to  sit  twice  every  year  in  each  county ;  and  a 
Court  of  Chancery,  to  be  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  province,  composed 
of  the  governor  and  council,  with  power  in  the  governor  to  depute  a 
chancellor  in  his  stead,  and  to  appoint  clerks  and  other  officers.  But  any 
citizen  might  appeal  to  the  king  from  any  judgment,  according  to  a 
clause  in  the  patent  to  the  Duke  of  York.  The  first  judges  of  the  New 
York  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  appointed  by  Dongan  were  Matthias 
Nicolls  and  John  Palmer,  both  of  whom  had  been  bred  to  the  law  in 
England. 

A  significant  law  for  naturalizing  foreigners  was  enacted.  Louis  XIV. 
was  driving  out  of  France  all  of  his  subjects  who  refused  to  acknowledge 
the  Pope  of  Eome  as  the  only  Vicar  of  Christ,  and  numbers  of  the 
refugees  were  already  in  New  York.  Strangers  from  other  lands  were 
constantly  arriving.    The  Assembly,  as  if  imbued  with  the  spirit  of 

1  Brodhead,  II.  384,  Appendix,  Note  E.  New  York  Revised  Laws,  1813,  II.  Appendix, 
iii.,  vi.  Munsell's  Annals,  IV.  32-39.  Chalmers,  I.  584.  Bancroft,  II.  414.  Dunlap,  II. 
Appendix,  xlii.  Smith,  I.  115.  Journals  of  Legislative  Council,  Col.  Doc.,  III.  341.  ?57- 
359. 


304 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


prophecy,  ordained,  that  all  actual  inhabitants  of  the  province,  except 
slaves,  of  what  foreign  nation  soever,  who  professed  Christianity,  and 
who  had  taken  or  should  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  govern- 
ment, were  citizens ;  and  that  all  Christian  foreigners  who  should  after- 
wards come  and  settle  in  the  province  could  in  like  manner  become 
subjects  of  the  king. 

The  acts  of  the  Assembly  were  sent  to  England  by  Governor  Dongan 
for  the  Duke's  approval.  The  king  objected  to  the  words,  "  the  people," 
in  the  expression,  "the  people  met  in  a  General  Assembly,"  as  being 
too  democratic,  and  not  in  use  in  any  other  colonial  constitution.  But 
New  York  clung  to  them.  Her  first  State  Constitution,  in  1777,  de- 
clared that  the  style  of  all  her  laws  should  read  thus  :  "  Be  it  enacted  by 
the  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and  Assembly." 
And  under  her  second  Constitution,  of  1821,  she  adopted  the  more  direct 
formula  :  "  The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and 
Assembly,  do  enact,"  etc.  The  Duke's  secretary  wrote  to  Dongan  of 
several  amendments  which  were  proposed  in  the  revenue  part  of  the 
charter,  advising  that  they  be  acted  upon  at  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Assembly ;  and  it  was  accordingly  done.  The  Duke  finally  signed  and 
sealed  the  instrument.  Owing,  however,  to  serious  events  in  England, 
it  was  not  perfected  by  delivery. 

New  York  had  a  brief  season  of  apparent  content.  Addresses  of 
gratitude  were  sent  to  the  Duke ;  the  "  integrity,  justice,  equity,  and 
prudence  "  of  Dongan  were  emphasized ;  and  loyalty  was  expressed  in 
the  strongest  terms.  New  trading  regulations  were  established,  and  the 
merchants  of  the  city  subscribed  two  thousand  guineas  in  a  stock  com- 
pany to  manage  the  fisheries  and  the  Indian  trade  at  Pemaquid.  Taxes 
were  paid  cheerfully,  and  city  improvements  began  anew.  Quite  a 
number  of  houses  and  stores  were  projected,  and  there  was  a  healthful 
increase  of  business  of  all  kinds. 

Dominie  Selyns  wrote  to  the  classis  of  Amsterdam  that  his  congre- 
gation were  building  him  a  parsonage  "wholly  of  stone,  three  stories 
high,  and  raised  on  the  foundation  of  unmerited  love."  He  said  Gov- 
ernor Dongan  was  a  gentleman  "of  knowledge,  politeness,  and  friend- 
liness"; that  he  had  received  a  visit  from  his  Excellency,  and  could 
call  upon  him  whenever  he  chose.  As  for  himself,  he  said,  he  had  too 
much  work  for  one  person,  as  he  could  not  neglect  the  surrounding 
villages,  but  preached  in  them  on  Mondays  and  Thursdays,  adminis- 
tering the  communion  and  attending  other  services.  He  spoke  of  a 
French  colleague,  Dominie  Petrus  Dailh',  late  professor  at  Salmurs,  and 
described  him  as  "full  of  fire,  godliness,  and  learning";  he  conducted 


THE  IROQUOIS  A   WALL  OF  DEFENSE. 


305 


French  worship  in  the  old  Dutch  church  in  the  fort  between  the  hours 
of  the  Dutch  service  in  the  morning  and  the  Episcopal  in  the  afternoon. 
Eev.  Dr.  John  Gordon  was  the  English  chaplain.  Dominie  Dellius  had 
just  come  out  from  Holland,  and  been  installed  as  the  colleague  of 
Dominie  Schaats,  at  Albany.1 

The  records  of  the  transactions  between  Dongan  and  the  Indians  are 
among  the  most  valuable  and  interesting  documents  of  the  times.  The 
frontiers  of  New  York  had  no  protection  against  encroachments  from 
the  French,  except  the  valor  of  the  Iroquois.  Their  fighting  men  num- 
bered ten  times  as  many  then  as  they  did  a  century  later.  They  were 
subtle,  restless,  treacherous  allies;  and  yet  their  importance,  as  a  wall 
of  separation  between  an  unprotected  colony  and  an  always  possible  foe, 
was  so  apparent  to  the  leading  minds  both  in  New  York  and  England, 
that  every  effort  which  ingenuity  could  devise  was  put  forth  to  win 
the  favor  of  these  renowned  warriors.  Dongan  made  the  subject  a  care- 
ful study.  Schuyler  and  Livingston,  at  Albany,  were  of  great  assistance 
to  him,  being  familiar  with  the  language  and  character  of  the  various 
tribes.  The  Five  Nations  were  a  sovereign  republic  in  themselves,  and 
all  their  general  business  was  performed  by  a  congress  of  sachems,  at 
Onondaga.  As  subsequent  events  proved,  New  York  was  indebted  to 
them  for  her  present  northern  boundary ;  for,  had  it  not  been  for  them, 
Canada  would  have  embraced  the  entire  basin  of  the  St.  Lawrence. 

Connecticut  had  been  surly  ever  since  Philipse  began  to  improve  his 
property  at  Sleepy  Hollow.  "  Castle  Philipse,"  a  stone  house,  was  erected, 
and  fortified  with  great  care 
against  the  Indians,  in  1683 
(the  same  year  that  the  new 
mill  first  began  to  grind  the 
grain  from  all  the  country 
round).  This  building  still 
survives,  and  the  port-holes 
and  loop-holes  for  cannon  and 
musketry  may  yet  be  seen 
in  its  cellar-walls.  A  few 
years  later  (1699)  Philipse 
built  at  his  own  expense,  op- 
posite "  Castle  Philipse,"  a  substantial  church,  which  is  now  the  oldest 
church  edifice  in  the  State  of  New  York.  But  it  was  when  Dongan 
notified  the  towns  of  Eye,  Greenwich,  and  Stamford  to  "  make  present- 
ment" at  the  New  York  Assizes  that  Connecticut  groaned  aloud,  and 

1  Corr.  CI.  Amst.    Murphy's  Anth.,  104,  105.    Doc.  Hist.,  III.  265,  535,  536. 
2C 


Dutch  Church  :  Sleepy  Hollow. 


306 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


once  more  stirred  the  much-agitated  boundary  question.    She  said  all 
those  places  "  indubitably  "  belonged  to  herself.   Dongan  responded, 
that  advantage  had  been  taken  in  1664  of  Nicolls's  want  of  geo- 
graphical knowledge  by  running  the  line  ten  miles  instead  of  twenty 
miles  east  of  the  Hudson  River,  according  to  agreement ;  and  that,  if  the 
territory  was  not  yielded,  he  should  proceed  to  claim  tbe  whole  of  the 
Duke's  patent  to  the  Connecticut  River.    It  was  a  perilous  time  for 
English  charters,  and  wisdom  clearly  seemed  the  better  part  of 

Nov  14. 

'  valor.    Governor  Treat,  in  great  tribulation,  summoned  a  special 
court  at  Hartford ;  and  commissioners  were  appointed  to  visit  and 
confer  with  Dongan.    Governor  Treat,  Nathan  Gold,  Secretary 

'  Allyn,  and  William  Pitkin  were  the  appointees,  and  journeyed 
on  horseback  to  the  metropolis.    Dongan,  attended  by  Counselors  Fred- 
erick Philipse,  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  Anthony  Brockkolls,  and  John 
Younge,  met  them,  fortified  with  the  testimony  of  several  gentlemen  who 
knew  personally  all  the  details  of  the  boundary  settlement  of 

'  1664.  The  agents  finally  appealed  to  Dongan's  magnanimity, 
asking  to  be  allowed  to  retain  some  of  their  settlements  on  the  Sound  in 
exchange  for  equivalent  property  inland.  After  much  discussion,  it  was 
amicably  arranged,  that  the  boundary  line  should  be  removed  a  few  miles 
east  from  Mamaroneck  to  Byram  River,  between  Rye  and  Greenwich, 
and  run  thence  as  it  now  remains ;  and  that  this  new  line  should  be 
properly  surveyed  the  next  October.  The  Connecticut  agents,  after  their 
return,  notified  the  people  of  Rye  that  they  "  coidd  not  help  "  giving  up 
that  town,  but  that  Dongan  was  a  noble  gentleman,  and  would  do  for 
their  welfare  whatever  they  should  "desire  in  a  regular  manner." 

At  that  very  moment  England  was  in  a  political  convulsion.  A  plot 
to  murder  the  king  and  the  Duke  had  been  discovered.  The  details  of 
the  proposed  butchery  had  all  been  arranged  at  a  small  farm  near  Lon- 
don, from  which  it  was  called  the  "  Bye  House  Plot."  There  were,  in 
reality,  two  plots,  one  within  the  other.  The  greater  was  a  Whig  plot, 
to  raise  the  nation  in  arms  against  the  government,  and  the  leaders  knew 
nothing  of  the  lesser,  or  "  Rye  House,  Plot,"  in  which  only  a  few  desperate 
men  were  concerned,  under  the  delusion  that  to  kill  the  scions  of  royalty 
was  the  shortest  and  surest  way  to  vindicate  the  Protestant  religion  and 
the  liberties  of  England.  There  were  traitors  among  them,  who  divulged 
all  and  more  than  all,  and  the  two  plots  were  confounded  together.  The 
whole  Whig  party  were  implicated,  to  a  certain  extent.  Men  of  high 
rank  were  condemned  and  executed  ;  among  them,  Lord  William  Russell 
and  Algernon  Sidney.  Politicians,  in  great  numbers,  were  sent  to  the 
gallows.    Convictions  were  obtained  without  difficulty  from  Tory  juries, 


CONFUSION  IN  ENGLAND. 


307 


and  rigorous  punishments  were  inflicted  by  courtly  judges.  The  Court 
of  King's  Bench  declared  the  franchise  of  the  city  of  London  forfeited  to 
the  crown.  Flushed  with  victory,  Charles  proceeded  to  deprive  of  its 
charter  almost  every  corporation  in  his  realm.  Then  he  granted  new 
ones,  which  gave  power  into  the  hands  of  the  Tories.  These  proceedings 
were  accompanied  by  an  act,  intended  as  a  sort  of  pledge  to  his  subjects 
for  the  security  of  their  Protestantism ;  for  he  was  himself  nominally  the 
head  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  Anne,  the  youngest  daughter  of  James, 
who,  like  her  sister  Mary,  had  been  nurtured  a  Protestant,  he  gave  in 
marriage  to  George,  a  prince  of  the  orthodox  house  of  Denmark,  whose 
chief  recommendations  were  his  dullness  and  his  Lutheranism.  This  was 
in  opposition  to  the  wishes  of  James  ;  but  Charles  said,  "  Brother,  we 
must  mollify  England."  And  England,  to  a  certain  degree,  was  mollified ; 
for  James  being  near  the  age  of  the  king,  even  if  he  should  outlive  and 
succeed  his  brother,  his  reign  would  probably  be  short,  and  there  was  the 
gratifying  prospect  of  a  long  line  of  Protestant  sovereigns. 

Still  further  emboldened,  Charles  violated  the  plain  letter  of  the  law, 
and  rewarded  James  for  his  acquiescence  in  the  marriage  of  Anne  by 
dispensing  with  the  Test  Act  in  his  favor  and  restoring  him  to  his  old 
office  of  Lord  High  Admiral  of  England.  Soon  after,  he  took  him  into 
his  Privy  Council.  It  appeared  by  these  successive  trials  that  the  nation 
would  endure  almost  anything  which  the  government  had  the  courage  to 
inflict.    The  hour  of  revolution  was  not  quite  yet. 

The  king's  acts  were  not  approved  by  his  ministers.  Halifax,  in  par- 
ticular, objected  to  the  long  intermission  of  Parliaments,  regretted  the 
severity  with  which  the  vanquished  Whigs  were  treated,  and  dreaded  the 
reaction  of  public  feeling.  He  urged  the  king  to  send  the  Duke  to  Scot- 
land,  and  the  Duke  pressed  his  brother  to  dismiss  Halifax.  At  one  of  the 
last  councils  which  Charles  held,  the  Massachusetts  charter  was  discussed. 
The  king  had  made  void  his  father's  patent  to  that  corporation,  on  the 
ground  that  the  rulers  there  had  abused  their  privileges  by  excluding 
from  the  freedom  of  their  corporation  those  who  did  not  agree  with  them 
in  matters  of  religion.  He  had  no  sympathy  with  Puritanism.  But 
how  should  Massachusetts  be  governed  ?  James  suggested  that  the 
whole  power,  legislative  as  well  as  executive,  should  abide  in  the  crown. 
Several  of  the  lords  were  of  the  same  opinion.  Halifax  argued  with 
energy  in  favor  of  representative  government.  "  Remember,"  he  said, 
"  that  a  population  sprung  from  English  stock  and  animated  by  English 
feelings  will  not  long  submit  to  be  deprived  of  English  institutions." 
James,  in  great  heat,  maintained  the  right  of  the  king  to  govern  his  dis- 
tant countries  in  the  way  which  should  seem  to  him  most  convenient. 


308 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


"  Life  would  not  be  worth  having,"  exclaimed  the  unintimidated  Halifax, 
"  where  liberty  and  property  were  at  the  mercy  of  one  despotic  master." 

Charles  hesitated.  He  was  not  altogether  pleased  with  his  brother's 
excessive  zeal,  and  he  was  too  indolent  to  act  independently.  But,  in  the 
end,  it  was  settled  that  the  king's  sovereignty  was  to  be  resumed.  Sir 
Edmund  Andros  was  suggested  as  the  royal  governor  for  Massachusetts  ; 
but  he  was  at  present  occupied  with  private  affairs  in  the  '  Channel 
Islands,  and  Colonel  Kirke,  a  dangerous,  unprincipled  despot,  was  chosen 
in  his  stead.  He  was  commissioned  with  power  to  make  laws  and 
perform  all  acts  of  government,  under  the  king,  in  New  England ;  in- 
cluding Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire,  Maine,  and  New  Plymouth : 
Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut  were  excepted  from  his  authority.  In  his 
instructions,  no  mention  whatever  was  made  of  a  legislative  assembly. 

James  privately  hoped  to  obtain  from  his  brother  (now  more  than  ever 
indulgent)  a  special  grant  of  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut.  And  all  at 
once  came  a  petition  from  Dongan  and  his  council,  and  the  mayor  and 
aldermen  of  the  city  of  New  York,  that  the  Duke  would,  either  by  pur- 
chase or  otherwise,  if  possible,  reannex  East  New  Jersey  to  his  province. 
The  reason  given  was,  that,  "  by  reason  of  the  separation,  the  trade  of 
New  York  was  diverted,  to  the  injury  of  his  Majesty's  revenue." 

One  of  Dougan's  special  instructions  from  the  Duke  was,  to  grant  the 
city  of  New  York  "  immunities  and  privileges  "  beyond  what  any 

Nov. 

other  parts  of  his  possessions  enjoyed.  As  soon  as  the  Assembly 
adjourned,  the  mayor  and  common  council  petitioned  for  a  confirmation 
of  the  "  immunities  "  granted  the  corporation  by  Nicolls,  with  certain  addi- 
tions, including  the  division  of  the  city  into  six  wards  ;  the  annual  elec- 
tion of  aldermen  and  other  officers  by  the  freemen  in  each  ward  (the 
local  government  of  the  city  to  be  intrusted  to  them,  and  to  a  mayor  ami 
recorder,  to  be  annually  appointed  by  the  governor  and  council),  with 
provisions  that  a  sheriff,  coroner,  and  town  clerk  be  appointed  in  the 
same  way  ;  that  the  corporation  appoint  their  own  treasurer  ;  and,  finally, 
that  whatever  else  was  necessary  for  the  welfare  of  the  metropolis  should 
be  accorded  as  fully  as  to  similar  corporations  in  England. 

Objections  were  raised  by  Dongan  to  sonic  of  t  he  proposed  additional 
articles,  but,  after  explanation  and  discussion,  they  were  agreed  to  in 
almost  every  particular.  The  existing  officers  were  reappointed  :  John 
West  was  commissioned  city  clerk  ;  and  John  Tudor,  a  Loudon  lawyer, 
was  made  city  sheriff.  James  Graham  was  commissioned  the  first  re- 
corder of  the  city  of  New  York,  and  took  his  place  upon  the  bench  at  the 
right  band  of  the  mayor,  Cornells  Steenwyck. 

The  board  proceeded  to  divide  the  city  into  six  wards ;  assigning 


THE  SABBATH  QUESTION  IN  1684-  309 


Nicholas  Bayard  as  alderman  for  the  South  Ward,  John  Inians  for  the 
Dock  Ward,  William  Pinhorne  for  the  East  Ward,  Gulian  Verplanck  for 
the  North  Ward,  John  Robinson  for  the  West  Ward,  and  William  Cox 
for  the  Out  Ward.  They  adopted  various  by-laws  for  the  better  govern- 
ment of  the  city.  Among  them  was  one,  which  said,  "  no  youths,  maydes, 
or  other  persons  may  meet  together  on  the  Lord's  day  for  sporte  or  play, 
under  penalty  of  a  fine  of  one  shilling."  No  public  houses  were  allowed 
to  keep  open  doors,  or  give  entertainment  on  the  Sabbath,  except  to  stran- 
gers, under  a  fine  of  ten  shillings.  No  manner  of  work  was  to  be  done 
on  the  Lord's  day,  under  the  same  penalty,  and  double  for  each  repeti- 
tion. No  children  were  allowed  to  play  in  the  streets  on  the  Sabbath 
day ;  and  not  more  than  four  Indian  or  negro  slaves  might  assemble 
together  in  any  place,  under  a  penalty  of  six  shillings  to  their  owners. 

The  Sabbath  question  was,  with  the  men  of  that  day,  one  of  morals 
and  religion.  They  believed  that  the  roads  which  led  to  Sunday  amuse- 
ments were  in  a  contrary  direction  from  that  pointed  out  by  the  Christian 
Church.  Their  experience,  as  well  as  their  education,  had  taught  them 
that  the  only  way  to  build  up  and  purify  a  community  was  to  legislate 
for  the  proper  observance  of  the  Sabbath.  Before  we  welcome  that  Euro- 
pean Sunday  of  amusements  which  now  seems  about  to  invade  our 
shores,  let  us  well  consider  the  effect  of  the  Dutch  and  English  and 
American  Sabbath  upon  the  character  of  the  people  that  have  been 
brought  under  its  influence,  and  what  it  has  contributed  to  the  progress 
and  the  glory  of  three  great  nations. 

It  was  also  enacted,  that  the  proprietors  of  hotels  should  report  all 
strangers  who  arrived,  and  never  entertain  any  person,  man  or  woman, 
suspected  of  a  bad  character,  under  penalty  of  a  fine  of  ten  shillings. 
Flour  bolted  in  the  city  was  to  be  inspected.  Bolting  was  performed  by 
horse-power,  as  water  and  steam  had  not  yet  been  utilized.  Indians 
were  allowed,  by  a  special  license,  to  sell  firewood ;  also,  to  vend  gutters 
for  houses,  —  long  strips  of  bark,  so  curved  at  the  sides  as  to  conduct 
water.  All  horses  ranging  loose  were  to  be  branded  and  enrolled.  A  re- 
ward was  offered  to  all  who  should  destroy  wolves. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  collect  ancient  records  of  the  city  and 
its  laws,  for  preservation.  Surveyors  were  chosen,  to  regulate  the  manner 
of  building,  and  preserve  uniformity  in  the  streets.  A  constable  was 
appointed,  to  walk  up  and  down,  armed,  and  see  that  the  laws  were 
obeyed  ;  a  haven-master,  also,  to  look  after  the  shipping  and  collect  the 
bills.  There  was  a  public  chimney-sweep,  whose  duty  it  was  to  announce 
his  approach  by  crying  through  the  streets,  and  to  cleanse  the  metropoli- 
tan chimneys  at  a  compensation  of  one  shilling  or  eighteen  pence  apiece, 
according  to  the  height  of  the  house. 


310  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


An  Inviter  to  Funerals  was  licensed  by  the  mayor.  The  first  man  who 
served  the  public  in  that  capacity  was  Conradus  Vanderbeck  ;  his  assist- 
ant was  Robert  Chapman.  They  were  required  to  serve  the  poor  gratis. 
The  customs  of  the  period  in  respect  to  funerals  were  peculiar.  No  one, 
of  any  caste,  thought  of  attending  a  funeral  without  invitation.  The 
bearers  were  presented  with  mourning  rings,  silk  scarfs,  and  handker- 
chiefs. In  some  cases,  all  the  invited  guests  were  presented  with  gloves. 
After  the  ceremonies  of  burial,  they  returned  to  the  house  to  partake  of  a 
banquet,  at  which,  if  the  means  of  the  family  allowed,  the  best  of  wines 
were  furnished. 

A  portion  of  the  slaughter-house  at  Smits  Vly,  being  at  a  safe  distance 
from  the  city,  was,  this  year,  converted  into  a  powder  magazine,  and 
Garret  Johnson  was  intrusted  with  its  custody. 

By  advice  of  the  mayor  and  common  council,  Dongan  issued  a  proclama- 
tion, prohibiting  the  packing  or  bolting  of  flour,  or  the  making  of  bread 
for  exportation  to  any  place  within  the  government,  except  the  city  of 
New  York.  This  was  in  addition  to  the  former  bolting  monopoly,  and 
was  approved  by  the  Duke,  who  was  anxious  to  encourage  the  metropolis 
above  all  other  cities.  There  were  twenty-four  bakers,  who  were  divided 
into  six  classes,  one  for  each  working-day  in  the  week.  The  price  estab- 
lished by  law  for  a  white  loaf  of  bread,  weighing  twelve  ounces,  was  six 
stuyvers  in  wampum. 

In  the  summer  of  1684,  Lord  Effingham,  governor  of  Virginia,  visited 
New  York,  accompanied  by  two  of  his  counselors,  for  the  purpose 
of  inducing  Dongan  to  join  him  in  a  war  against  the  Five  Nations, 
who  had  been  committing  outrages  all  along  the  borders  of  his  territory. 
He  was  the  first  British  peer  upon  whom  was  conferred  the  distinction 
of  the  "  freedom  of  the  city."  He  was  the  guest  of  Dongan,  and  the 
recipient  of  all  manner  of  courtesies  from  the  leading  families.  Sundry 
dinner-parties  were  given  in  his  honor,  which  brought  together  the 
Philipses,  Van  Cortlandts,  Bayards,  Stuyvesants,  De  Peysters,  Kips, 
Beekmans,  and  others. 

But  serious  work  was  before  the  government.  Dongan  and  Lord 
Effingham  went  to  Albany,  where  they  were  cordially  welcomed  by 
Schuyler  and  Livingston.  Deputies  from  the  Five  Nations  had  been 
summoned  to  meet  them,  and  were  already  on  the  spot.  Counselor  Van 
Cortlandt,  who  had  been  appointed  agent  for  Massachusetts,  to  ratify 
with  gifts  and  pledges  the  ancient  friendship  of  New  England  and  the 
savages,  was  also  present.  Lord  Effingham  opened  the  stately  conference 
by  an  address  to  the  sachems,  recapitulating  the  promises  broken  and  tin' 
outrages  recently  committed  by  them,  and  proposing  to  make  "  a  new 


THE  GREAT  INDIAN  CONFERENCE. 


311 


chain  "  between  them  and  Virginia  and  Maryland,  "  to  endure  even  to 
the  world's  end."  Dongan  followed  in  a  similar  strain  of  oratory. 
Taking  advantage  of  the  good  feeling  produced,  a  written  sub-  July3a 
mission  to  "  the  Great  Sachem,  Charles,  that  lives  on  the  other  side  of 
the  Great  Lake,"  was  obtained  from  the  Iroquois.  It  was  traced  in  legi- 
ble characters  upon  two  white  dressed  deer-skins,  which  were  to  be  sent 
to  the  "  Sachem  Charles,"  to  put  his  name  and  red  seal  upon.  By  this 
instrument,  all  the  Susquehanna  River  above  the  "  Washuta,"  and  all  the 
rest  of  the  land  of  the  Iroquois,  was  confirmed  to  the  Duke,  as  within  the 
limits  of  New  York.1 

The  Indians  requested  that  the  Duke's  arms  should  be  put  upon  their 
castles,  supposing  that  this  would  protect  them  from  the  French.  Dongan 
notified  the  French  commander  of  Canada  that  the  Duke's  territory  must 
not  be  invaded ;  but  this  did  not  prevent  the  most  persistent  and  vexa- 
tious intermeddling,  and  a  protracted  series  of  annoyances  and  alarms. 

The  next  day,  the  sachems  promised  "  to  plant  a  tree  of  peace,  whose 
tops  will  reach  the  sun  and  its  branches  spread  far  abroad,  to  cover  Vir- 
ginia, Maryland,  and  Massachusetts."  Axes  were  buried  in  the  south- 
east end  of  the  Albany  court-house  yard,  and  the  Indians  threw  earth 
upon  them. 

The  inconvenience  of  having  two  distinct  governments  upon  one  river 
grew  more  and  more  apparent.  East  New  Jersey  revived  her  old  claim 
to  Staten  Island,  which  Lady  Carteret  had  tried  in  vain  to  establish  in 
1681  ;  printed  circulars,  freely  distributed,  so  agitated  the  landholders 
that  many  of  them  deemed  it  a  matter  of  prudence  to  secure  their  titles  by 
obtaining  additional  patents  from  the  East  New  Jersey  proprietors.  Judge 
Palmer,  and  Dongan  himself,  having  purchased  valuable  estates  on  Staten 
Island,  are  said  to  have  done  likewise.  The  Duke's  secretary,  who  had 
witnessed  the  transfer  of  the  Jersey  lands,  wrote  to  Dongan  that  there 
was  no  manner  of  color  for  such  pretensions.  The  Surveyor-General  of 
New  York,  Philip  Wells,  was  accordingly  ordered  to  lay  out  Staten  Island 
in  such  a  way  as  to  regard  ■  each  owner's  patent ;  and  Thomas  Lovelace, 
the  sheriff  of  Staten  Island,  was  directed  to  summon  all  persons  without 
proper  land  titles  before  the  governor  and  council  for  examination. 

The  new  year  opened  auspiciously.    New  York  was  in  a  fair  and 
promising  condition.    In  gorgeous  halls  across  the  water,  her  sov- 
ereign, a  man  of  fifty  well-rounded  years,  healthy,  robust,  and  gay 
almost  to  frivolity,  surrounded  by  ladies  whose  charms  were  the  boast 
and  whose  vices  were  the  disgrace  of  the  age,  and  by  gambling  courtiers 

1  Col.  Doc,  III.  347-516.  Coldcn  (first  ed.),  64,  65  ;  ed.  1755,  I.  55,  56.  Penn.  Arch., 
1.121-125.    Brodheud,  II.  395-397.    Doc.  Hist.  N.  T.,  1.  261-266. 


312  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


winning  and  losing  mountains  of  gold  in  a  night,  was  looking  forward  to 
a  long  life  of  ease  and  pleasure. 

A  month  rolled  round.  Scarcely  had  Charles  risen  from  his  bed  on 
the  morning  of  February  2d,  than  the  gentlemen  of  rank,  who 
had  assembled  as  usual  to  chat  with  him  while  he  was  being 
shaved,  noticed  a  strange  look  upon  his  face.  An  instant  later,  he  uttered 
a  loud  cry  and  fell  insensible  into  the  arms  of  Lord  Bruce.  A  physician, 
who  happened  to  be  present,  quickly  opened  a  vein,  and  he  was  laid  upon 
a  bed.  The  alarm  was  given,  and  all  the  medical  men  of  note  in  London 
were  summoned  to  the  palace.  One  prescription  was  signed  by  fourteen 
names.  He  recovered  his  senses  after  a  time,  yet  lay  in  a  condition  of 
extreme  danger.  The  queen  hung  over  him,  and  the  Duke  scarcely  left 
his  bedside.  The  news  filled  London  with  dismay,  for  those  who  most 
disliked  him  preferred  his  unprincipled  levity  to  his  brother's  stern 
bigotry.  The  prelates  who  were  present  exhorted  him  to  prepare  for 
death,  which  was  imminent;  but  he  listened  to  them  in  silence.  The 
service  for  the  visitation  of  the  sick  was  read ;  he  said  he  was  sorry  for 
what  he  had  done  amiss,  and  absolution  was  pronounced,  according  to 
the  forms  of  the  Church  of  England  ;  but  when  the  faithful  divines  urged 
that  he  should  declare  that  he  died  in  the  communion  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  he  was  apparently  unconscious,  and  made  no  movement  to  take 
the  eucharist  from  the  hands  of  the  bishop.  A  table  with  bread  and 
wine  was  brought  to  his  bedside ;  but  he  said  there  was  no  hurry,  and 
that  he  was  too  weak ;  and  it  was  supposed  that  he  was  overcome  witli 
the  stupor  which  precedes  death. 

A  few  persons  in  his  household  knew  that  he  had  never  been  a  sincere 
member  of  the  Established  Church.  In  his  rarely  serious  moments,  he 
was  at  heart  a  Roman  Catholic.  The  Duke  was  so  much  occupied  look- 
ing after  his  own  interests,  the  posting  of  guards  through  the  city,  and  the 
preparation  for  his  proclamation  as  soon  as  the  king  should  expire,  that 
he  was  oblivious  to  the  danger  of  the  loss  of  his  brother's  soul  for  the 
want  of  the  last  sacraments.  This  was  the  more  extraordinary  as  the 
Duchess  of  York  had,  at  the  request  of  the  queen,  suggested  spiritual 
assistance.  The  Duchess  of  Portsmouth  finally  sent  the  French  ambassa- 
dor to  remind  James  of  his  sacred  duty.  The  message  was  whispered  in 
his  ear,  and  he  started,  scarcely  able  to  repress  tears  at  the  thought  of  his 
negligence,  and  hastily  looked  about  him  to  see  how  it  might  be  repaired. 
The  room  was  filled  with  Protestant  clergymen.  Catholicism  was  the 
powder  magazine  of  the  kingdom.  There  was  not  a  moment  to  waste  in 
preliminaries.  He  commanded  every  one  to  stand  back,  and  bending  over 
the  dying  king  said  something  in  a  whisper  to  which  Charles  answered 


SCENES  AND  INCIDENTS. 


313 


audibly,  "Yes,  yes,  with  all  my  heart."  "  Shall  I  bring  a  priest  ?  "  asked 
James.  "  Do,  brother,  for  God's  sake  do,  and  lose  no  time  ;  but  no,  you 
will  get  into  trouble  "  ;  and  his  voice  grew  fainter.  "  If  it  costs  me  my 
life,  I  will  bring  a  priest,"  exclaimed  the  Duke,  with  great  feeling. 

The  gentlemen  standing  about  the  room  were  not  aware  of  the  purport 
of  the  conversation.  To  find  a  priest  for  such  a  purpose  at  a  moment's 
notice  was  no  easy  thing  to  do.  As  the  law  then  stood,  it  was  a  capital 
crime  to  admit  a  proselyte  into  the  Roman  Catholic  Church.  A  Portu- 
guese nobleman,  who  was  present,  undertook  to  find  one  of  the  queen's 
chaplains ;  but  none  of  them  understood  English  or  French  sufficiently. 
The  French  ambassador  was  about  to  go  to  the  Venetian  minister  for  a 
clergyman,  when  they  learned  that  there  was  a  Benedictine  monk  at 
"Whitehall,  named  Huddleston,  who  had,  after  the  battle  of  Worcester, 
risked  his  life  to  save  that  of  the  king,  and  had  ever  since  been  a  priv- 
ileged person.  When  the  nation  had  been  goaded  to  fury  and  proclama- 
tions issued  against  popish  priests,  Huddleston  had  always  been  excepted 
by  name.  He  was  willing  to  put  his  life  in  peril  again  for  the  king  he 
loved  ;  but  he  was  so  illiterate  that  he  had  to  have  instructions  as  to 
what  was  proper  to  say  on  such  a  momentous  occasion.  He  was  brought 
by  a  confidential  servant  up  the  back  stairway.  The  Duke  recpiested  all 
present,  except  three  noblemen  whom  he  dared  trust,  to  withdraw.  Then 
the  back  door  was  opened  and  the  monk,  whose  sacred  vestments  were 
concealed  under  a  cloak,  entered.  When  he  was  announced,  Charles 
faintly  answered,  "  He  is  welcome."  Huddleston  went  through  his  part 
better  than  was  expected,  pronounced  the  absolution,  and  administered 
extreme  unction.  He  asked  if  Charles  wished  to  receive  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per. "  Surely,  if  I  am  not  unworthy,"  was  the  quick  reply.  Mean- 
while, the  courtiers  in  the  outer  room  were  whispering  their  suspicions, 
with  significant  glances.  The  door  was  opened,  and  once  more  they 
stood  around  the  king's  bed.  He  retained  his  faculties  during  the  entire 
night,  conversing  at  intervals  with  different  persons.  Once  he  apologized 
for  being  such  an  unconscionable  time  dying,  and  hoped  those  who  had 
stood  about  him  so  long  would  excuse  it.  Soon  after  daylight  his  speech 
failed,  and  about  noon  he  passed  away. 

In  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  James  came  out  of  the  closet,  whither  he  had 
retired  when  all  was  over,  and  the  Privy  Counselors,  who  were  assembled 
in  the  palace,  proclaimed  him  king.  Usage  required  a  speech,  and  the 
new  monarch  expressed  a  few  words  of  touching  sorrow  for  the  loss  just 
sustained,  and  promised  to  imitate  the  singular  lenity  which  had  distin- 
guished the  late  reign.  He  said  he  hud  been  accused  of  an  over-fondness 
for  power ;  but  that  was  one  of  many  falsehoods  which  had  been  told 


314 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


of  him.  He  would  maintain  the  established  government  both  in  Church 
and  State,  and,  knowing  the  Church  of  England  to  be  eminently  loyal, 
should  specially  care  for,  support,  and  defend  it.  And  he  should  with  his 
life  defend  the  rights  and  Liberties  of  his  people. 

The  lords  were  delighted  with  his  sentiments.  When  his  speech  was 
made  public,  it  produced  a  pleasing  impression.  A  king,  whose  very 
first  act  was  to  defend  the  Church  and  strictly  respect  the  rights  of  his 
people,  was  certainly  fit  to  wear  a  crown.  His  worst  enemies  did  not 
regard  him  as  one  likely  to  court  public  favor  by  professing  what  he  did 
not  feel,  or  by  promising  what  he  had  no  intention  of  performing.  He 
would  probably  have  kept  his  word,  had  it  not  involved  complicated  rela- 
tions which  his  mind  could  not  grasp.  At  a  later  period,  he  stated  that 
his  unpremeditated  expressions  touching  the  Church  of  England  were  too 
strong,  and  had  been  made  without  due  consideration. 

James  knew,  when  he  ascended  the  throne  of  England,  that  it  was 
liable  to  be  overturned  in  an  hour,  and  his  face  was  fixed  on  France,  in 
an  agony  of  supplication.  His  new  ministry,  of  which  Halifax  was  Lord 
President,  in  spite  of  old  quarrels,  urged  the  call  of  a  Parliament.  There 
was  no  other  safe  course.  The  customs  had  been  settled  for  life  on 
Charles  only,  and  could  not  be  legally  exacted  by  the  new  king.  James 
issued  the  call,  and  then  apologized  deferentially  to  Louis  for  taking  such 
a  step  without  coming  to  him  for  advice.  He  asked  the  French  king  for 
a  subsidy,  and  his  wants  were  promptly  supplied.  When  the  money  waa 
put  into  his  hands,  he  actually  shed  tears  of  gratitude.  He  became  the 
slave  of  France.  The  degrading  relation  galled  him,  and  he  looked  about 
in  vain  for  some  way  in  which  to  break  loose  from  his  thralldom.  He 
grew  haughty,  punctilious,  boastful,  and  quarrelsome,  and  evinced  tokens 
of  indecision  and  insincerity.  Those  who  were  without  the  clew  were 
puzzled  by  his  extraordinary  conduct.  Even  Louis  could  not  compre- 
hend the  ally,  who  passed,  in  a  few  hours,  from  homage  to  defiance  and 
from  defiance  to  homage.  It  was  only  within  narrow  limits  that  he  could 
conform  his  actions  to  a  general  rule.  It  was  not  long  before  he  was 
assuring  the  United  Provinces,  that,  as  soon  as  the  affairs  of  England 
were  settled,  he  would  show  the  world  how  little  he  feared  France.  The 
patience  of  the  nation  caused  visions  of  dominion  and  glory  to  rise  before 
his  mind. 

A  little  oratory  had  been  fitted  up  in  the  palace  for  Mary,  while 
Duchess  of  York,  and  James  was  in  the  habit  of  hearing  mass  with  her 
there  in  private.  Soon  after  he  became  king,  he  shocked  his  Protestant 
subjects  by  erecting  a  new  pulpit,  and  throwing  open  the  doors,  so  that 
all  who  came  to  pay  their  duty  to  him  might  see  the  Catholic  ceremony. 


INCONSISTENCIES  OF  JAMES  II. 


315 


There  was  a  sensation  in  the  antechamber,  the  Catholics  falling  on  their 
knees  and  the  Protestants  hurrying  away.  During  Lent,  a  series  of  ser- 
mons was  preached  there  by  popish  divines,  and  a  little  later  the  rites  of 
the  Church  of  Home  were  once  more,  after  an  interval  of  a  hundred  and 
twenty-seven  years,  performed  on  Easter  Sunday  at  Westminster  with 
regal  splendor.-  The  Tories  were  in  the  ascendant ;  hence  zealous  church- 
men brooded  over  England's  wrongs  in  dignified  silence.  But,  on  the 
day  of  his  coronation,  James  committed  what,  in  Soman  Catholic  estima- 
tion, was  little  short  of  an  act  of  apostasy.  He  made  an  oblation  on  the 
altar,  joined  in  the  litany  as  chanted  by  the  bishops,  received  the  unction 
typical  of  divine  influence,  and  knelt  with  the  semblance  of  devotion, 
while  that  society  of  heretics  (as  he  believed  the  Church  of  England  to 
be)  called  down  upon  him  the  Holy  Spirit,  of  which  they  were  in  his 
opinion  the  malignant  and  obstinate  foes. 

The  inconsistencies  of  James  II.  furnish  a  key  to  the  succession  of  dis- 
asters which  befell  New  York.  He  was  quite  another  person  from  what 
he  had  been  as  Duke  of  York.  Not  less  active,  if  possible  more  industri- 
ous, and  equally  disposed  to  manage  and  control ;  but  his  interests  were 
divided,  and  despotism  appeared  in  the  ascendant.  The  first  time  after 
his  accession  that  the  affairs  of  New  York  were  discussed,  he  presided  in 
person  over  the  Plantation  Committee.  He  re-examined  the  Charter  of 
Privileges,  which  he  had  sealed  but  never  delivered  to  New  York  City, 
and  discovered  that  it  was  too  liberal  in  its  construction.  He  declined 
to  confirm  it,  because  it  tended  towards  an  abridgment  of  his  power ; 
although  it  was  in  force  until  such  time  as  he  should  see  fit  to .  commu- 
nicate his  disapproval  to  Dongan.  He  thought  it  would  be  well  to 
consolidate  New  York  and  New  England  under  one  government,  and  a 
constitution  was  discussed,  although  not  acted  upon  at  that  time. 

A  letter  bearing  his  royal  signature  directed  that  all  men  in  office  in 
New  York  should  so  continue  untd  further  orders.    It  contained 

March  3. 

no  allusion  to  an  Assembly,  which  accordingly  was  called  in  Octo- 
ber, and  William  Pinhorne  was  chosen  speaker.    But  it  was  the 
last  representative  body  permitted  to  New  York,  or  indeed  to  any  of  the 
American  colonies,  during  the  reign  of  James  II.    It  accomplished  very 
little  business  of  importance.    Immediately  after  its  adjournment,  a  day 
of  thanksgiving  was  proclaimed  by  the  governor,  for  the  king's 
victory  over  the  rebels  under  Argyll  and  Monmouth. 

In  1685,  Nicholas  Bayard  was  the  mayor  of  the  city  and  also  one  of 
Dongan's  council.  James  Graham  was  appointed  attorney-general  of 
the  province,  and  Isaac  Swinton  was  made  clerk  in  chancery.  About 

this  time,  Collector  Santen  proved  unfaithful  to  his  trust,  and  was  ordered 
20 


316 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  XEW  YORK. 


before  the  governor  and  council  with  his  books  and  accounts,  which  were 
rigidly  examined.  He  was  a  hypochondriac,  subject  to  fits,  careless  in 
his  business  habits,  boundlessly  arrogant,  and  extremely  violent  in  tem- 
per. He  was  testy  about  explanations  and  was  severely  reprimanded. 
He  was  allowed  to  execute  the  duties  of  his  office  a  short  time  longer  \ 
but  charges  accumulated  against  him,  and  he  was  finally  suspended, 
arrested,  and  sent  to  England.  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  and  James 
Graham  were  appointed  to  manage  the  king's  revenue  until  further 
orders.  Dongan  wrote  to  James,  asking  the  privilege  of  naming  a  collec- 
tor from  among  the  old  residents  of  the  city,  "  because,"  said  he,  "  those 
who  are  sent  over  for  the  purpose  expect  to  run  suddenly  into  great 
estate." 

It  was  found  necessary  to  establish  a  Court  of  Exchequer,  to  be  held  in 
the  city  of  New  York  on  the  first  Monday  in  each  month,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  determining  royal  revenue  cases.  There  was  great  hazard  in 
leaving  such  questions  to  country  juries,  who  were  ignorant,  and  gener- 
ally linked  together  by  affinity  or  swayed  by  particular  humors  and  inter- 
ests. Dyer,  who  was  now  Surveyor-General  of  the  customs  in  America, 
complained  that  the  juries  in  New  Jersey  found  verdicts  in  opposition  to 
the  most  undoubted  facts.  He  also  wrote  to  the  Plantation  Committee  in 
regard  to  the  mixed  condition  of  affairs  in  the  whole  revenue  department. 

When  James  found  breathing  space  amid  the  putting  down  of  the  vari- 
ous rebellions  which  menaced  his  throne,  he  gave  attention  to  his  Ameri- 
can affairs.  A  temporary  government  was  arranged  for  Massachusetts, 
and  Joseph  Dudley,1  for  whose  loyalty  Dongan  vouched,  was  appointed 
president  over  seventeen  counselors.  The  case  of  William  Penn  and 
Lord  Baltimore  was  next  in  order.  The  rival  claimants  were  politically 
equal,  one  being  a  Koman  Catholic  and  the  other  a  Quaker,  and  their 
territorial  dispute  was  settled  as  impartially  as  possible  under  the  circum- 
stances. It  was  decided  that  Delaware  did  not  form  a  part  of  Maryland ; 
and  the  boundary  between  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  was  run  from 
Delaware  westward  by  Charles  Mason  and  Jeremiah  Dixon,  and  has  ever 
since  been  known  as  "  Mason  and  Dixon's  Line." 

James  regarded  t  he  Quakers  with  a  feeling  akin  to  tenderness  ;  partly 
because  they  had  never  been  implicated  in  any  conspiracy  against  the 

1  Joseph  Dudley  was  the  son  of  Governor  Thomas  Dudley  of  Massachusetts.  He  was  born 
in  1647  ;  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1665  ;  was  agent  of  Massachusetts  in  England  in  1682  ; 
president  in  1685  ;  one  of  Andros's  council  in  1689  ;  one  of  Governor  Sloughter's  council,  and 
Chief  Justice  of  New  York  in  1691.  In  the  latter  capacity,  he  tried  and  condomned  Leisler. 
He  was  afterwards  member  of  the  British  Parliament,  lieutenant-governor  of  the  Isle  of 
Wight,  and,  from  1702  to  1715,  governor  of  Massachusetts.  He  died  in  1720.  HiUchisson's 
Mass.,  II.  193. 


WILLIAM  PENN'S  INFLUENCE  AT  COURT.  317 


government,  but  more  particularly  as  the  direct  result  of  a  potent  advo- 
cacy at  court.  William  Penn  lived  in  the  highest  circles  and  had  con- 
stant access  to  the  royal  ear.  His  father  had  held  various  positions,  of 
honor,  had  sat  in  Parliament,  and  had  been  knighted.  The  son  had  a 
high  reputation  and  many  virtues.  He  was  every  day  summoned  from 
the  gallery  into  the  closet,  and  spent  hours  with  the  king,  whde  many  a 
peer  was  kept  waiting  in  the  antechamber.  His  integrity  was  not  en- 
tirely proof  against  the  temptations  of  that  polite  but  deeply  corrupted 
court,  where  intrigues  of  one  sort  and  another  were  constantly  fermenting. 
His  own  sect  grew  suspicious  of  him,  notwithstanding  that  they  received 
indulgences  similar  to  those  granted  to  the  Eoman  Catholics,  while  the 
intermediate  or  Puritan  order  of  religionists  were  suffering  beyond  meas- 
ure. On  one  occasion,  a  list  of  Quakers  against  whom  proceedings  had 
been  instituted  for  not  taking  the  oaths  and  for  not  going  to  church  was 
made  out,  and  every  individual  of  them  discharged.  It  was  generally 
remarked  that  William  Penn  had  more  power  at  Whitehall  than  any  of 
the  nobles.  It  is  quite  apparent  that  he  knew  how  to  influence  James  to 
his  own  private  advantage,  for  when  the  plan  was  matured  for  consoli- 
dating the  colonies  in  America,  Pennsylvania  alone  escaped  the  forfeiture 
of  her  charter.  Printing  was  also  permitted  in  that  province  at  a  time 
when  freedom  of  type  was  by  no  means  a  popular  idea  in  high  cir- 
cles. William  Bradford,  a  young  man  of  twenty-two,  a  namesake  Aug'  6' 
and  favorite  of  William  Penn,  who  had  been  apprenticed  to  a  Quaker 
printer  in  London  and  had  married  his  daughter,  was  allowed  to  set  up  a 
printing-press  in  Philadelphia.  His  first  work  was  an  almanac  for  the 
year  1686,  which  is  at  this  date  (1876)  a  very  unicpie  and  interesting- 
curiosity.  Hitherto,  the  only  printing-press  in  the  English  colonies  had 
been  in  Massachusetts  and  under  Puritan  censorship. 

The  year  1686  was  distinguished  by  the  granting  of  the  "  Dongan 
Charter  "  to  the  city  of  New  York.  It  was  drafted  by  Mayor 
Nicholas  Bayard  and  Eecorder  James  Graham,  and  was  one  of 
the  most  liberal  ever  bestowed  upon  a  colonial  city.  By  it  sources  of 
immediate  income  became  vested  in  the  corporation.  Subsequent  char- 
ters added  nothing  to  the  city  property,  save  in  the  matter  of  ferry 
rights,  in  immediate  reference  to  which  the  charters  of  1708  and  1730 
were  obtained. 

The  Dongan  charter  confirmed  all  former  "  rights  and  privileges,"  and 
conveyed  specifically  to  the  corporation  the  City  Hall,  the  two  market- 
houses,  the  bridge  into  the  dock,  the  great  dock  and  wharf  connected 
therewith,  the  new  burial-ground,  the  ferry,  and  the  waste,  vacant,  un- 
patented lands  on  Manhattan  Island  reaching  to  low-water  mark,  together 


318 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


with  the  rivers,  rivulets,  coves,  creeks,  ponds,  waters,  and  water-courses 
not  before  mentioned.1 

It  is  an  interesting  document  and  is  recited  at  large  in  the  charter  of 
1730.  It  is  the  more  remarkable  from  the  fact,  that,  at  the  very  moment 
of  its  creation,  James  and  his  ministers  were  waging  war  against  all 
chartered  rights  and  privileges  throughout  the  British  dominions.  The 
marked  partiality  thus  displayed  for  New  York  may  be  imputed  more  to 
the  personal  character  and  influence  of  Dongau,  and  the  spirit  and  far- 
sighted  intelligence  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  metropolis,  than  to  any 
private  preference  on  the  part  of  the  king.  The  instrument  was  the 
basis  of  a  plan  of  government  for  a  great  city.  It  was  cautiously  worded, 
and  shows  that  the  minds  in  which  it  originated  were  possessed  of  a 
broad  and  enlightened  sense  of  the  sanctity  of  corporate  and  private 
rights,  and  by  no  means  disposed  to  neglect  provident  guards  for  their 
security.  It  is  in  itself  an  ample  foundation,  and  we  shall  see  how  it  was 
built  upon  as  exigencies  demanded. 

Before  the  end  of  the  year,  a  new  city  seal  was  presented  to  New 
York.  It  was  richer  and  more  elaborate  than  the  old  Dutch  city  seal  ; 
but  it  preserved  the  beaver,  with  the  addition  of  a  flour-barrel,  and  the 
arms  of  a  wind-mill,  signifying  the  prevailing  commerce  and  industry. 
The  whole  was  supported  by  two  Indian  chiefs,  and  encircled  by  a  wreath 
of  laurel,  the  motto  being,  Sigillum  civitatis  Novi  Eboraci. 

Soon  after  signing  the  metropolitan  charter,  Dongan  went  up  to 
Albany,  and  executed  a  charter  agreed  upon  between  himself  and 
y"  the  magistrates  of  that  city,  giving  the  corporation  large  fran- 
chises, including  the  management  of  the  Indian  trade.  He  appointed 
Peter  Schuyler  its  first  mayor;  Isaac  Swinton,  recorder;  anil  Robert 
Livingston,  city  clerk  and  sub-collector  of  the  king's  revenues  at  thai 
place.  The  aldermen  and  assistants  were  to  be  chosen  annually  by  the 
inhabitants  on  the  Feast  of  Saint  Michael,  the  29th  of  September. 

Livingston  discovered  the  peculiar  value  of  the  lands  south  of  Van 
Rensselaer's  property,  which  had  never  yet  been  granted  by  the  govern- 
ment to  any  one,  and  entered  into  negotiations  with  the  Indians  for  their 
purchase.  They  conveyed  to  him,  July  12,  1683,  just  prior  to  his  mar- 
riage with  Alida,  the  widow  of  Rev.  Nicolaus  Van  Rensselaer,  two  thou- 
sand acres  on  Roelof  Jansen's  Kill.  The  deed  was  executed  by  two 
Indians  and  two  squaws.  The  payment  consisted  of  "  three  hundred 
guilders  in  sewan,  eight  blankets  and  two  children's  blankets,  five  and 

1  Col.  Doc.,  III.  360-495  ;  IV.  812  ;  V.  369.  Council  Minutes,  V.  155.  Minutes  of  Com- 
mon Council,  I.  272-300.  Valentine,  Man.  1844,  318  ;  1858,  13-24.  Booth's  Hist.  N.  Y., 
Airtttjudlx.    Dunlap,  II.  Appendix.    Patents,  V.  381  -  406.    Kent's  Book  of  Cluirtcrs,  210. 


THE  LIVINGSTON  MANOR. 


319 


twenty  ells  of  duffels,  and  four  garments  of  strouds,  ten  large  shirts  and 
ten  small  shirts,  ten  pairs  of  large  stockings  and  ten  small  pairs,  six  guns, 
fifty  pounds  of  powder,  fifty  staves  of  lead,  four  caps,  ten  kettles,  ten 
axes,  ten  adzes,  two  pounds  of  paint,  twenty  little  scissors,  twenty  little 
looking-glasses,  one  hundred  fish-hooks,  awls  and  nails  of  each  one  hun- 
dred, four  rolls  of  tobacco,  one  hundred  pipes,  ten  bottles,  three  kegs  of 
rum,  one  barrel  of  strong  beer,  twenty  knives,  four  stroud  coats,  two 
duffel  coats  and  four  tin  kettles." 

During  the  next  two  years,  Livingston  secured  the  Indian  title  to,  in 
all,  one  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  acres  of  the  finest  land  on  the  Hud- 
son, and  in  the  midst  of  scenery  unsurpassed  by  any  in  Europe.  He 
then  obtained  from  Dongan  a  patent,  with  manorial  privileges,  dated 
July  22,  1685 ;  and  this  grant  was  confirmed  by  royal  authority  in  1715, 
with  the  additional  privilege  of  electing  a  representative  to  the  General 
Assembly. 

Thus  Livingston  was  one  of  the  largest  landholders  in  New  York. 
His  manor  was  not,  however,  as  rich  and  valuable  as  that  of  Van  Rens- 
selaer. It  belonged  strictly  to  that  class  of  institutions  called  close 
boroughs,  which  necessarily  gave  way  before  the  ecpaalizing  influences  of 
republicanism.  The  manor-house  which  he  built  on  the  Hudson,  forty 
miles  south  of  Albany,  was  for  several  generations  the  seat  of  a  princely 
hospitality.  The  governors  of  the  province  were  always  entertained 
there  on  their  trips  up  and  down  the  river  ;  and  every  foreigner  of  dis- 
tinction who  visited  this  country  was  cordially  welcomed  within  its 
walls. 

Philip  Livingston, 
the  eldest  son  of 
Robert,  and  heir  to 
this  great  manorial 
estate,  was  born  at 
Albany  in  1686.  He 
was  unlike  his  fa- 
ther in  many  re- 
spects, —  was  less 
bold,  less  subtle,  less 
]ici\severing,  less  of 
financier,  and  a  much 
handsomer  man.  In 
his  youthful  days, 
he  was  dashing  and 

gay ;  he  had  a  winniug  manner  with  women,  and  weut  about  breaking 


Clermont.   The  Lower  Manor  House. 


320 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


hearts  promiscuously.  Iu  the  course  of  time,  however,  he  wedded  Cath- 
arine, the  pretty  daughter  of  Peter  Vau  Brugh  of  Albany  He  was  by  no 
means  destitute  of  rank  and  consequence.  He  was,  for  several  years, 
deputy  agent  of  Indian  affairs  under  his  father,  and,  from  1722,  sole 
secretary.  He  was  at  the  taking  of  Port  Royal  in  1710  ;  a  colonel  of 
militia,  a  member  of  the  Assembly,  and,  for  many  years,  one  of  the  gov- 
ernor's council.    He  lived  in  a  style  of  courtly  magnificence. 

He  Was  the  eldest  of  five  sons  and  four  daughters.  Two  of  the  sons 
and  two  of  the  daughters  died  unmarried  ;  but  he,  with  his  two  brothers, 
Eobert  and  Gilbert,  survived  to  a  good  old  age.  Robert,  the  second  sou, 
received  from  his  father  thirteen  thousand  acres  of  the  main  estate,  as  a 
special  reward  for  having  discovered  and  frustrated  an  Indian  plot.  This 
formed  the  lower  manor  of  Clermont.  A  large  stone  house  was  built 
upon  it,  which,  towards  the  close  of  his  life,  he  gave  to  his  son  Judge 
Robert  R.  Livingston,  the  father  of  Chancellor  Livingston.  Gilbert  re- 
ceived a  large  estate  near  Saratoga,  and  married  Cornelia  Beekman.  He 
was  the  ancestor  of  a  large  family,  among  whom  was  Rev.  John  R.  Liv- 
ingston, the  celebrated  divine. 


Livingston  Manor  House  in  1876. 


[Robert,  eldest  son  of  Philip,  and  third  lord  of  the  manor,  divided  the  estate  (in  17S4)  equally  between 
his  four  sons.  Walter  subsequently  conveyed  his  portion  of  the  manor  to  his  brother  Henry,  who 
built  the  present  structure.] 


CATHOLICISM  IN  NEW  YORK. 


321 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


1686-1689. 


EFFECTS  OF  THE  MEASURES  OF  JAMES  II. 


Catholicism  in  New  York.  —  Absurd  Alarms.  —  Persecution  in  France.  —  The 
Assembly  abolished  in  New  York.  —  Sir  Edmund  Andros  in  Boston.  —  Connecti- 
cut and  her  two  Wooers.  —  Connecticut  loses  her  Charter.  —  The  Post-Route. 
—  Governor  Dongan  a  Statesman.  — Albany  in  Danger.  — The  Engwsh,  French, 
and  Iroquois.  — Consolidation  of  the  Colonies.  — New  York  swallowed  by  New 
England.  —  Sir  Edmund  Andros.  —  The  Exiled  Huguenots.  —  Extraordinary 
Acts  of  James  II. — The  Seven  Bishops. — Birth  of  the  Prince  of  Wales. — 
Mary,  Princess  of  Orange. — The  Character  of  William  III. — The  Political 
Marriage.  —  A  Domestic  Romance. — William's  Purposes. — William's  Expedi- 
tion to  England. — Revolution  in  England. — The  King's  Despair. — Abdica- 
tion of  the  Throne  by  James  II.  — William's  Reception  in  London.  —  William 
and  Mary  crowned  Sovereigns  of  England. 

T~T  would  seem  as  if  the  whole  world  was  iust  at  this  moment  in  a 


1  religious  ferment.  The  revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes,  in  1685, 
caused  a  simultaneous  cry  of  grief  and  rage  through  the  whole  of 

1686. 

Protestant  Europe.  The  courts  of  Spain  and  Eome,  not  usually 
backward  in  applauding  a  vigorous  war  upon  heresy,  were  amazed  at  the 
injustice  of  the  French  king,  and  took  the  side  of  religious  liberty.  Eng- 
land was  filled  with  dismay.  She  began  immediately  to  scrutinize  the 
recent  acts  of  her  own  king.  He  had  ordered  the  organization  of  a  large 
military  force,  and,  in  defiance  of  the  law,  had  officered  it  chiefly  with 
Roman  Catholics.  Why  might  it  not  be  employed  in  England  for  the 
same  wretched  work  which  the  dragoons  of  Louis  had  performed  in 
France  ?  James  had  publicly  promised  to  respect  the  privileges  of  his 
Protestant  subjects  ;  but  had  not  Louis  in  like  manner  pledged  himself  ? 
Was  there,  after  all,  any  reliance  to  be  placed  upon  kings  ? 

New  York  caught  the  alarm,  and  suffered,  as  a  feeble  child,  much 
more  severely  than  its  parent.  The  rumor  was  started  that  James  had 
communicated  to  Governor  Dongan  an  intention  to  establish  the  Roman 
Catholic  religion  there.    A  new  Latin  teacher  who  was  said  to  be  a  Jesuit 

21 


322 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


having  been  employed  in  the  school,  many  of  the  children  were  hastily 
removed,  and  some  of  them  sent  to  the  New  England  schools.  The 
Catholic  officers  of  the  government  were  watched  with  jealous  eyes, 
and  every  movement  of  the  governor  was  criticised.  All  confidence  in 
rulers  seemed  to  be  fast  fading  away.  A  gentleman  from  London  arrived 
about  this  time  and  was  hospitably  entertained  by  Governor  Dongan. 
The  two  appeared  together  on  the  streets,  and  dined  with  Frederick 
Philipse  and  with  Nicholas  Bayard.  It  was  absurdly  reported  that  the 
strange  guest  was  a  Catholic  priest  in  disguise,  sent  over  on  private  busi- 
ness by  the  king ;  and  the  rumor,  fostered  by  that  kindly  entertainment 
always  furnished  in  such  cases  by  small  communities,  speedily  assumed 
the  importance  of  an  acknowledged  fact.  If  James  himself  was  consti- 
tutionally treacherous,  how  could  any  member  of  his  church  be  trusted  ? 
What  sense  was  there  in  calling  a  monarch  who  rejected  the  English  com- 
munion "  the  Defender  of  the  Faith  "  of  the  Episcopalians  !  Supposing 
that  he  did  wear  a  crown  which  he  owed  to  the  Anglican  clergy,  and 
that  every  tie  of  gratitude  and  decency  bound  him  to  their  support,  it  was 
clear  that  he  only  waited  for  some  plausible  excuse  to  trample  them 
all  under  his  feet. 

Meanwhile  James  publicly  expressed  disapproval,  and  was  really  at 
heart  distressed  by  the  outrages  which  Louis  was  visiting  upon  the 
Huguenots.  Men  and  women  of  all  classes  were  stripped  of  their  pus- 
sessions,  hunted  from  place  to  place  without  sleep  and  without  food,  and 
subjected  to  the  most  violent  persecution  ever  recorded  upon  the  pages 
of  history.  Men  in  power  even  set  themselves  at  work  to  invent  new 
methods  of  cruelty.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  fury  of  the  inquisitors. 
Such  of  the  persecuted  as  attempted  to  escape  were  seized,  the  men  com- 
mitted to  the  galleys,  and  the  women  immured  in  nunneries,  where  they 
were  starved,  whipped,  and  otherwise  barbarously  treated.  Those  who 
died  were  denied  burial.  And  yet  thousands  upon  thousands  succeeded 
in  escaping;  the  best  blood  of  France  was  on  the  wing  ;  persons  of  great 
fame  in  war,  in  letters,  in  the  arts,  and  in  the  sciences,  dressed  like  the 
humblest  peasants,  wandered  from  place  to  place,  engaging  in  the 
most  menial  occupations,  until  ingenuity  could  devise  some  method  of 
crossing  the  frontiers.  Many  reached  England,  and  James  assisted  them 
from  his  own  private  purse.  He  did  not  like  to  have  it  appear  that 
Catholics  were  intolerant.  All  this  came  upon  him  just  as  he  had  made 
up  his  mind  to  ask  of  his  Protestant  Parliament  the  fullest  toleration  for 
Roman  Catholics  in  England. 

June  3  ^ea  °'  consfui(^a^i°n  f°r  the  purpose  of  bringing  New 

England  under  the  direct  authority  of  the  crown  was  fully  ma- 


SIB  EDMUND  AND  BOS  IN  BOSTON. 


323 


tured  in  the  spring  of  1686.  Sir  Edmund  Andros  was  finally  commis- 
sioned to  the  supreme  command,  and  the  former  provisional  appointment 
was  revoked.  He  was  empowered  to  make  laws,  levy  taxes,  regulate 
finances,  and  control  the  militia.  Humanity  and  severity  were  mingled 
in  his  instructions.  Liberty  of  conscience  was  particularly  enjoined  ;  but 
printing-presses  were  forbidden,  except  by  special  license.  Whole  pages 
were  devoted  to  the  rights  of  the  governed ;  but  assemblies  were  pro- 
hibited, on  account  of  the  dangerous  power  which  they  invested  in  the 
people.  The  great  seal  for  New  England  was  adorned  with  the  remarka- 
ble motto,  "  Nunquam  libertas  gratior  extat,"  —  Liberty  is  never  more 
agreeable  —  than  under  a  pious  king  ! 

A  similar  commission  was  prepared  for  Dongan,  and  by  it  the  Charter 
of  Franchises,  which  had  been  so  dear  to  New  York,  was  made 
void.  Dongan  was  ordered  to  resume  the  powers  of  law-making 
and  tax-gathering.  He  was  also  directed  to  swear  into  his  service,  as 
counselors,  Frederick  Philipse,  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  Nicholas  Bay- 
ard, Anthony  Brockholls,  Lucas  Stanten,  John  Spragg,  Jervis  Baxter,  and 
John  Younge.  These  gentlemen  were  all  well  and  favorably  known  at 
Whitehall,  and  their  eligibility  had  been  fully  discussed  in  the  Planta- 
tion Committee  at  one  of  its  meetings  over  which  the  king  in  person 
presided. 

In  December  (1686),  Andros  reached  Boston,  "glittering  in  scarlet  and 
lace,"  according  to  the  discontented  Puritans,  who  looked  gloomily 

D6C.  19. 

on  while  his  Irish  soldiers,  under  Lieutenant-Governor  Nicholson, 
marched  through  the  streets  in  brilliant  uniform,  with  gay  music  and 
banners  floating  in  the  breeze.  The  free-and-easy  manner  of  the  new- 
comers was  in  the  highest  degree  repulsive  to  the  people.  The  stiff  and 
formal  bigots  of  Massachusetts,  who  had  persecuted  even  to  banishment 
and  death  every  man  and  woman  presuming  to  hold  religious  opinions 
different  from  their  own,  accused  Andros  of  papacy,  and  turned  upon  him 
the  concentrated  strength  of  a  long-cherished  hatred.  Their  precious 
charter  had  been  vacated,  and  his  personal  rule  had  been  bestowed  upon 
them  in  its  stead.  Had  he  been  an  angel  from  Heaven,  under  the  circum- 
stances, he  would  hardly  have  pleased  them.  His  soldierly  bearing  and 
administration  were,  according  to  their  ideas,  overbearing  and  oppressive ; 
and  when  he  was  sharp,  quick,  and  decisive  in  his  measures,  they  called 
him  "  the  arbitrary  and  sycophantic  tool  of  a  despotic  king."  It  is  doubt- 
ful whether  moderation  on  his  part  would  not  have  given  even  greater 
offense. 

Joseph  Dudley,  the  president  of  the  board  which  had  temporarily  ad- 
ministered the  government,  was  appointed  Chief  Justice  of  New  England. 


324 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


William  Stoughton  and  Peter  Bulkley  were  made  associate  judges,  and 
George  Farwell,  from  New  York,  was  the  attorney-general.  John  West 
resigned  his  offices  under  Dongan,  and  removed  to  Boston,  where  he  was 
made  Secretary  of  New  England. 

One  of  the  first  acts  of  Andros  was  to  rebuke  Hinckley,  the  late  gov- 
ernor of  Plymouth,  for  intolerance,  in  seizing  the  property  of  Quakers  for 
the  support  of  other  sectarian  ministers.  Indeed,  the  statesmanship  of 
Andros  was  more  tolerant  and  just,  and  provided  more  generally  for  the 
happiness  and  prosperity  of  all  classes  of  inhabitants,  than  that  which  it 
superseded.  He  was  fearless  and  unconcerned  in  regard  to  the  public 
temper,  and  made  and  executed  laws  which  indicate  a  profound  regard 
for  the  good  of  the  province. 

Connecticut,  at  that  period,  had  two  wooers,  New  York  and  Boston. 
Dongan  wrote  an  eloquent  letter  to  the  king,  recommending  the  annexa- 
tion of  Connecticut  to  New  York,  and  suggesting  that  Pemaquid,  which 
was  troublesome  and  expensive,  from  being  so  distant,  might  be  given  to 
New  England  as  an  equivalent.  Andros,  wiser  as  to  the  king's  intentions, 
was  trying  to  induce  Connecticut  to  come  peaceably  under  his  authority. 
Some  very  curious  intercolonial  intrigues  followed.  Connecticut  coquet- 
ted ;  giving  New  York  to  understand  that  it  would  be  more  agreeable  to 
tend  westward  than  toward  the  east,  and  allowing  Boston  meanwhile 
to  kiss  her  hand.  Andros  treated  Dongan  with  extreme  official  reserve, 
keeping  him  in  the  dark  in  regard  to  the  true  situation  of  affairs,  and, 
with  some  show  of  haughtiness,  communicated  an  order  for  the  surrender 
of  Pemaquid,  which  was  promptly  and  cheerfully  obeyed. 

In  the  course  of  events,  definite  instructions  reached  Andros  to  demand 
1687.  *ne  caai>ters  °f  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut.  He  set  out  at 
Oct.  22.  once  to  visit  the  two  provinces,  accompanied  by  several  of  the 
0ct' 31'  gentlemen  of  his  council,  with  an  escort  of  sixty  soldiers.  He 
was  received  in  Hartford  with  distinguished  ceremony.  The  General 
Court  was  in  session,  that  same  evening.  Andros  appeared,  leaning  upon 
the  arm  of  Governor  Treat,  and  publicly  explained  the  king's  policy  in 
bringing  his  colonies  under  a  single  government,  that  they  might  the 
betfer  defend  themselves  against  invasion.  Tradition  says  that  Treat 
remonstrated  against  the  surrender  of  the  charter,  and  that  just  as  Andros 
had  secured  one  of  the  copies  of  the  instrument,  the  lights  were  suddenly 
extinguished,  and  Joseph  Wardsworth  escaped  from  the  hall  and  secretly 
hid  the  duplicate  copy  in  a  hollow  tree,  which  was  ever  after  known  as 
the  "  Charter  Oak."  The  authenticity  of  this  story  is  severely  questioned, 
since  neither  by  contemporary  writers,  nor  in  the  records  of  the  colony, 
which  were  closed  in  the  handwriting  of  Secretary  Allyn,  is  there  any 


GOVERNOR  DONG  AN  A  STATESMAN 


325 


allusion  to  such  an  occurrence.  The  next  morning,  Andros  was  con- 
ducted in  state  to  the  court-house,  where  his  commission  was 

Nov.  1 

read,  and  Governor  Treat  and  Secretary  Allyn  were  sworn  into 
office  as  his  counselors.  Royal  courts  were  established,  and  the  dominion 
of  James  rendered  supreme  over  the  land  of  steady  habits.1  Andros  then 
proceeded  to  New  London,  and  to  Newport.  The  .old  seal  of  Rhode 
Island  was  broken  and  the  new  authority  set  up.  Shortly  after,  a  post- 
route  between  Boston  and  Stamford,  on  the  border  of  New  York,  which 
had  been  originally  suggested  by  Lovelace  and  encouraged  by  Dongan, 
was  established,  and  John  Perry,  as  the  deputy  of  the  provincial  post- 
master Randolph,  was  appointed  to  carry  a  monthly  mail. 

Dongan  identified  himself  more  and  more,  as  time  rolled  on,  with  the 
state  affairs  of  New  York.  He  learned  that  the  French  in  Canada 
were  upon  the  eve  of  attacking  the  Iroquois  warriors,  and  made  a  vigor- 
ous effort  to  prevent  mischief  in  that  quarter.  He  finally  decided  to 
spend  the  winter  in  Albany,  the  more  readily  to  influence  the  Indians  in 
favor  of  peace  with  their  Canadian  neighbors.  His  able  and  earnest  let- 
ters to  James,  descriptive  of  the  attitude  of  the  belligerents,  induced 
the  British  ministers  to  propose  the  Treaty  of  Neutrality  with  France, 
which  was  to  be  observed  by  the  American  subjects  of  both  powers. 
Chancellor  Jeffreys,  with  Barrillon,  the  French  minister,  arranged  the 
details,  and  it  was  agreed,  that  notwithstanding  any  breach  which  might 
occur  between  the  two  sovereigns,  absolute  peace  and  neutrality  should 
be  maintained  between  their  subjects  in  America ;  and  that  neither 
colonial  power  should,  in  any  instance,  assist  the  "  wild  Indians  "  with 
whom  the  other  might  be  at  war. 

Although  no  mention  of  the  Iroquois  was  made  in  the  treaty,  Dongan 
assumed  that  they  were  British  subjects,  and  governed  himself  accord- 
ingly. The  governor  of  Canada  accused  him  of  duplicity  in  permitting 
New  York  traders  to  go  among  these  savages,  and  complained  that  he 
had  broken  the  Treaty  of  Neutrality  by  advising  and  protecting  them  ; 
and  finally,  he  maintained  with  boldness,  the  right  of  the  French  to 
sovereignty  over  the  Iroquois. 

Before  going  to  Albany,  Dongan  empowered  Brockholls  to  sign  war- 
rants, papers,  and  licenses,  and  to  attend  to  other  public  business  which 
usually  devolved  upon  the  governor.    He  appointed  Stephanus  ggpt  2Q 
Van  Cortlandt  mayor  of  the  city  in  place  of  Nicholas  Bayard, 
and  Judge  James  Graham  counselor  in  place  of  John  Younge,  who  0ct  8- 

1  Brodhead,  II.  472,  473.  Palfrey,  III.  541,  542.  Col.  Rec.  Conn.,  III.  248,  249,  386- 
390.  Annals,  I.  298,  306.  Trumbull,  I.  371,  372.  Holmes,  1.421.  Col.  Doc,  III.  429, 
511.    Arnold,  I.  504,  506.    Forces  Tracts,  IV.  No.  9,  pp.  47,  48.    Bancroft,  II.  430. 


326 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Oct.  11. 


was  not  only  very  old,  but  lived  at  the  east  end  of  Long  Island,  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  miles  from  the  city  and  fort.  He  reappointed  Peter 
Schuyler  mayor  of  Albany ;  and  confirmed  prior  legislation  by 
ordering  in  councd  that  certain  Spanish  Indians,  who  had  been  brought 
from  Campeachy,  in  Mexico,  and  sold  as  slaves,  should  be  set  free. 

Albany  was  fortified  as  far  as  possible  ;  for  a  party  of  Mohawks  and 
Mohicans,  exasper- 


Oct.  24. 


ated  against  the 
French  in  Canada,  had  be- 
sieged Fort  Chambly,  burned 
houses,  killed  several  men, 
and  taken  a  large  number  of 
prisoners  ;  and  a  storm  might 
burst  upon  the  English  set- 
tlements at  any  moment. 
Dongan  called  upon  his 
council  in  New  York  to 
consider  ways  and  means  to 

defray   the    expenses    which  Governor  Dongan's  House. 

the  French  movements  were  causing  the  province  ;  but  they  answered  in 
effect  that  New  York  was  not  able  to  bear  so  great  a  burden  alone,  and 
that  the  neighboring  colonies  should  be  invited  to  contribute.  The 
aeighboring  colonies  were  invited,  but  found  it  "inconvenient"  to  fur- 
nish any  special  aid.  Andros  offered  a  few  men  from  New  England,  but 
no  money.  Pennsylvania  withheld  and  Maryland  refused  help.  Virginia 
was  not  disposed  to  contribute ;  but  her  governor,  Lord  Effingham,  sent 
Dongan  five  hundred  pounds.  New  Jersey,  anxious  to  stand  well  with 
the  king,  voted  a  tax  for  the  benefit  of  New  York,  which  was  never 
levied.  Dongan  pledged  his  personal  credit,  and  even  mortgaged  his 
farm  on  Staten  Island,  to  borrow  of  Robert  Livingston  two  thousand 
or  more  pounds  for  the  use  of  the  government. 

Judge  Palmer  went  to  London  during  the  autumn,  bearing  dispatches) 
from  Dongan,  which  convinced  James  that  the  Treaty  of  Neutrality  was 
not  favorable  to  English  interests.  It  had  given  to  Louis  a  positive 
advantage.  The  Five  Nations  sent  a  touching  appeal  to  the  "Great 
Sachem  beyond  the  Great  Lake,"  for  protection  against  their  enemies ; 
and  this  brought  to  a  crisis  the  question  of  European  sovereignty  over 
the  I?oquoiB.  The  king  at  once  ordered  Dongan  to  demand  from  the  gov- 
ernor of  Canada  all  British  prisoners,  and  to  build  necessary  forts, 
employ  militia,  and  defend  those  Indians  against  the  Canadians. 

Louis  attempted  to  argue  his  claim,  and  insisted  that  the  Iroquois  had 


CONSOLIDATION  OF  THE  COLONIES.  327 


acknowledged  French  sovereignty  since  1665.    He  complained  also  of 
Dongan's  arrogance,  "  novel  pretensions,"  and  "  dishonorable  treat- 
ment " ;  but,  in  the  end,  an  agreement  was  signed,  that,  until  the 
first  day  of  January,  1689,  and  afterward,  no  English  or  French  com- 
mander in  America  should  invade  or  commit  any  act  of  hostility  against 
the  territories  of  either  king. 

New  France,  with  her  undefined  territory,  had  the  strength  of  union, 
while  New  England,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  and  Pennsylvania  were  dis- 
tinct and  inharmonious.  James,  who  took  a  lively  personal  inter- 
est in  the  details  of  his  administration,  resolved  to  unite  his  colo-  1688' 
nies  under  one  vice-regal  government.  "  I  will  make  them  a  tower  of 
iron,"  he  said.  He  accordingly  decreed  that  all  his  American  possessions 
north  of  the  fortieth  degree  of  latitude,  stretching  across  the  continent 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  should  be  consolidated  into  one  great 
political  whole,  to  be  called  New  England.1  Pennsylvania  was  to  be  the 
solitary  exception,  as  he  could  not  afford  to  offend  so  useful  a  favorite  as 
William  Penn  by  the  withdrawal  of  his  charter. 

As  New  England  was  henceforth  to  be  governed  by  a  single  viceroy, 
either  Dongan  or  Andros  must  be  displaced.  Both  had  been  twice  com- 
missioned by  his  Majesty.  Andros  had  the  larger  experience,  and  ex- 
celled in  executive  talent.  He  was  administering  his  trust  to  the  entire 
satisfaction  of  James  and  his  ministers,  and  it  was  thought  best  to  retain 
him.  On  the  other  hand,  Dongan  was  as  good  a  soldier  as  Andros,  with 
more  independence  of  character.  He  had  not  hesitated  to  foil  and  em- 
bitter Penn,  nor  to  anger  Perth  and  Melfort,  in  the  king's  behalf.  His 
policy  and  firmness  had  preserved  Northern  New  York  to  the  English,  in 
spite  of  the  French  king  and  his  shrewd  maneuvers.  He  had  given, 
indeed,  more  advice  and  shown  more  official  zeal  than  was  agreeable  to 
the  politicians  at  Whitehall.  He  was  offered  the  command  of  a 
regiment,  with  the  rank  of  major-general  of  artillery  in  the  Brit- 
ish army,  but  saw  fit  to  decline  the  honor.  Andros  received  his  appoint- 
ment, and  hastened  to  assume  almost  imperial  command  over  the  province 
which  he  had  left  seven  years  before,  and  which,  in  the  interval,  had 
gained  and  lost  a  popular  Assembly.    Dongan  retired  to  his  farm. 

Andros  was  at  this  time  saddened  by  the  recent  death  of  his  wife 
(whose  funeral  was  attended  in  Boston,  on  the  10th  of  February,  "  with 

1  Col.  Doc,  III.  363,  391,  392,  397,  415,  416,  425,  429,  492.  Hutch.  Coll.,  559.  Learn- 
ing and  Spiccr,  604,  605.  S.  Smith,  204,  206,  211,  568.  Gordon,  53.  Bancroft,  II.  46,  47. 
Brodhcad,  II.  500,  501.  Grahame,  II.  299.  Whitehead's  E.  J.,  112,  113.  Index  to  N.  J. 
Col.  Doc,  13.  Chalmer's  Annals,  I.  590,  622.  Proud,  I.  322,  341.  Dalrymple,  II.  89,  90. 
Narcissus  Lultrell,  I.  461. 


328 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


great  pomp"),  and  delayed  his  journey  to  New  York  for  some  weeks. 
He  arrived  finally,  with  quite  an  army  of  attendants,  on  Satur- 
ng' U'  day,  August  11,  and  was  received  by  Colonel  Nicholas  Bayard's 
regiment  of  foot  and  a  troop  of  horse.  His  commission  was  read  at 
Fort  James,  and  afterwards  at  the  City  Hall.  The  Seal  of  New  York 
was  broken  and  defaced  in  his  presence,  by  order  of  the  king,  and  the 
Great  Seal  of  New  England  was  used  in  its  stead. 

New  York  was  deeply  humiliated  with  the  loss  of  her  provincial  indi- 
viduality. Dutch  blood  waxed  warm,  and  Dutch  wrath  could  with  diffi- 
culty be  restrained.  New  York  and  Massachusetts  had  been  rivals  and 
antagonists  from  the  start,  and  differed  politically  and  religiously  on  almost 
all  essential  points.  The  former  was  grand,  courteous,  hospitable,  and 
magnanimous ;  the  latter,  sectional,  narrow,  rigorous,  and  selfish.  Both 
erred  in  persecuting  the  Quakers ;  but  the  annals  of  Dutch  New  York 
were  not  disfigured  by  the  acts  of  self-righteous  despotism  which  marred 
the  record  of  her  Eastern  neighbor.  There  had  never  been  so  much  as  a 
fugitive  spark  of  love  between  the  two  provinces,  and  New  York  despair- 
ingly pronounced  her  present  "  unhappy  annexation  "  an  "abhorred  and 
unmerited  degradation." 

The  counselors  of  Dongan  —  Brockholls,  Philipse,  Bayard,  and  Van 
Cortlandt  —  were  sworn  into  the  new  administration,  and  fouud  their 
official  importance  increased  rather  than  diminished,  as  they  could  now 
vote  on  the  affairs  of  Boston  as  well  as  New  York.  As  it  was  necessary 
for  Andros  to  make  Boston  his  headquarters,  some  of  the  New  York  rec- 
ords were  transferred  to  Boston  for  his  convenience,  and  Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor Nicholson  was  left  in  charge  of  New  York  affairs. 

The  Protestants  of  New  York  appear  to  have  rejoiced  to  some  extent 
in  the  change  of  governors.  However  noble  and  discreet  Dongan's  course 
might  have  been,  the  fact  that  he  worshiped,  every  Sabbath,  with  a  few 
Eoman  Catholics,  in  a  small  chamber  in  Fort  James,  had  caused  iineasi- 
ness.  Dominie  Selyns  wrote  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  "  Sir  Edmund 
Andros  has  now  stepped  into  this  government  of  New  York  and  New 
Jersey,  and  is  of  the  Church  of  England ;  and,  understanding  and  speak- 
ing the  Low  Dutch  and  French,  he  attends  mine  and  Mr.  Daille's  preach- 
ing." It  was  hoped  that  papists  would  not  henceforth  come  so  freely  to 
settle  in  the  province. 

James  was,  at  this  moment,  actually  engaged  in  trying  to  change  the 
religion  of  his  kingdom.  The  cardinals  at  Rome  were  dismayed  at  his 
blunders.  "We  must  excommunicate  him,  or  he  will  destroy  the  little 
of  Catholicity  which  remains  in  Kngland ,"  they  said.  James  had,  some 
time  before,  apologized  to  Louis  for  the  discourtesy  shown  to  France  in 


EXTRAORDINARY  ACTS  OF  JAMES  II. 


329 


The  First  French  Church  in  New  York. 


favoring  the  exiled  Huguenots,  and  in  directing  Dongan  to  encourage 
them  to  settle  in  New  York,  with  the  promise  of  letters  of  denization. 
He  had  also  admonished  the 
Huguenot  ministers  to  speak 
reverentially  of  their  oppres- 
sor in  their  public  discourses. 
When  his  advisers  ventured  to 
remonstrate  at  these  conces- 
sions, "  One  king  should  always 
stand  by  another  king,"  was 
his  apology  ;  and  then  he  went 
on  intrusting  civil  and  milita- 
ry power  to  Roman  Catholics. 
He  multiplied  Catholic  chap- 
els ;  he  favored  the  establish- 
ment of  convents  in  different  parts  of  London ;  he  encouraged  the  ap- 
pearance of  monks  and  friars,  clad  in  the  habits  of  their  orders,  in 
the  streets,  and  even  in  the  Court  itself ;  he  attempted  to  proselyte 
the  Protestants  about  him ;  he  held  private  interviews,  which  he  called 
"  closetings,"  with  various  members  of  Parliament,  and,  when  they 
did  not  accede  to  his  wishes,  he  removed  them,  unless  they  resigned  of 
themselves,  and  gave  their  places  to  Catholics  ;  and  he  made  direct  attack 
upon  the  Established  Church  by  granting  equal  franchises  to  every  relig- 
ious sect. 

A  few  days  after  he  executed  the  commission  to  Andros,  he  issued  his 
second  declaration  of  the  liberty  of  conscience,  in  which  he  renewed 
the  abrogation  of  all  test  oaths  and  laws  against  dissenters.  The 
act  was  unconstitutional,  and  every  Catholic  of  good  judgment,  from  the 
Pope  downward,  was  alarmed  for  the  cause  it  was  intended  to  advance. 
Then  he  invaded  Oxford,  that  its  rich  endowments  might  be  shared  by 
the  Catholics.  The  University  plucked  up  courage  and  resisted ;  and,  in 
consequence,  twenty-five  of  its  officers  were  expelled  and  rendered  in- 
capable of  holding  any  church  preferment.  As  a  last  plunge,  preparatory 
to  the  tumble  from  his  throne  the  blind  king  resolved  to'  have  his  decla- 
ration of  liberty  of  conscience  read  in  every  church  in  the  realm. 
Little  did  he  dream  of  the  spirit  he  was  provoking.  Archbishop 
Sancroft,  of  Canterbury,  and  six  other  bishops,  in  a  petition  refused  to 
obey  the  command.  The  next  day  was  the  Sunday  fixed  for  the 
reading,  and  only  about  two  hundred  out  of  ten  thousand  clergy- 
men complied  with  the  requisition.  Against  all  advice,  the  seven  bishops 
were  committed  to  the  Tower.    They  were  taken  to  that  dismal  prison 


April  27. 


May  4. 


May  18. 


330 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


by  water ;  and,  as  they  passed  along,  the  crowds  of  people,  who  had 
assembled  in  startling  numbers,  fell  upon  their  knees,  and  wept  and 
prayed  for  them.  When  they  entered  the  iron  gates,  the  officers  and 
soldiers  on  guard  besought  their  blessing.  During  their  confinement, 
the  soldiers  of  the  army  every  day  drank,  with  loud  shouts,  to  their 
release.  When  they  were  arraigned  before  the  Court  of  King's  Bench, 
they  were  surrounded  by  a  throng  of  noblemen  and  gentlemen  and  a 
multitude  of  sympathizing  people.  The  jury  brought  in  a  verdict  of 
"NOT  guilty,"  and  such  a  shout  went  up  as  had  never  before  been  heard 
in  Westminster  Hall,  and  was  passed  on  from  street  to  street,  away  td 
Temple  Bar,  and  to  the  Tower,  and  westward,  till  it  reached  the  camp  at 
Hounslow,  where  fifteen  thousand  soldiers  took  it  up,  and  echoed  it  again 
and  again.  The  king  heard  the  mighty  roar,  and  asked  in  alarm  what  it 
meant  ?  "  It  is  nothing  but  the  acquittal  of  the  Bishops,"  answered  one 
of  his  Lords.  "  Call  you  that  nothing  ? "  exclaimed  his  Majesty.  "  It  is 
so  much  the  worse  for  them." 

Between  the  petition  of  the  Bishops  and  the  trial,  the  queen  gave  birth 
to  a  sou.  The  prospect  of  a  Catholic  successor,  which  was  a  great 
June  10.  consoja^ou  £0  James,  since  both  of  his  daughters  were  Protestants, 
produced  for  him  an  unlooked-for  and  extraordinary  result.  Several  of 
the  leading  noblemen  of  the  realm,  among  whom  w  as  the  Earl  of  Shrews- 
bury, the  Earl  of  Dauby,  the  Earl  of  Devonshire,  Lord  Lumley,  the 
Bishop  of  London,  Admiral  liussel  and  Colonel  Sidney,  on  the 
evening  after  the  acquittal  of  the  Bishops,  sent  a  secret  invitation 
to  the  Prince  of  Orange  to  come  over  to  England. 

Admiral  liussel  had  visited  the  Hague  in  May,  while  it  was  still  un- 
certain whether  or  not  the  declaration  would  be  read  in  the  churches,  and 
had  held  a  long  interview  with  Prince  William,  advising  him  to  appear 
in  England  at  the  head  of  a  strong  body  of  troops  and  call  the  people  to 
arms.  William  was  inclined  to  suspect  the  courage  of  those  who  talked 
about  sacrificing  their  lives  and  fortunes  in  such  an  enterprise,  and  finally 
declined  giving  the  subject  consideration  until  distinct  invitations  and 
pledges  of  support  should  come  to  him  from  responsible  sources.  He  or- 
dered prayers  to  be  said  under  his  own  roof  for  his  little  brother-in-law, 
and  sent  a  formal  message  of  congratulation  to  London.  Presently  the 
rumor  reached  him  that  not  more  than  one  person  in  ten  believed1  the 
child  to  have  really  been  born  of  the  queen.  Mary  partook  of  the  pre- 
vailing suspicion,  and  the  prayers  for  the  Prince  of  Wales  ceased  in  her 
private  chapel.    If  she  had  ever  loved  her  father,  this  supposed  attempt 

1  Clarendon's  Diary,  1688.  Correspondence  between  Anne  and  Mary  in  Dalrymple.  Clarke's 
Life  of  James  II.    Burnet.    Macaulay's  Hist,  of  Eng.  Ronquillo, 


THE  CHARACTER  OF  WILLIAM  III. 


331 


to  deprive  her  of  her  rights  must  have  alienated  her  affections.  It  was 
many  years  since  she  had  seen  him.  He  had  done  nothing  since  her  mar- 
riage to  call  forth  tenderness  on  her  part.  On  the  contrary  he  had  tried 
to  disturb  her  domestic  happiness,  and  had  introduced  spies,  eaves-drop- 
pers, and  tale-bearers  under  her  roof. 

The  direct  influence  exerted  by  Prince  William  Henry  upon  the  for- 
tunes of  New  York  seems  to  demand  a  brief  glance  at  his  person  and 
character.  He  was 
less  than  forty  years 
of  age,  with  a  face  of 
fifty,  and  a  wasted, 
attenuated  body,  that 
seemed  scarcely  able 
to  sustain  the  burden 
of  existence.  His  fac- 
ulties ripened  at  a 
time  of  life,  when,  in 
ordinary  men,  they 
have  scarcely  begun 
to  blossom.  While 
but  a  lad,  he  aston- 
ished the  fathers  of 
the  Dutch  Common- 
wealth by  his  gravity 
and  self-control.  At 
twenty-three,  he  was 
famous  all  over  Eu- 
rope as  a  soldier  and 
a  politician.  He  had 
been  weak  and  sickly 
from  his  birth ;  and 
his  feeble  frame  was 
constantly  shaken  by 

a  hoarse  asthmatic  cough.  He  never  slept  unless  his  head  was  propped 
by  several  pillows,  and  he  could  scarcely  draw  his  breath  in  any  but  the 
purest  air.  He  was  the  victim  of  severe  nervous  headaches,  and  exertion 
quickly  fatigued  him.  He  was  neither  a  happy  nor  a  good-humored  man. 
His  pale,  thin  face  was  deeply  furrowed,  and  a  cloud  seemed  ever  to  rest 
upon  his  thoughtful  brow.  His  eyes  were  bright,  keen,  and  restless  ;  his 
nose  curved  like  the  beak  of  an  eagle  ;  and  his  compressed  lips  gave  to  his 
whole  aspect  an  air  of  pensive  severity. 


Portrait  of  William  III. 


332 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


But  he  was  endowed  with  the  qualities  of  a  great  ruler.  He  had  a 
hard  and  invincible  will,  which  forced  him  at  times  into  the  performance 
of  the  most  herculean  labors.  He  could  praise  and  reprimand,  reward 
and  punish,  with  the  stern  tranquillity  of  an  Indian  chieftain.  When 
enraged,  the  outbreak  of  his  passion  was  something  terrible  to  witness, 
and  it  was  scarcely  safe,  at  such  times,  to  approach  him.  His  affection 
was  as  impetuous  as  his  wrath ;  although,  to  the  world  in  general,  he 
appeared  to  be  one  of  the  coldest  and  most  unfeeling  of  men.  "When 
death  separated  him  from  the  object  of  his  love,  the  few  who  witnessed 
his  agonies  trembled  for  his  reason  and  his  life. 

He  was  not,  in  a  fashionable  or  a  literary  sense,  accomplished ;  and,  in 
social  intercourse,  he  was  either  ignorant  or  negligent  of  the  little  graces 
which  increase  the  value  of  a  favor  and  take  away  the  sting  of  a  refusal. 
He  understood  Latin,  Italian,  and  Spanish,  and  spoke  and  wrote  French, 
English,  and  German,  fluently,  although  inelegantly.  He  cared  little  for 
science,  but  was  intensely  interested  in  all  questions  of  international 
usage,  of  finance,  and  of  war.  He  was  a  born  statesman.  His  theology 
had  been  molded  by  the  faith  of  his  ancestors,  the  discussions  in  the 
synod  of  Dort,  and  the  austere  and  inflexible  logic  of  the  Genevese  school. 
The  tenet  of  predestination  was  the  keystone  of  his  religion,  but  he 
openly  avowed  his  fixed  aversion  to  intolerance  and  persecution. 

His  marriage  had  been  purely  a  political  consideration.  He  devoted 
himself  to  public  business,  field  sports,  and  some  of  the  beautiful  ladies 
of  Mary's  Court,  and  proved  himself  one  of  the  most  negligent  of  hus- 
bands. For  nine  years,  he  and  his  young  wife  lived  estranged,  but 
Mary's  gentleness  gradually  won  upon  his  esteem.  There  was  one  cause 
by  which  they  were  kept  asunder,  of  which  Mary  had  not  the  slightest 
suspicion.  A  time  might  come  when  she  would  be  .Queen  of  England, 
while  her  husband,  with  the  same  royal  blood  in  his  veins,  ambitious, 
versed  in  diplomacy,  understanding  the  state  of  every  court  in  Europe, 
and  bent  on  enterprises  of  magnitude,  could  only  hold  power  from  her 
bounty  and  during  her  pleasure.  It  was  but  natural  that  a  man  so  fond 
of  authority  and  so  conscious  of  strength  should  have  been  stung  with 
jealousy,  in  view  of  his  humiliating  position.  Bishop  Burnet,  Mary's 
spiritual  director  and  confidential  adviser,  blurted  the  truth  to  her,  one 
morning,  and  she  thus  learned,  for  the  first  time,  that,  when  she  became 
Queen  of  England,  William  would  not  share  her  throne.  She  tearfully 
sought  the  remedy.  Burnet  explained  to  her,  that,  when  she  received 
the  crown,  she  might,  if  she  desired,  easily  induce  Parliament  to  give  the 
regal  title  to  her  husband,  and  even  transfer  to  him  by  legislative  act  the 
administration  of  the  government.    Mary  was  delighted  with  this  oppor- 


WILLIAM'S  EXPEDITION  TO  ENGLAND. 


333 


tunity  of  showing  her  magnanimity  and  her  attachment,  and  sent  Burnet 
at  once  in  quest  of  William,  and  sweetly  assured  the  latter  with  her 
own  lips  that  he  should  always  bear  rule,  only  asking  him  in  return  to 
observe  the  precept  which  enjoins  husbands  to  love  their  wives.  Her 
generosity  melted  the  ice  of  so  many  years'  formation,  and  the  warmest 
affection  took  the  place  of  painful  indifference.  Bishop  Burnet  thereby 
rendered  to  his  country  a  service  of  the  gravest  moment,  for  it  was  not 
long  before  the  public  safety  depended  upon  the  mutual  confidence  and 
perfect  concord  of  William  and  Mary. 

The  difficulties  in  the  way  of  their  accession  to  the  throne  of  England 
were  very  many,  and  appeared  insurmountable.  But  they  were  all  com- 
prehended in  the  grasp  of  one  capacious  mind  which  planned  their  solu- 
tion with  consummate  skill.  Mary  sympathized  in  her  husband's  every 
movement,  and  regarded  the  contemplated  undertaking  as  just  and  holy. 
William's  objects  seemed  incompatible  with  each  other,  —  to  lead  enthu- 
siastic Protestants  on  a  crusade  against  Popery  with  the  good  wishes  of 
almost  every  Popish  government,  and  even  of  the  Pope  himself.  But 
whether  he  rightly  estimated  the  meaning  and  the  direction  of  the  great 
movements  of  the  time,  and  was  conscious  that  all  through  Europe  there 
was  the  stirring  of  a  new  intellectual  power  and  an  irresistible  tendency 
towards  democratic  conditions  of  society,  or  was  prompted  purely  by  a 
desire  to  resist  the  power  of  France  and  the  progress  of  tyranny  and  per- 
secution, and  to  rescue  Protestantism  and  constitutional  liberty  in  Eng- 
land, he  certainly  accomplished  all,  and  more  than  all  he  contemplated. 
The  history  of  ancient  and  modern  times  records  no  other  such  triumph 
in  statesmanship. 

His  future  course  once  decided  upon,  William  urged  his  preparations 
with  indefatigable  activity.  A  military  and  naval  expedition  was  quietly 
and  skillfully  organized  in  the  Netherlands.  For  a  time,  neither  James 
nor  Louis  was  aware  of  its  object.  Rumors,  however,  reached  the  ears  of 
the  former  which  caused  him  great  anxiety.  At  last,  a  dispatch  told  the 
whole  story  :  the  blood  left  the  cheeks  of  the  now  thoroughly  awakened 
king,  and  he  remained  for  some  time  speechless.  The  first  easterly  wind 
would  bring  a  hostile  army  to  the  shores  of  England.  All  Europe,  one 
power  only  excepted,  was  impatiently  waiting  for  his  downfall.  He  was 
overcome  by  absolute  fear.  He  tried  to  conciliate  the  Tories,  forgetting 
that  concessions  had  always  been  the  ruin  of  kings.  But  the  Tories  stood 
aloof. 

All  at  once,  William's  expedition  landed  at  Torbay.    It  produced  less 
excitement  than  had  been  anticipated.    A  full  week  elapsed 
before  any  man  of  note  joined  the  invaders.    If  James  had  acted 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


with  ordinary  efficiency,  even  then  his  cause  might  not  have  been  lost. 
William,  who  had  hazarded  everything,  was  excessively  mortified  at  the 
coolness  of  his  reception.  He  became  so  indignant,  that  he  threatened 
to  return  to  Holland.  Several  parties  of  consecpience  were,  however,  on 
their  way  to  join  his  standard.  One  example  stimulated  another.  His 
forces  swelled  rapidly.  John,  Lord  Lovelace,  of  Hurley,  the  brother  of 
the  former  governor  of  New  York,  with  his  command,  and  Edward,  Lord 
Cornbury,  who  was  in  command  of  three  regiments  of  cavalry,  went 
quietly  to  William's  quarters,  and  their  troops  were  pressed  into  the  new 
service  through  the  offer  of  a  bounty  equal  to  a  month's  pay.  The 
tidings  of  Cornbury's  defection  reached  the  king  just  as  he  was  sitting 
down  to  dinner.  He  turned  quickly  away,  swallowed  a  crust  of  bread 
ami  a  glass  of  wine,  and  retired  to  his  closet.  Meanwhile,  several  gentle- 
men in  whom  lie  had  implicit  confidence  were  rejoicing  over  the  occur- 
rence in  the  next  room,  and  laughing  heartily.  When  the  queen  heard 
the  news  she  broke  out  in  screams  of  agonizing  sorrow. 

The  quarters  of  William  at  Exeter  soon  presented  the  appearance  of  a 
court.  More  than  sixty  noblemen  and  gentlemen  were  there  assembled, 
and  the  display  of  rich  liveries,  and  of  coaches  each  drawn  by  six  horses, 
gave  to  the  Cathedral  Close  something  of  the  splendor  of  Whitehall. 
Bishop  Burnet  drew  up  a  paper,  which  was  approved  and  eagerly  signed 
by  the  English  adherents,  by  which  they  promised  to  stand  by  William 
until  the  liberties  and  the  religion  of  the  nation  should  be  effectually 
secured. 

James  bustled,  and  prepared  to  maintain  his  honor  by  force  of  arms. 
All  at  once,  Churchill  went  over  to  the  Protestants.  Confusion  reigned 
in  the  royal  camp.  News  came  that  Kirke  had  followed  Churchill.  No 
one  knew  whom  to  trust  or  whom  to  obey,  dames  was  in  despair.  At 
the  supper-table,  in  Andover,  he  had  the  company  of  his  son-in-law, 
Prince  George,  and  the  Duke  of  Ormond.  Both  were  intending  to  join 
Churchill  at  the  earliest  possible  moment,  and  were  silent  and  taciturn. 
Prince  George  was  always  stupid.  It  was  his  habit,  when  he  heard  a 
piece  of  news,  to  exclaim  in  French,  " Est-iL  possible?"  So,  when  he 
was  told  that  Churchill  was  missing,  his  first  and  only  response  was, 
"  Esl-il  possible  V  And  at  every  fresh  report  of  ill-tidings,  he  uttered 
in  the  same  tone,  "  Est-il  possible  ?"  They  finished  their  supper,  and  the 
king  retired  to  rest.  Prince  George  and  the  Duke  of  Ormond  left  the 
table,  mounted  their  horses,  and  rode  to  the  Protestant  cam]).  When 
.lames  was  informed  of  tins  new  delect  ion,  on  the  following  morning, 
"What!"  he  exclaimed,  "is  est-il  possible  gone  too?  After  all,  a  good 
trooper  would  have  been  a  greater  loss." 


WILLIAM'S  RECEPTION  IN  LONDON. 


335 


On  the  morning  of  the  26th,  the  apartments  of  the  Princess  Anne,  at 
Whitehall,  were  found  empty.    She  had  abandoned  her  father,  to 
follow  her  husband  and  William.    This  affliction  forced  a  cry 
of  agony  from  the  king's  lips.    "  God  help  me,"  he  said,  "  my  own  chil- 
dren have  forsaken  me  !  " 

He  instituted  negotiations  with  William,  in  order  to  gain  time  to  send 
the  queen  and  the  Prince  of  Wales  into  France.  He  then  made  imme- 
diate preparations  to  ahdicate  the  throne.  At  three  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  11th  of  December,  he  rose  from  his  bed,  ordered  the  lord  of  his 
bedchamber  not  to  open  the  door  until  the  usual  hour,  and,  passing  down 
the  back  stairway,  set  out  in  the  disguise  of  a  servant,  accompanied  by 
Sir  Edward  Hales,  on  a  fishing-boat  to  France.  He  threw  the  Great  Seal 
into  the  Thames,  where  it  was  found  by  a  fisherman  some  months  after- 
ward. He  was  arrested  by  some  sailors,  who  were  watching  for  priests 
and  other  delinquents,  and  taken  to  Feversham.  Having  told  his  captors 
who  he  was,  a  great  crowd  came  together  to  see  the  proud  king  in  such 
mean  hands.  It  was  a  trifling  incident,  and  yet  it  proved  to  be  the 
origin  of  the  Jacobites.  Until  now,  the  king  had  scarcely  had  a  part}' ; 
but  from  this  moment  one  budded  into  existence  which  was  long  active 
for  his  interests. 

William  regretted  most  keenly  that  James  failed  in  his  attempt  to 
escape.  It  was  a  tender  point,  how  to  dispose  of  his  person.  With  the 
desertion  of  the  sovereign,  the  nation  was  free,  and  at  liberty  to  secure 
itself.  William  would  not  consent  to  make  the  father  of  his  wife  a  pris- 
oner. It  was  necessary  to  send  him  out  of  London,  and  a  guard  was  or- 
dered to  attend  him,  not  to  hamper  his  movements,  but  for  his  protection 
and  defense.  It  had  the  appearance  of  forcible  expulsion  and  elicited 
sympathy  in  his  behalf  in  various  quarters,  creating  much  mischief  for 
those  who  came  after  him.  He  left  finally  on  the  last  day  of  the  year 
and  reached  France  in  safety. 

Even  before  he  arrived  in  London,  William  ordered  that  the  papists 
should  be  secured  from  all  violence.  He  was  warmly  welcomed  by  the 
different  bodies  ;  such  as,  first  the  bishops,  then  the  clergy,  the  city  offi- 
cials, and  others,  in  the  order  of  their  importance.  When  the  lawyers 
came,  William  took  notice  of  one  who  was  nearly  ninety  years  of  age, 
and  said  to  him,  "  You  must  have  outlived  all  the  men  of  the  law  of 
your  time."  "Yes,"  he  replied,  "and  I  should  have  outlived  the  law 
itself,  if  your  Highness  had  not  come  over." 

The  government  once  assumed,  William  published  a  proclamation,  con- 
tinuing in  office  all  magistrates,  and  another,  ordering  the  collection  of 
the  revenue.    He  remodeled  the  army,  reappointing  many  of  the  oHieers 


336  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


whom  James  had  removed.  The  Common  Council  of  London  raised  in 
forty-eight  hours  the  sum  of  two  hundred  thousand  pounds,  to  extricate 
him  from  his  financial  difficulties.  The  disturbances  which  had  been 
occasioned  by  the  suspension  of  all  regular  government  were  soon  at  an 
1689  enc*'  an(^ a  sense  °f  security  was  implanted  throughout  the  kingdom. 

The  Catholics  were  treated  with  the  utmost  kindness,  and  the  Span- 
ish minister  reported  to  the  Pope,  that  no  one  of  that  faith  need  feel  any 
scruple  of  conscience  on  account  of  the  late  Revolution  in  England. 
William  called  a  Convention  Parliament,  which  declared  that  the 

English  throne  was  vacant  by  the  abdication  of  the  kino-.    It  then 

Jan  22 

'  cordially  offered  the  crown  to  William  and  Mary,  by  whom  it  was 
accepted.    The  very  night  before  this  was  to  be  done,  Mary  arrived  in 
Feb.  12.  safety  from  Holland.    On  the  13th  of  February  the  whole  affair 
Feb.  13.  was  consummated  and  William  and  Mary  were  proclaimed  king 
and  queen  of  England. 

Louis  took  the  part  of  James.  He  spoke  of  the  Revolution  as  a  fright- 
ful domestic  tragedy.  The  politics  of  a  long  and  glorious  line  of  kings 
had  been  confounded  in  a  day.  William's  conquest  was  admired  even  in 
France,  but  he  was  personally  abhorred.  The  conduct  of  the  unnatural 
daughters  of  James  was  execrated ;  the  queen  and  her  infant  son  were 
objects  of  pity  and  romantic  interest.  Louis  set  an  example  of  royal 
munificence  in  providing  for  the  hapless  king  and  his  family,  and  lav- 
ished upon  them  every  courtly  attention. 


Second  Seal  of  the  City  of  New  York. 
(For  description  see  page  318.) 


THE  REVOLUTION. 


337 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


1689. 


THE  REVOLUTION. 


The  Revolution.  —  Sir  William  Phipps.  —  Rev.  Dr.  Increase  Mather.  — The  Bill 
and  its  Fate.  —  The  News  in  New  York.  —  The  News  in  Boston.  —  Revolution  in 
Boston.  —  Revolution  throughout  New  England.  —  New  York  alarmed.  — The 
Lieutenant-Governor  and  his  Council.  —  The  Public  Money. — Anxiety  and  Pre- 
cautionary Measures.  —  The  Militia  of  New  York.  —  Jacob  Leisler.  —  The 
Cargo  of  Wine.  —  The  Cloud  on  Long  Island.  —  Wild  Rumors.  —  Plot  to  destroy 
New  York. — Lieutenant  Henry  Cuyler.  —  Revolution  in  New  York. — Con- 
fusion. —  Leisler's  Declaration.  —  The  Black  Saturday.  —  Events  of  Monday. 
—  The  False  Alarm  and  its  Results. — The  Disabled  Government. — Philip 
French. — Leisler's  Correspondence.  —  Nicholson  sails  for  England. —  Leisler's 
Infatuation.  — Captains  De  Peyster  and  Stuyvesant.  • — Proclamation  of  Wil- 
liam and  Mary.  —  Drinking  the  New  King's  Health.  —  Riotous  Conduct.  —  The 
Fight  at  the  Custom-House.  —  Colonel  Bayard's  Escape.  —  Leisler's  Conven- 
tion. —  The  "Committee  of  Safety."  —  The  Mayor's  Court. 

T  I  TWO  days  after  the  coronation,  a  new  privy  council  was  chosen.  It 


I     was  composed  chiefly  of  Whigs ;  but  the  names  of  a  few  1689. 
eminent  Tories  appeared  on  the  list.    It  was  thereby  understood  Feb- ia 
that  William  did  not  intend  to  proscribe  any  class  of  men  who  were  will- 
ing to  support  his  throne.    Even  the  new  Committee  for  Foreign  Planta- 
tions were  noblemen  from  both  political  parties.    This  committee  met  at 
once,  and  prepared  drafts  of  Proclamations,  to  send  to  the  Ameri- 
can colonies.    They  also  wrote  letters  to  the  colonial  governors, 
signifying  the  pleasure  of  William  that  all  men  in  office  under  the  late 
king  should  be  so  continued  unti]  further  notice. 

The  irregular  convention  which  had  conferred  the  monarchy  of  Eng- 
land upon  the  new  sovereigns  was  transformed  into  a  Parliament, 
and  went  on  making  laws,  as  if  it  had  unimpeachable  authority. 
It  did  not  extend  the  Test  Act  to  the  colonies,  but  it  required  every  per- 
son holding  office  to  take  an  oath  of  allegiance  to  William  and  Mary ; 
and  it  simply  abjured  the  Pope's  authority,  ecclesiastical  and  spiritual, 
throughout  the  realm  of  England.    While  not  a  single  new  right  was 


22 


338 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


given  to  the  people,  order  was  preserved.  The  nation  supported  the 
throne,  and  thus  the  revolution — -of  all  revolutions  in  history  the  least 
violent  —  proved  a  peace  revolution.  The  executive  power  and  the 
legislative  power  no  longer  impeded  each  other  in  the  passage  of  such 
laws  as  were  found  necessary  for  the  public  weal. 

The  agents  of  Massachusetts  in  England,  Sir  William  Phipps  and  Rev. 
Dr.  Increase  Mather,  watched  events  with  keen  interest.  Sir  William 
was  the  son  of  a  Pemaquid  farmer  and  one  of  a  family  of  twenty-six 
children.  In  his  boyhood  he  had  tended  sheep,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
had  learned  the  trade  of  a  ship-carpenter.  He  grew  up  illiterate  and  ill- 
mannered,  and  having  adopted  a  seafaring  life,  chanced,  through  a  series 
of  fortuitous  circumstances,  to  come  under  the  notice  of  King  James,  who 
was  pleased  with  his  bustling  energy  and  made  him  commander  of  one  of 
his  frigates.  Soon  afterward,  in  consideration  of  some  valiant  service, 
James  knighted  him,  and  presently  offered  him  the  government  of  Massa- 
chusetts ;  but,  as  the  offer  was  made  just  prior  to  the  abdication,  no  further 
action  was  ever  taken  in  the  matter. 

Rev.  Dr.  Increase  Mather,  the  son  of  Eev.  Richard  Mather,  was  born 
in  Massachusetts  in  1G39.  After  graduating  at  Harvard  College  in  1656, 
he  went  to  Europe,  and  in  1658  was  made  Master  of  Arts  in  the  Dublin 
University.  He  married  the  daughter  of  the  celebrated  Rev.  John 
Cotton,  of  Boston,  and  had  ten  children.1  He  was  pastor  of  the  North 
Church  in  Boston  from  1664  to  1723,  a  period  of  fifty-nine  years,  and 
was  the  author  of  ninety-two  publications,  besides  many  short  fugitive 
articles.  He  was  a  gentleman,  as  well  as  one  of  the  profoundest  scholars 
of  his  time,  —  a  Puritan,  whose  whole  anxiety  was  for  the  future  of  the 
New  England  colonies. 

Sir  Henry  Ashurst  was  a  steadfast  friend  of  Massachusetts  and  influen- 
tial in  the  House  of  Commons.  He  was  a  personal  friend  of  Dr. 
Mather,  and  together  with  the  latter,  and  Sir  William  Phipps,  was 
chiefly  instrumental  in  pushing  through  the  House  a  bill  to  restore  the 
corporations  both  at  home  and  abroad  to  their  original  condition  in  1660. 
When  this  act  was  shown  to  William,  he  was  seriously  annoyed.  Such  a 
law  coidd  not  but  imperil  his  prerogative.  It  was  consequently  delayed 
in  the  House  of  Lords  until  the  Convention  Parliament  was  dissolved. 

Meanwhile,  Dr.  Mather  had  been  for  some  time  in  correspondence  with 
Abraham  Kick,  an  eminent  Hollander.  The  latter  had  contrived  to  sur- 
prise Mary,  before  she  left  the  Hague,  into  a  promise  that  she  would 
favor  New  England    Upon. the  Strength  of  her  unguarded  words,  Dr. 

1  The  distinguished  Rev.  Cotton  Mather  was  the  son  of  Dr.  Increase  Mather,  and  was  the 
author  of  three  hundred  and  eighty-two  distinct  publications. 


THE  NEWS  IN  BOSTON. 


339 


Mather  and  Sir  William  appeared  before  the  king  with  a  petition  that 
Governor  Andros  should  be  removed,  and  that  Massachusetts,  Plymouth; 
Rhode  Island,  and  Connecticut  should  be  restored  to  their  former  privi- 
leges and  the  rule  of  their  former  governors. 

William  was  confounded.  He  had  no  intention  of  disuniting  his  royal 
dominion  of  New  England.  But  he  was  too  cautious  a  statesman  to 
speak  his  whole  mind  in  such  a  crisis.  He  listened  graciously,  and, 
knowing  that  Sir  William  and  Sir  Edmund  were  sworn  foes,  signified  in 
general  terms  his  willingness  to  remove  the  latter.  To  Dr.  Mather  he 
intimated  the  possibility  of  a  new  charter  and  a  colonial  assembly.  Yet, 
notwithstanding  this  apparent  compliance  with  their  requests,  he  was 
so  coldly  non-committal  that  neither  of  the  gentlemen  was  satisfied,  and 
they  learned  shortly  after,  to  their  dismay,  that  he  was  being  urged  by 
his  Whig  advisers  to  carry  into  vigorous  execution  some  of  the  most  rigid 
colonial  measures  of  his  predecessor,  in  order  to  bring  those  remote  do- 
minions into  a  nearer  dependence  upon  the  crown. 

There  were  no  deep-sea  cables  in  those  days  and  news  crossed  the 
Atlantic  tardily  and  uncertainly.  It  was  in  January  that  the  first  inti- 
mation of  the  hostile  movements  of  the  Prince  of  Orange  reached  the 
American  shores.  Even  then,  the  report  was  not  well  authenticated. 
A  Virginia  coasting-vessel  brought  it  to  New  York.  Captain  Greveraet 
called  upon  Lieutenant-Governor  Nicholson,  and  repeated  the  story, 
which  had  come  verbally  and  at  second  hand  to  him,  and  which  sounded 
altogether  incredible.  "  Nonsense  !  "  exclaimed  Nicholson,  laughing  con- 
temptuously, "  if  the  report  is  true  the  very  'prentice  boys  of  London  will 
drive  him  out  again.    He  will  have  no  better  success  than  Monmouth." 

In  the  latter  part  of  February,  Jacob  Leisler,  while  in  Maryland  on 
business,  heard  a  rumor  to  the  same  effect,  and,  on  his  return  to  New 
York,  put  it  into  general  circulation.  The  first  day  of  March,  Nicholson 
received,  through  a  Quaker  traveler,  a  letter  from  Governor  Blackwell  of 
Pennsylvania,  saying  that  he  had  examined  one  Zagharia  Whitepaine,  a 
sailor  recently  arrived,  who  declared  upon  oath  that  the  Prince  of  Orange 
had  invaded  England.  Seventeen  other  letters  to  different  persons  in 
New  York  were  brought  from  Pennsylvania  by  the  same  traveler.  These 
were  placed  for  distribution  in  the  hands  of  Nicholson  and  his  council, 
who  formally  resolved  to  open  them,  "  for  the  prevention  of  tumult  and 
the  divulging  of  such  strange  news."  The  substance  of  each  letter  was 
a  confirmation  of  what  had  been  already  learned.  They  immediately 
sent  two  expresses,  one  by  water  and  the  other  by  land,  to  Governor 
Andros,  who  was  in  Maine  bravely  defending  the  frontier  against 
the  savages.  He  returned  promptly  to  Boston,  accompanied  by 
three  members  of  his  council,  Graham  West,  and  Palmer. 


340 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Nothing  further  was  learned  either  definitely  or  otherwise,  until  the 
4th  of  April,  when  there  entered  Boston  harbor  a  ship  from  Nevis 

.April  4-  • 

in  the  West  Indies,  and  John  Winslow,  one  of  her  passengers,  had 
copies  of  the  Prince's  declaration  of  the  previous  October.  He  also  had 
in  his  possession  some  printed  accounts  of  William's  entrance  into  Eng- 
land. He  exhibited  the  papers  to  several  persons,  but  did  not  take  them 
to  the  governor.  Finally  Andros  sent  for  him  and  questioned  him  close- 
ly ;  but  he  refused  to  give  any  information  or  to  produce  the  documents, 
and,  in  consequence  of  his  contumacy,  was  committed  to  prison. 

Dr.  Mather  had  written  private  letters,  which  reached  Boston  by  the 
same  vessel;  but  they  were  dated  a  long  time  prior  to  the  coronation  of 
William  and  Mary.  They  were  addressed  to  members  of  his  own  family. 
It  was  whispered,  however,  that  in  them  he  had  expressed  his  belief  that 
a  charter  with  large  powers  for  Massachusetts  would  immediately  follow 
William's  accession  to  the  English  throne.  The  Puritan  prayer  was 
henceforth,  "  success  to  the  Dutch  prince  over  the  popish  king." 

It  was  not  many  days  before  Andros  became  convinced  that  something 
unusual  was  going  on  in  and  around  Boston.  He  was  a  thoroughly  loyal 
officer,  and  did  not  suspect  the  extent  of  the  slanderous  misrepresenta- 
tions of  his  own  conduct,  which  were  inflaming  the  public  mind.  He 
wrote  to  Brockholls,  whom  he  had  left  in  command  at  Pemaquid,  that  lie 
had  good  reason  to  believe  that  .some  of  the  Indians  had  been  traitor- 
ously supplied  with  ammunition  by  Boston  merchants,  and  ordered  him 
to  keep  a  strict  guard  to  prevent  surprise.  He  would  have  been  surprised, 
himself,  had  he  known  what  all  the  "buzzing  and  commotion"  signified 
The  people  said  he  was  about  to  oppose  the  lawful  commands  of  the  new 
sovereigns  ;  that  he  was  in  league  with  the  French  ;  that  he  had  hired  the 
New  York  Mohawks  to  destroy  Boston  ;  that  he  had  poisoned  the  soldiers 
in  Maine ;  with  a  great  many  other  equally  absurd  and  inconsistent 
things,  which  found  credence  in  a  community  which  could  see  no  escape 
from  the  evils  of  Popery  save  in  the  restoration  of  the  Puritan  oligarchy. 

On  the  evening  of  April  17,  Andros  entertained  the  gentlemen 
Apn  17-  Q£  ujg  councj]  at  tiinner  He  retired  at  his  usual  hour' and  his 
sleep  was  undisturbed  until  late,  the  next  morning,  when,  while  at  break- 
fast, he  was  informed  that  people  were  coining  into  town  in  great 
Apni  is.  numj)0rs  frf)ni  tjle  rura]  districts.  The  street  soon  had  the  ap- 
pearance of  an  annual  fair-day,  only  there  were  fewer  women  to  be  seen. 
Finally,  the  militia  companies  inarched  rapidly  through  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal thoroughfares. 

While;  Andros  was  investigating  the  nature  of  the  disturbance,  the 
prominent  citizens  were  assembling  in  the  Town  House.    Rev.  Cotton 


REVOLUTION  THROUGHOUT  NEW  ENGLAND.  341 


Mather  read  to  them  a  "  Declaration  "  which  he  had  prepared,  giving 
reasons  for  revolting  against  the  present  government.  A  summons  was 
quickly  signed  for  the  arrest  of  the  governor  and  his  council.  Andros  was 
taken  wholly  unawares,  and,  of  course,  resistance  was  out  of  the  question. 
He  was  escorted  to  prison,  together  with  Graham,  West,  Palmer,  and  the 
other  officers  of  the  crown.  A  "  Council  of  Safety  "  was  chosen,  to  man- 
age public  affairs,  whose  purpose  was  said  to  be,  "  to  preserve  the  govern- 
ment until  directions  should  arrive  from  England."  The  old  magistrates 
were  reinstated  in  office,  and  quiet  and  good  order  soon  prevailed  through- 
out Boston.1 

This  proceeding  had  a  singular  tinge  of  secession ;  it  was,  as  viewed 
from  our  present  stand-point,  uncalled  for,  and  unjustifiable.  But  the 
stern  New-Englander  was  unwilling  to  await  the  result  of  the  political 
agitation  in  the  mother  country,  and  feared  that  the  officers  under  James 
would  attempt  to  re-establish  their  fallen  monarch.  The  danger  was  im- 
aginary to  a  great  extent.  And  the  dread  of  absolute  power  in  a  spiritual 
order  blinded  the  eyes  of  the  wise  men  of  Massachusetts  to  the  fact  that 
the  vigorous  but  narrow  creed  of  Puritanism  was  only  another  form  of 
religious  despotism. 

The  idea  of  insurrection  traveled  with  rapidity.  Plymouth, 

A.pri.1  22- 

sheltered  under  the  wings  of  her  more  sanctified  neighbor,  Boston, 
proceeded  to  place  her  former  governor,  Hinckley,  in  the  chair  of  state, 
and  adopted  her  old  style  of  administration.    Rhode  Island  did  likewise. 
That  is,  she  reinstated  her  old  magistrates.    It  was  accomplished  May  1. 
quietly  on  the  first  day  of  May.    Connecticut  was  reconstructed,  May 9- 
nine  days  later,  on  the  skeleton  of  the  copy  of  the  famous  charter,  which 
was  exhumed  from  the  hollow  oak  at  Hartford.    Thus,  without  the  knowl- 
edge and  against  the  purpose  of  William,  his  dominion  of  New  England 
was  disunited  forever. 

Imperial  New  York  rejoiced  over  the  disseverment  of  the  bond,  freeing 
her  from  political  connection  with  New  England.  Dutch  New  York  es- 
chewed all  manner  of  religious  fanaticism.  The  English  families  of  New 
York  were  attached  to  the  Church  of  England  and  had  no  symvathv 
with  the  meddling  spirit  of  Puritanism.  New  York  was  intolerant  of 
both  Popery  and  Puritanism,  and  ready  to  plunge  headlong  into  intense 
devotion  to  a  Dutch  prince  who  was  so  suddenly  transformed  into  an 
English  king. 

New  York  was  intrenched  in  prejudice,  but  prejudice  as  unlike  that 

1  Ham.  Hint.  Soc.  Coll.  Conn.  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.  Palmer's  Impartial  Account.  Hutch. 
Mass.  Chalmers'  Annals.  Barry.  Arnold.  Brodhead.  Palfrey.  Bancroft.  Rhode  Island 
Records.    Force  Tracts.    Graharne.    Hildreth.    New  York  Col.  Doc. 


342 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  707? A'. 


which  moved  the  people  of  Boston  into  rebellion  as  the  Temperance 
Reform  from  Mahometanism,  —  the  total  abstinence  from  wine  beidj 
the  only  like  article  in  the  two  creeds.  Popery  was  the  horrible  ogre. 
Protestants  were  everywhere  united  in  their  abhorrence  and  fear  of  it. 
There  had  been  no  complaint  or  even  suggestion  of  misrule  as  far  as 
Lieutenant-Governor  Nicholson  was  concerned.  He  was  a  straightfor- 
ward English  official,  obeying  orders  to  the  letter.  He  was  a  devout  and 
consistent  Episcopalian,  never  omitting  his  public  Sunday  devotions.  All 
at  once,  however,  he  was  suspected  of  intrigue  and  double  dealing.  Why 
might  not  he  be  a  tool  of  Catholic  James  and  secretly  at  work  in  the  hit- 
ter's interests  ?  Some  one  told  how  he  knelt  to  say  mass  in  the  king's 
tent  on  Hounslow  Heath,  three  years  before !  It  was  retold  again  and 
again,  and  men's  faces  paled  while  they  listened.  Nobody  stopped  to 
consider  that  any  courtly  gentleman  would  have  done  the  same  thing  if 
accidentally  present  on  such  an  occasion. 

The  resident  members  of  the  Governor's  council  were  Frederick  Phil- 
ipse,  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  and  Nicholas  Bayard.  They  were  all 
members  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  and  the  last  two  were  deacons 
in  good  and  regular  standing.  They  were  men  of  wealth  and  of  aristo- 
cratic tastes.  Philipse  was  sixty-three  years  of  age,  dignified,  elegant,  and 
conservative.  He  could  balance  himself  between  two  fires  with  more  tact 
and  less  danger  than  any  other  man  in  our  history.  Van  Cortlandt  was 
forty-six  years  of  age,  and,  besides  holding  a  commission  from  the  crown 
as  counselor  to  the  governor,  was  the  mayor  of  the  city.  He  had  been  a 
popular  public  man  for  more  than  twenty  years,  but  at  this  critical  mo- 
ment a  whisper  was  started  that  he  was  a  secret  Catholic,  and  it  seemed 
to  be  verified  from  the  fact  that  he  took  part  a  few  months  before  in  the 
celebration  of  the  birth  of  the  Prince  of  Wales,  and  became  so  hilarious 
that  he  threw  his  periwig  with  its  long  flowing  ringlets  into  the  air. 
Bayard  was  the  younger  of  the  three  and  occupied  a  distinguished  posi- 
tion as  counselor  to  the  governor  and  commander-in-chief  of  the  New 
York  militia.  He  was  fond  of  display  and  conspicuously  imperious.  He 
was  bright,  genial,  witty,  quick-tempered  and  vindictive.  He  had  many 
warm  personal  friends  among  his  equals  socially  and  politically,  but  he 
was  feared  and  disliked  by  his  inferiors. 

Nicholson  and  his  council  met  on  the  2d  of  March,  and  re- 

Murch  2 

'  solved  that  Plowman,  the  kiug's  collector  (who  was  a  Catholic), 
should  bring  the  public  money,  which  he  had  hitherto  kept  at  his  lodgings 
in  a  private  house  some  distance  away,  to  the  port  for  safe-keeping.  A 
strong  chest  was  provided,  and  locked  and  sealed  by  the  collector  himself, 
until  orders  should  arrive  from  England.    This  precautionary  movement 


THE  PUBLIC  MONEY. 


343 


was  the  immediate  occasion  of  a  wide-spread  terror,  which  was  confined, 
however,  to  the  lower  and  more  illiterate  classes. 

When  news  came  of  the  imprisonment  of  Andros,  Nicholson 

.,     *  .  .  .      April  26. 

requested  the  common  council  of  the  city  to  meet  in  session  with 
his  special  council  in  order  to  advise  more  intelligently  as  to  the  proper 
course  to  pursue  in  order  to  keep  the  country  cpiiet.  They  met  the 
next  day  in  the  City  Hall.  The  common  council  consisted  of  John 
Lawrence,  Francis  Rombouts,  William  Merritt,  Thomas  Crundall,  Paulus 
Richards,1  Johannes  Kip,  Balthazar  Bayard,  Anthony  De  Milt,  Teunis 
De  Kay,  and  Peter  De  Lauoy.  It  was  then  resolved  to  call  in  the  chief 
military  officers  in  the  afternoon.  There  was  perfect  harmony  in  the  meet- 
ing ;  and  in  view  of  the  jealousies  and  fears  of  the  inhabitants  occasioned 
by  a  rumor  that  war  had  broken  out  between  the  English  and  French,  it 
was  unanimously  agreed  that  the  city  must  be  fortified.  Aldermen  Crun- 
dall, Kip,  De  Lanoy,  and  Balthazar  Bayard,  together  with  Captains  Abra- 
ham De  Peyster  and  Jacob  Leisler,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  survey 
the  city,  and  determine  upon  the  points  most  exposed.  Money  was 
scarce  and  it  was  decided  to  apply  the  revenues  from  the  first  of  May, 
towards  paying  for  the  new  defenses. 

Nicholson  and  the  three  gentlemen  of  his  council  sent  for  the  justices 
of  the  peace  and  the  military  officers  of  the  various  counties  in  the  prov- 
ince and  enjoined  upon  them  strict  care  and  watchfulness.  They  also 
wrote  letters  to  Winthrop,  Treat,  Allyn,  Younge,  Pinchon,  Clarke,  New- 
bury, and  Smith,  of  New  England,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy,  it 
being  duplicated  and  sent  to  each.2 

1  Tiiulus  Richards  was  the  son  of  a  French  nobleman".  The  crest  of  his  coat-of-arms  was  a 
lion's  head  in  silver;  the  motto,  "I  bend  but  break  not."  He  was  driven  into  Holland 
through  religious  persecution  in  1650.  Ten  years  afterward  he  came  and  settled  in  New  Am- 
sterdam, and  in  160 1,  married  Gelatie,  daughter  of  the  celebrated  Anetje  Jans.  He  became 
one  of  the  leading  men  in  the  colony  and  city.  He  was  an  alderman  from  1686  to  1697. 
His  house  stood  upon  the  corner  of  Whitehall  Street  and  Broadway.  His  son,  Stephen  Rich- 
ards, born  in  1670,  married  Maria,  daughter  of  Johannes  Van  Brugh,  and  grand-daughter  of 
Anetje  Jans.  They  had  nine  children.  One  daughter,  Elizabeth,  married  Nicholas  Van 
Taerling.  Paul  Richards,  the  eldest  son,  organized  a  large  mercantile  firm,  which  included 
his  five  brothers,  and  transacted  business  on  an  extensive  scale  with  Europe  and  the  East  and 
West  Indies.  They  had  business  houses  in  New  Haven,  Philadelphia,  Norfolk,  and  in  the 
Island  of  Bermuda.  He  was  a  prominent  man,  an  intimate  personal  friend  of  Lieutenant- 
Governor  De  Lancey,  several  years  a  member  of  the  Assembly,  and  at  one  time,  in  1734,  ap- 
pointed counselor  to  the  governor  in  place  of  Rip  Van  Dam.  In  1753,  he  was  sent  with 
Sir  William  Johnson  to  represent  the  city  and  county  of  New  York  in  a  conference  between 
Governor  Clinton  and  the  Mohawk  Indians.  He  was  one  of  the  gentlemen  to  whom  the  char- 
ter of  Columbia  College  was  granted,  and  made  a  bequest  of  four  hundred  pounds  sterling  to 
that  institution.  His  brother,  John  Richards,  married  Elizabeth  Van  Rensselaer,  and  their 
son  Stephen  married  Margaret  Livingston. 

3  New  York  Hist,  Soc,  Coll.,  1868,  p.  248. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Sr. 

Having  received  the  surprising  news  that  the  Inhabitants  of  Boston  have  sett 
up  a  Gouvernment  for  themselves  and  disabled  his  Excellency  the  Capt.  Generall 
and  Gouvernor  in  Chieff  from  acting  in  the  gouvernment  These  are  therefore 
to  desire  you  That  you  would  come  with  all  expedition  to  advise  and  consult 
with  us  what  proper  is  to  be  done  for  the  safety  and  welfare  off  the  Gouvern- 
ment this  Citty  and  part  of  the  gouvernment  being  resolved  to  continue  in 
their  station  till  further  order.    Soe  not  doubting  off  yr  Complyance  Remaine 

Yr  friends  &  humble  Servants 
Fr.  Nicholson 
Fred.  Philipse 
Step.  Van  Cortlandt, 
Nich.  Bayard. 

New  Yorcke,  1689  Aprill  the  27th. 

The  city  militia  consisted  of  six  free  companies'  called  train-bands, 
embraced  in  a  colonel's  command.  As  many  of  the  regular  soldiers  were 
in  Maine  it  was  the  only  defense  of  New  York,  with  the  exception  of  a 
sergeant's  guard  of  royal  troops  which  garrisoned  the  fort.  Nicholson 
proposed  that  one  of  these  train-bands  should  mount  guard  every  night, 
supposing  it  would  give  the  people  a  greater  sense  of  security.  Bayard 
was  their  colonel;  and  the  six  captains  were  Abraham  T)c  Peyster,  Johan- 
nes De  Bruyn,1  Gabriel  Minvielle,  Charles  Lodwyck,  Nicholas  Stuyves- 
ant,  and  Jacob  Leisler.  De  Peyster  was  a  rich  and  aristocratic  merchant 
of  fine  intelligence  and  excellent  parts,  the  son  of  Johannes  De  Peyster. 
He  was  of  French  descent,  as  was  also  De  Bruyn  and  Minvielle.  The 
latter  had  been  a  resident  of  New  York  for  about  twenty  years.  His  wife 
was  the  daughter  of  John  Lawrence ;  and  he  was  at  one  time  mayor  of 
the  city.  Lodwyck  was  an  English  merchant  and  an  old-time  Whig  of 
the  deepest  dye.  He  was  a  man  of  irreproachable  character,  and  of  no 
mean  ability.  Five  years  afterward  he  was  elected  mayor  of  the  city. 
Stuyvesant  was  the  son  of  the  old  governor,  and  about  forty  years  of  age. 

1  Johannes  De  Bruyn  was  the  first  of  the  name  in  this  country.  He  was  of  French  descent, 
and  the  ancestor  of  the  New  York  family  of  Brown.  Indeed  his  name  is  sometimes  spelled 
both  ways,  De  Bruyn,  and  Brown,  in  the  same  manuscript  document.  He  was  an  educated 
young  man  with  considerable  property.  He  commanded  all  the  colonial  forces  in  the  war  with 
the  Indians  just  after  the  Colonial  Revolution.  His  son,  W.  Brown,  married  Elizabeth 
Taerling,  the  granddaughter  of  Stephen  Richards,  and  held  many  important  positions.  Their 
son  Stephen  Richards  Brown,  born  176f>,  had  a  daughter  Maria  who  married  Oliver  Du  Bois. 
The  children  of  the  latter  were  as  follows  :  Stephen  ;  Richard  ;  Adeline  ;  Catharine.  Ade- 
line married  Samuel  Russel,  and  her  daughter  Almira  married  Major-General  Hancock. 
Catharine  married  William  Bennett,  and  her  children  were  Helen,  Emma,  and  Louisa.  Helen 
married  General  S.  S.  Carroll,  of  Carroll  ton,  and  Emma  married  Leopold  Bolivia.  The  chil- 
dren of  the  latter  are  Laura,  Maurice,  and  Bertha. 


JACOB  LEISLER. 


345 


He  was  in  possession  of  the  family  estate  and  lived  on  the  farm  near 
Thirteenth  Street.  He  had  lost  his  first  wife,  Maria  Beekman,  and  had 
recently  married  Elizabeth  Slechtenhorst. 

Jacob  Leisler  was  the  hero  of  the  hour.  He  was  a  German,  and  not  a 
Dutchman  as  has  generally  been  supposed.  He  was  born  at  Frankfort  - 
on-the-Maine.  Of  his  origin  and  early  life  very  little  is  known.  He  had 
been  a  resident  of  New  York  about  thirty  years.  He  married,  in  1663, 
Elsie  (Tymens),  step-daughter  of  Govert  Loockermans,  and  widow  of  the 
wealthy  Peter  Cornelisen  Vanderveen.1  He  was  thus  connected  by  mar- 
riage with  Van  Cortlandt  and  Philipse,  and  he  was  the  brother-in-law  of 
Balthazar  Bayard.  He  was  a  deacon  in  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  and 
a  thriving  man  of  business.  He  had  never  held  any  public  office  of  im- 
portance, but  his  standing  was  respectable,  such  that  in  1674  he  was 
chosen  one  of  the  commissioners  (Martin  Cregier  and  Francis  Rombouts 
being  his  associates)  to  provide  means  for  the  defense  of  the  city,  and  he 
was  assessed  as  "  one  of  the  most  affluent  inhabitants."  2 

He  was  a  man  of  energetic  will  and  great  force  of  character,  but  he  had 
little  education  and 
comparatively  speak- 

ing  no  manners.    He  ^S)  - 

hated  the  crown,  and  /f^f  '  /} 


rancorous  though  con- 
sistent party  man.  He  was  loud  and  coarse  in  conversation,  and  when 
angry  would  swear  like  a  porter.  He  said  bitter  things  which  he  readily 
forgot  when  pacified,  but  which  others  remembered  to  his  sorrow  and 
dishonor.  His  native  quickness  and  sagacity  would  hare  rendered  him 
eminent  as  a  leader,  but  prosperity  made  him  self-sufficient  and  boastful ; 
and  his  want  of  knowledge  of  the  world  muddled  his  understanding.  His 
integrity  was  unquestionable,  his  loyalty  unimpeachable,  and  he  had  a 
strong  but  distorted  sense  of  duty  and  honor.  In  short,  he  possessed  the 
elements  of  executive  power  without  the  balancing  characteristics.  He 

1  Marriage  Register  of  the  Collegiate  R.  D.  Church  in  New  York.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leisler 
had  seven  children  :  Susanna,  b.  February  10,  1664  ;  Catharine,  b.  November  8,  1665  J  Jacob, 
b.  November  13,  1667  ;  Mary,  b.  December  12,  1669;  Johannes,  b.  December  20,  1671  ;  Hes- 
ter, b.  October  8,  1673  ;  and  Francina,  b.  December  16,  1676.  Register  of  Baptisms  in  Col- 
legiate R.  D.  Church. 

2  Minutes  of  the  Council  of  the  Administration  of  Commanders  Ever/sen  and  Bincks,  Feb.  1, 
1674.    Assessment  Lists,  Feb.  19,  1674. 


the  Church  of  Eng- 
land; he  was  a  zealous 
champion  of  Belgian 
republicanism,  and  a 


Leisler's  Autograph. 


346 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


was  of  medium  height,  robust  frame,  full  round  figure,  austere  visage, 
dressed  carelessly,  made  long  prayers,  and  was  rigid  in  the  performance  of 
every  Christian  duty.  He  had  some  legal  knowledge  picked  up  in  practice 
of  no  very  high  kind,  and  he  had  used  it  in  one  or  two  lawsuits  to  the 
great  pecuniary  disadvantage  of  Van  Cortland t  and  Bayard,  an  offense 
which  had  terminated  all  social  intercourse  between  the  families. 

He  was  an  importer  of  liquors,  and  on  the  29th  one  of  his  vessels 
entered  the  harbor  with  a  cargo  of  wine  on  board.    He  refused 

April  29  . 

to  pay  the  duties,  which  amounted  to  one  hundred  dollars,  on  the 
ground  that  Collector  Plowman  being  a  Catholic  was  not  qualified  to 
receive  the  customs  under  the  new  power.  The  case  was  discussed  at 
the  meeting  of  the  counselors,  aldermen,  and  military  officers,  and  the 
majority  were  of  the  opinion  that  the  present  official  structure  was  sound 
until  contrary  orders  came  from  the  new  sovereigns.  Leisler  became 
very  much  exasperated,  and  swore  he  would  not  pay  a  penny  to  Plow- 
man ;  he  used  language  more  forcible  than  elegant,  and  finally  turned  on 
his  heel  and  left  the  council-chamber  before  the  matter  was  adjusted. 

As  was  feared,  others  declined  to  pay  duties,  shielding  themselves 
Apni  30.  unfjer  ^e  excuse  which  Leisler  had  advanced.  In  apprehension  of 
an  attack  from  some  foreign  foe,  watchmen  were  stationed  at  Coney  Island 
to  give  an  alarm  if  more  than  three  vessels  should  come  together  within 
Sandy  Hook.  Nicholson  and  his  council  wrote  to  the  Plantation  Com- 
mittee over  the  water,  expressing  their  regret  at  the  want  of  definite  in- 
structions, and  picturing  the  painful  embarrassment  under  which  they 
groaned. 

The  greatest  activity  prevailed  about  the  new  fortifications.  The 
council  met  daily.  The  Indians  were  carefully  watched,  and  an  order 
given  that  no  rum  should  be  sold  them.  But  the  most  serious 
May11'  mischief  was  feared  from  the  French.  All  at  once  an  ominous 
cloud  that  had  been  hanging  along  the  eastern  end  of  Long  Island  took 
shape.  The  counties  of  Suffolk  and  Queens  displaced  their  civil  and 
military  officers  and  chose  others.  Presently  the  Long  Island  militia 
began  to  clamor  for  their  pay.  Some  ill-affected  and  restless  men  anions 
them  came  to  the  city  on  foot  in  squads,  and  hanging  round  the  fort 
discoursed  largely  upon  individual  freedom,  and  said  Nicholson  was  pre- 
paring to  betray  New  York  into  the  hands  of  some  foreign  power.  They 
picked  up  whatever  gossip  was  afloat  and  told  it,  with  additions,  at  every 
farm-house  on  their  way  home. 

Every  day  developed  some  new  source  of  alarm.  The  officers  felt 
themselves  surrounded  by  stealthy  foes.  Atad  the  common  people  were 
growing  into  the  belief  that  their  superiors  were  full  of  fieudish  plana 


WILD  HUMORS. 


347 


and  purposes.  Rumors  when  once  started  swelled  into  marvelous  pro- 
portions as  they  passed  from  mouth  to  mouth.  Some  said  that  Staten 
Island  was  full  of  roaming  papists.  Others  declared  that  Nicholson  had 
been  seen  to  cross  the  bay  in  a  small  boat  to  hold  "  cabals  "  with  them  ; 
and  that  King  James  was  soon  to  land  on  the  Jersey  beach  with  an  army 
of  French.  A  few  of  the  Long  Island  militia  actually  took  up  arms  and 
came  within  fourteen  miles  of  the  city,  ostensibly  to  be  near  at  hand  in 
case  of  an  attack,  but  as  was  supposed  by  the  men  in  power,  to  watch 
their  opportunity  for  seizing  the  fort  and  plundering  the  town. 

It  was  clear  that  there  were  vague  ideas  being  nurtured  about  a  dawn- 
ing millennium  when  the  popular  element  should  shoot  miraculously  to 
the  top  round  of  the  governing  ladder,  and  aristocracy  come  to  earth  and 
henceforth  wield  the  plow  and  the  hammer.  The  stupidity  on  that  sub- 
ject which  prevailed  among  the  humbler  classes  was  by  no  means  remark- 
able. The  era  of  general  intelligence,  of  printing-presses,  newspapers, 
books,  and  schools,  had  not  yet  arrived  to  bless  America.  The  condition 
of  laborers  was  in  no  wise  above  the  serfs  in  foreign  countries.  They  were 
easily  swayed  and  at  the  mercy  of  ignorant  middle-men  who  were  scarcely 
wiser  than  themselves.  And  no  influence  was  quite  as  potent  as  what 
stirred  their  superstitious  fears. 

Many  believed  that  the  leading  Dutch  citizens  were  going  over 
to  popery.  It  was  suddenly  reported  that  Ex-Governor  Dongan  May-15' 
was  the  instigator  of  an  infernal  plot  to  destroy  New  York.  It  was  true 
that  he  was  fitting  out  an  armed  brigantine,  but  for  tpiite  a  different 
object.  On  the  evening  of  the  21st  of  May,  some  persons  appeared 
before  Colonel  Bayard  with  a  petition  (unsigned)  asking  that  the  Roman 
Catholics  in  the  city  be  disarmed.  Their  conduct  indicated  serious  alarm. 
The  next  morning  the  subject  and  the  petition  were  earnestly  discussed 
in  council.    There  were  ridiculously  few  Catholics  in  either  city 

May  22. 

or  province.  Among  the  soldiers  there  were  not  over  twenty  of 
that  faith,  "  and  they,"  said  Colonel  Bayard,  "  are  old  cripples."  But  it 
seemed  best  to  gratify  the  people  as  far  as  possible,  hence  Mayor  Van 
Cortlandt  sent  for  the  authors  of  the  petition  to  come  and  sign  their 
names.  They  refused,  and  at  the  same  time  demanded  an  answer  in 
writing,  or  to  have  their  petition  returned.  The  mayor  went  to  them  and 
assured  them  that  their  wishes  should  be  respected,  but  they  received 
him  ungraciously.  Captains  Leisler  and  Lodwyck  were  sent  finally  to 
return  the  petition  and  answer  its  writers  verbally. 

Major  Baxter,  one  of  the  counselors  from  Albany,  and  com- 

Meiv  27 

mander  of  the  fort  in  that  place,  arrived  in  New  York  on  the  27th, 

and  requested  of  Nicholson  and  his  council  permission  to  withdraw  from 
22 


348 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


the  province,  on  account  of  the  jealousies  which  had  arisen  concerning  his 
religion.  His  judgment  was  approved,  and  he  was  permitted  to  retire. 
An  ensign  in  New  York  was  relieved  from  duty  at  the  same  time  on 
account  of  his  avowed  Catholicity.    The  two  men  proceeded  to  Virginia. 

But  the  tide  was  rising.  Grievances  seemed  to  multiply.  The  merest 
trifles  became  momentous.  Every  act  of  Nicholson  was  magnified  into 
something  of  diabolical  intent.  On  the  evening  of  May  30,  it  was 
'  the  turn  of  Captain  De  Peyster's  company  to  mount  guard.  Lieu- 
tenant Henry  Cuyler  ordered  one  of  his  men  to  stand  as  sentinel  at  the 
sally-port.  The  sergeant  of  the  regular  soldiers  in  garrison  objected  that 
the  lieutenant-governor  had  given  no  such  directions.  Upon  Nicholson's 
return  late  at  night,  the  incident  was  reported,  and  Cuyler  was  summoned 
to  attend  him  in  his  bedchamber.  Irritated  at  the  breach  of  military 
discipline,  Nicholson  asked,  "  Who  is  commander  in  this  fort,  you  or  I  ? " 
Cuyler  replied  that  he  had  acted  under  Captain  De  Peyster's  orders.  In 
a  passion  Nicholson  exclaimed,  "  I  would  rather  see  the  town  on  fire  than 
be  commanded  by  you  " ;  then,  seeing  a  stalwart  corporal  who  had  accom- 
panied Cuyler  as  interpreter  standing  by  the  door  with  a  drawn  sword,  he 
seized  a  pistol  and  ordered  them  both  out  of  the  room. 

Before  sunrise  the  next  morning  the  story  was  buzzed  all  over 

May  31  .       '  . 

town  with  absurd  exaggerations.  It  was  reported  and  believed 
that  Lieutenant-Governor  Nicholson  had  threatened  to  burn  New  York. 
And  it  was  said  also  that  he  was  planning  to  massacre  all  the  Dutch  in- 
habitants who  should  attend  church  in  the  fort  on  the  following  Sabbath. 
The  falsity  of  the  rumor  seemed  to  give  it  greater  currency.  No  con- 
tradiction could  satisfy  the  people. 

The  lieutenant-governor  went  to  the  City  Hall  at  the  usual  hour  to 
meet  his  own  and  the  Common  Council,  and  Mayor  Van  Cortlandt  sent 
for  the  militia  captains.  The  latter  appeared,  all  but  Captain  Leisler. 
Nicholson  explained  what  had  occurred  the  night  before.  But  Cuyler 
maintained  his  version  of  the  affair,  and  finally  Nicholson  in  high  temper 
dismissed  him  from  the  service  for  impertinence.  Captain  De  Peyster 
sympathized  with  the  disgraced  officer  and  retired  in  anger. 

Presently  drums  began  to  beat.  Workmen  dropped  their  tools  and  im- 
plements of  labor,  and  rushed  along  the  streets,  and  women  and  servants 
ran  from  the  houses  with  white  scared  faces.  A  panic  spread  through 
the  town.  Terror,  and  a  dread  of  no  one  knew  what,  rendered  the  scene 
almost  hideous.  Captain  Leisler's  company  mustered  tumultuously  before 
the  door  of  his  house,  led  by  Sergeant  Joost  Stoll.  The  latter  brandished 
his  sword,  and  shouted,  "  We  are  sold,  we  are  betrayed,  we  are  going  to  be 
murdered ! "  and  then  marched  to  the  fort  foDowed  by  the  rabble.  They 


REVOLUTION  IN  NEW  YORK. 


349 


were  received  and  admitted  by  Lieutenant  Cuyler ;  and  a  few  minutes 
later  Captain  Leisler  appeared  and  assumed  command. 

Colonel  Bayard  went  at  the  request  of  the  council  at  the  City  Hall  to 
endeavor  to  bring  the  muti- 
neers to  reason,  and  induce 
them  to  disperse ;  but  he 
was  informed  by  Stoll  in  the 
most  insulting  manner,  that 
they  "  disowned  all  authority 
of  the  government."  "  He  re- 
turned to  announce  that  his 
commands  were  disregarded, 
and  that  most  of  the  city 
militia  were  in  rebellion.  It 
was  then  determined  to  hold 
another  session  of  the  gov- 
ernor's and  common  council 
during  the  evening. 

Captain  Lodwyck's  company  was  to  mount  guard  that  night,  according 
to  the  previoiis  arrangement  of  rotation  in  duty.  A  little  before  dark 
Leisler  sent  an  armed  posse  to  demand  from  Nicholson  the  keys  of  the  fort. 
The  lieutenant-governor  was  at  the  house  of  Frederick  Philipse,  where  he 
had  gone  to  supper.  He  declined  to  comply,  and  repaired  to  the  City 
Hall  to  advise  with  his  council  how  to  act  in  such  "  a  confused  business." 
An  hour  later,  Captain  Lodwyck  appeared  at  the  head  of  his  company, 
and  entering  the  council-chamber  claimed  the  keys.  There  seemed  but 
one  course  to  pursue.  The  military  had  turned  against  the  government, 
and  the  government  was  powerless.  Bloodshed  must  be  avoided  if  possi- 
ble, and  perhaps  by  yielding  gracefully  the  people  might  be  brought  to 
their  senses  and  their  former  obedience.  The  keys  were  accordingly  sur- 
rendered. 

Nicholson  was  a  good  soldier,  but  hampered  in  all  his  movements  by 
English  customs  and  forms.  He  was  not  blessed  with  a  directing  mind, 
and  could  act  only  under  instructions.  His  counselors  were  in  the  same 
predicament.  Instructions  had,  indeed,  been  sent  to  their  imprisoned  gov- 
ernor-in-chief at  Boston,  which  had  they  reached  New  York  would  have 
saved  the  province  from  a  series  of  disasters. 

Meanwhile  the  militia  captains  were  sadly  perplexed.  Some  of  them 
were  afraid  of  the  results  of  the  outbreak,  and  regarded  it  as  unnecessary 
and  ill-timed.  Captain  Minvielle,  Captain  De  Peyster,  and  Captain  De 
Bruyn  spent  the  greater  part  of  the  evening  at  the  council-chamber  in 


Leisler's  House  in  the  Strand. 


350  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


warm  discussion  with  the  officers  of  the  government,  who  were  their 
neighbors  and  friends.  Leisler  was  at  the  fort,  descanting  largely  upon 
liberty.  He  denounced  popery  and  kings.  He  enlarged  upon  the  uni- 
form misrule  by  which  James  had  brought  matters  to  this  crisis.  He 
proclaimed  his  loyalty  to  the  new  Protestant  sovereigns.  He  pictured 
the  danger  which  threatened  the  city  as  imminent.  Nicholson  was  a 
traitor.  He  had  accomplices  about  him,  and  there  was  no  cpiestion  but 
that  Sunday  would  be  a  veritable  St.  Bartholomew's  day. 

The  captains  came  together  late  in  the  evening,  and  after  much  hesi- 
tation on  the  part  of  the  majority,  finally  agreed  to  govern  alternately 
until  orders  came  from  England.  Leisler  drafted  a  "  Declaration,"  stating 
how  New  York  was  threatened  by  Nicholson,  and  promising  to  hold  and 
guard  the  fort  until  the  proper  person  should  arrive  to  take  command.  This 
paper  the  captains  signed  upon  a  drum.1 

The  next  morning  there  was  a  reaction  in  public  feeling.  The 
captains  were  not  satisfied  with  the  course  events  were  taking. 
They  were  shrewd,  sensible  men,  and  doubted  the  policy  of  the  movement. 
After  an  excited  consultation,  in  which  opinions  differed  materially,  Cap- 
tain De  Peyster,  Captain  Stuyvesant,  Captain  Minvielle,  and  Captain  De 
Bruyn  visited  Colonel  Bayard,  and  requested  him  to  take  sole  command 
in  opposition  to  the  lieutenant-governor.  Bayard  declined.  "Gentlemen, 
there  is  no  occasion  for  a  revolution,"  he  said.  Nicholson  was  honest  and 
trustworthy.  A  little  patience,  and  orders  would  come  to  establish  every- 
thing upon  a  proper  basis.  During  the  forenoon  Philipse,  Van  Cortlandt, 
and  Bayard  mixed  freely  with  the  people,  and  tried  to  quiet  their  appre- 
hensions respecting  Nicholson.  At  one  time  it  seemed  as  if  they  would 
succeed  in  restoring  order  and  authority.  But  counter  influences  were  at 
work.  There  were  men  who  blazed  forth  in  coarse  invectives,  and  ac- 
cused the  counselors  themselves  of  complicity  in  the  traitorous  designs  of 
Nicholson.  Leisler  said  they  were  all  "  a  pack  of  rogues  and  papists," 
and  were  contriving  together  to  hold  the  government  for  King  James.  It 
was  a  black  Saturday  for  New  York. 

On  Sunday  it  was  Leisler's  turn  to  mount  guard,  and  he  had 
'  matters  pretty  much  in  his  own  hands.  He  had  wrought  himself 
into  a  frenzy  of  political  foresight,  and  probably  believed  his  own  proph- 
ecies. New  York  was  to  have  a  Dutch  sovereign,  who  would  favor  his 
own  people  by  permitting  them  to  govern  themselves.  He  was  diffuse 
upon  the  subject  of  self-government.  Down  with  aristocracy,  down  with 
tyranny  and  oppression.    Let  the  people  henceforth  dictate.    And  the 

1  This  "  Declaration  "  was  printed  several  weeks  afterward  by  Samuel  Green  of  Huston.  In 
Bonjc  of  the  reports  it  has  been  confounded  with  a  second  paper  signed  on  the  3d  of  .lune. 


A  BLACK  SATURDAY. 


351 


people  naturally  enough  shouted  their  applause.  He  went  on  and  ex- 
plained the  nature  of  the  conflict  between  church  and  state,  —  that  is, 
according  to  his  understanding  of  it,  —  and  again  the  people  applauded. 
He  warned  them  against  the  "  dogs  and  traitors  "  who  were  only  waiting 
for  the  opportunity  to  commence  a  horrid  massacre. 

Many  a  wistful  eye  through  that  long  and  weary  day  watched  with 
cruel  expectation  for  indications  of  a  death-storm.  And  the  common 
soldiers  boastfully  declared  that  the  town  would  have  been  running  rivers 
of  blood  but  for  Mr.  Leisler.  He  notified  all  the  men  belonging 
to  the  militia  companies  to  come  on  Monday  morning  to  the 
fort  at  a  certain  signal  which  would  be  given,  and  to  obey  no  officer  who 
should  attempt  to  hinder  them.  The  signal  was  to  be  the  firing  of  guns. 
The  maneuver  was  facilitated  by  the  arrival  of  a  ship  from  Barbadoes. 
A  rumor  spread  that  four  or  five  French  ships  were  inside  of  Sandy 
Hook.  The  soldiers  ran  in  great  disorder  to  the  parade-ground  in  front 
of  the  fort.  Captain  Lodwyck  hurried  to  the  house  of  Philipse,  where 
Nicholson,  Van  Cortlandt,  and  Bayard  were -assembled,  and  in  behalf  of 
Captains  De  Peyster,  Stuyvesant,  Minvielle,  and  De  Bruyn,  desired 
Bayard  to  take  command  as  formerly,  for  without  his  orders  each  of  the 
above-named  captains  had  refused  to  appear  in  arms.  Colonel  Bayard 
replied  that  his  orders  had  been  so  repeatedly  disobeyed  by  both  officers 
and  men,  and  the  government  being  powerless  to  sustain  his  commission 
while  the  fort  was  detained,  he  hardly  thought  it  worth  while  for  him  to 
appear  only  as  a  private  soldier.  But  an  enemy  was  supposed  to  be 
approaching',  and  the  lives  and  property  of  the  citizens  were  at  stake ; 
the  captains  had  positively  refused  to  act  without  his  commands  ;  hence 
the  lieutenant-governor  and  council  gave  order  that  he  should  proceed 
according  to  his  commission  as  colonel  of  the  regiment  to  give  suitable 
orders  in  the  emergency.  In  a  few  minutes  he  was  on  the  ground.  The 
captains  met  him  with  respectful  deference  ;  but  the  men  were  rude  and 
unmanageable. 

The  falsity  of  the  alarm  was  quickly  discovered,  and  the  troops  ordered 
to  disperse.  Instead  of  obeying  the  colonel  or  their  captains,  they 
crowded  in  a  noisy  and  disorderly  manner  towards  the  fort,  shouting, 
"  To  Captain  Leisler,  to  Captain  Leisler,"  and  threatened  all  those 
who  tried  to  restrain  them.  They  pressed  inside  the  gate,  and,  seeing 
the  discomfited  captains  halting  in  their  rear,  they  wildly  swore  ven- 
geance upon  them  unless  they  came  in  also.  "  We  will  pull  down  your 
houses  over  your  heads,"  and  "You  are  vile  traitorous  papists  like  Nich- 
olson and  his  dogs,"  rang  upon  the  air.  Prudence  seemed  the  better 
part  of  valor,  and  the  unwilling  officers  yielded  to  the  popular  clamor. 


352 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Leisler  had  remained  within  the  fort,  and  was  ready  with  a  document 
similar  to  the  one  prepared  on  Friday,  which  he  read  aloud  as  soon  as  he 
could  obtain  a  hearing.  It  was  received  with  riotous  demonstrations  of 
approval.  Signers  were  called  for,  and  over  four  hundred  men  put  their 
names,  or  their  marks  to  it,  for  a  large  proportion  of  them  could  neither 
read  nor  write.  It  was  signed  also  by  the  captains  and  subordinate 
officers. 

Colonel  Bayard  retired  from  the  scene  as  soon  as  he  saw  that  he  could 
be  of  no  use  in  stemming  the  rebellion.  In  the  "west  room  "  of  Philipse's 
city  mansion  Nicholson  and  his  three  counselors  remained  all  day;  with- 
out soldiers  and  without  fort,  they  were  indeed  but  the  figure-head  of  a 
disabled  government.  In  the  afternoon  the  master  of  the  ship  from  Bar- 
badoes  landed,  but  Leisler  took  care  to  have  him  conducted  directly  to 
the  fort,  where  his  papers  were  examined.  The  mayor  and  aldermen  of 
the  city  learned  through  a  passenger  that  William  and  Mary  had  been 
proclaimed  at  Barbadoes.  They  even  saw  a  copy  of  the  London  Gazette 
which  contained  the  order  for  continuing  all  Protestants  in  office  in  Eng- 
land. The  hope  was  thus  created  that  relief  would  shortly  arrive  in  the 
shape  of  direct  instructions. 

But  Sir  William  Phipps  had  clogged  the  way.  He  was  so  zealous  for 
the  establishment  of  a  commonwealth  in  Massachusetts  that  he  prevented 
the  transmission  of  William's  order  continuing  all  persons  in  office  in  the 
colonies.  When  he  himself  arrived  in  Boston,  his  first  act  was  to  advise 
the  Puritans  to  bend  to  circumstances,  and  proclaim  William  and  Mary 
without  delay.  The  General  Court  convened  and  voted  an  address  to 
the  new  sovereigns,  which  contained  happily  expressed  felicitations,  and 
a  prayer  for  the  restoration  of  the  old  Massachusetts  charter  with  new 
privileges.  Dr.  Mather  stood  guard  over  the  interests  of  Massachusetts 
in  England,  and  so  explained  the  proceeding  against  Andros,  that 
William  was  half  convinced  of  its  justice.  At  least,  he  was  too  nearly 
overwhelmed  with  the  complicated  affairs  of  his  new  government  to 
enter  into  any  special  investigation  of  its  remote  branches  while  there 
was  an  outward  show  of  peace.  He  therefore  directed  that  the  govern- 
ment which  the  Bostonians  had  established  for  themselves  should  he 
continued  until  further  notice. 

The  next  occurrence  of  any  note  in  New  York  was  the  arrival  of  Philip 
French,  who  had  been  in  England  on  private  mercantile  business 

Une  '  and  had  returned  in  the  same  vessel  with  Sir  William  Plumps. 
As  soon  as  it  was  rumored  that  lit;  was  on  the  way  from  Boston,  overland, 
Leisler  placed  sentinels  and  armed  men  some  distance  out  of  town  to 
watch  for  him  and  conduct  him  to  the  fort.    He  was  the  bearer  of  letters 


THE  DISABLED  GOVERNMENT. 


353 


to  different  persons,  which  were  all  opened,  and  such  as  were  addressed  to 
the  lieutenant-governor  and  counselors  were  read  aloud  to  the  soldiers. 
French  was  able  to  give  an  intelligent  account  of  what  had  transpired  in 
England,  but  he  had  no  idea  where  the  orders  for  New  York  had  gone  to, 
if  there  had  been  any,  which  every  one  believed.  The  next  day  a  vessel 
entered  the  bay  from  Boston,  and  Leisler,  on  the  alert,  received  the  cap- 
tain with  military  parade  and  took  his  papers.  Two  letters  addressed  to 
Mayor  Van  Cortlandt  were  first  opened  and  read  aloud  in  the  fort,  and 
then  forwarded  to  him.  The  act  was  regarded  as  an  outrage,  and  the 
indignation  of  the  helpless  officers  of  the  government  was  beyond  expres- 
sion. Nicholson  thought  it  wise  to  go  to  England  and  render  a  personal 
account  of  the  condition  of  affairs,  and  this  course  was  warmly  approved 
by  his  associates. 

Leisler  wrote  letters  to  the  leading  men  in  Boston  and  in  Hartford. 
In  one  addressed  to  Major  Nathan  Gold,  under  date  of  June  7, 
he  said  he  wanted  to  have  "one  trusted  man  sent  to  England  to  June7' 
procure  some  privileges " ;  and,  assuming  to  speak  for  New  York,  he 
added, "  I  wish  we  may  have  part  in  your  charter,  being,  as  I  understand, 
in  the  latitude."  This  last  passage  is  a  revelation  of  ignorance  which 
shows  that  he  was  acting  independent  of  advice  at  that  time  ;  for  among 
the  captains  were  men  of  education  and  intelligence,  who  might  have  told 
him  better  if  he  had  not  been  too  self-sufficient  to  ignore  the  necessity  of 
counsel.  He  penned  an  address  to  William  and  Mary,  for  the  "  Militia 
and  Inhabitants  of  New  York,"  giving  a  tedious  and  long-drawn-out 
narrative  of  recent  events,  and  promising  entire  submission  to  their 
pleasure.  It  was  signed  by  all  those  who  had  signed  the  previous  docu- 
ment, with  the  exception  of  Captain  Minvielle,  who  was  sick  of  the  "hot- 
headed proceedings,"  and  declined  to  act  any  further  with  the  revolu- 
tionists. He  went  to  Nicholson  and  solicited  and  obtained  his  discharge 
from  the  military  service. 

The  address  was  sent  to  some  Dutch  merchants  in  London,  who 

June  10. 

were  requested  to  deliver  it  to  the  king,  and  add  if  possible  "  a 
seasonable  word."  The  captain  of  the  vessel  who  was  to  convey  it  across 
the  water  refused  passage  to  Nicholson,  and  also  to  Rev.  Mr.  Innis,  the  • 
Episcopal  clergyman  who  was  in  haste  to  reach  London  with  complaints. 
Nicholson  went  directly  to  Staten  Island,  and  bought  a  share  in  Dongan's 
brigantine,  and  after  much  vexatious  delay  set  sail  on  his  voyage.  He 
deputed  Philipse,  Van  Cortlandt,  and  Bayard  with  the  charge  of  New 
York  affairs  during  his  absence.  The  three  gentlemen  were  each  person- 
ally known  to  many  of  the  prominent  English  statesmen,  and  their  im- 
portance in  the  colony  had  been  the  steady  growth  of  years.    But  now, 

23 


354 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  XEW  YORK. 


since  aspersions  had  been  cast  upon  their  loyalty,  it  was  esteemed  best 
to  counteract  its  effects  as  far  as  possible.  Hence  they  wrote  a  letter  to 
Secretary  Shrewsbury,  giving  a  detailed  description  of  the  overthrow  of 
the  government.  To  this  letter  was  attached  several  confirmatory  docu- 
ments. One  was  a  Latin  certificate  from  Dominie  Selyns,  signed  by  the 
consistory  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  in  which  the  three  gentlemen 
were  declared  to  be  "  pious,  candid,  and  modest  Protestant  Christians,  fill- 
ing the  offices  of  deacons  and  elders  with  consummate  praise  and  appro- 
bation." Eev.  Mr.  Innis  provided  himself  with  written  evidence  from 
the  Dutch  and  French  clergymen,  that  he  was  a  sincere  and  conscientious 
Protestant  churchman. 

Nicholson's  departure  gave  Leisler  unexpected  advantage.  He  became 
stern  and  patronizing,  magnified  his  questionable  appropriation  of  author- 
ity into  a  noble  patriotism,  compared  himself  to  Cromwell,  and  declared 
that  the  "  sword  must  now  rule  in  New  York."  He  used  lofty  expres- 
sions in  ordinary  conversation,  and  put  labored  paragraphs  into  his  letters, 
but  he  spelt  like  a  washerwoman.  He  changed  the  name  of  the  fort  from 
James  to  William,  and  called  a  convention  for  the  26th  of  June  to  organ- 
ize a  "  Committee  of  Safety,"  in  imitation  of  Boston.  He  never  fully 
understood  the  principles  which  underlay  the  movement  in  Boston,  and 
had  little  or  no  conception  of  the  singular  tact  and  address  which  guided 
her  through  her  perils.  He  was  blindly  infatuated  with  the  new  and 
novel  idea  of  his  own  greatness,  which  had  burst  upon  him  like  a  meteor. 
Everything  for  the  moment  wore  a  silvery  tinge.  He  commended  his 
fellow  captains  for  their  dutiful  deference  to  him.  But  erelong  the  ablest 
of  them  proved  less  tractable  than  he  had  anticipated  ;  while  attempting 
to  remove  from  office  the  Roman  Catholic  Collector,  Plowman,  he  was 
met  so  squarely  in  opposition  by  Captain  De  Peyster  and  Captain  Stuy- 
vesant,  who  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  violence  under  any  circum- 
stances, that  he  was  obliged  to  desist. 

June  13     William  and  Mary  were  proclaimed  at  Hartford  on  the  13th. 

Shortly  after,  Major  Gold  and  Captain  Fitch  set  out  for  New  York 

on  horseback,  with  a  copy  of  the  printed  proclamation  and  letters  of 

advice  and  encouragement  to  Leisler.    The  news  that  they  were  on  the 

way  preceded  them.    The  mayor  and  aldermen  of  the  city  had  remained 

passive  during  the  confusion,  but  it  was  agreed  that  they  should  meet 

the  Haitford  gentlemen,  if  possible,  before  their  interview  with  Leisler. 

Therefore  Mayor  Van  Cortlandt,  accompanied  by  Colonel  Bayard  and 

several  of  the  aldermen,  rode  out  into  Westchester,  hoping  to  encounter 

them  on  the  road,  and  finally  Stopped  to  dine  at  the  house  of 
•Iu"°"°  i 

Colonel  Lewis  Morris.    They  discovered  there  that  they  had  been 


DRINKING  THE  NEW  KING'S  HEALTH. 


355 


followed  the  whole  distance  by  Leisler's  son  and  Sergeant  Stoll.  They 
did  not  meet  the  travelers  either,  who  entered  the  city  by  another  route 
and  held  an  interview  with  Leisler  that  same  evening  at  the  fort. 

The  next  morning  Mayor  Van  Cortlandt  called  upon  Messrs.  Gold  and 
Fitch,  and  asked  for  the  proclamation,  in  order  that  the  city  might 
do  suitable  honor  to  the  new  sovereigns.    But  it  was  already  in 
the  hands  of  Leisler.    The  following  morning  it  was  read  to  the  soldiers 
in  the  fort.    A  little  later,  Mayor  Van  Cortlandt  was  visited  at 

Juu6  22 

his  residence  by  Leisler,  Gold,  and  Fitch,  accompanied  by  a  file 
of  halberdiers.  Leisler  accused  him  of  shirking  his  duty,  and  ordered 
that  William  and  Mary  be  proclaimed  from  the  City  Hall.  Van  Cort- 
landt replied  with  some  asperity,  that  it  was  well  known  that  he  had 
made  great  efforts  to  obtain  the  proclamation  for  that  very  purpose,  but 
now,  as  Leisler  had  taken  it  upon  himself  to  read  it  in  the  fort,  he  might 
read  it  where  else  he  pleased.  Leisler  flew  into  a  rage  and  accused  Van 
Cortlandt  of  siding  with  the  Catholics  and  King  James.  Hot  words  fol- 
lowed. In  the  end  Van  Cortlandt  expressed  his  willingness  to  summon 
the  aldermen,  and  give  notice  to  the  citizens,  if  he  could  have  an  hour's 
grace. 

When  they  had  assembled  at  the  City  Hall,  Leisler  arrogantly  ordered 
Van  Cortlandt  to  read  the  proclamation.  The  latter  was  exasperated  by 
the  tone  of  command  from  a  man  who,  although  his  senior  by  many  years, 
was  not  his  superior,  and  replied  that  the  person  w  ho  had  read  it  in  the 
fort  in  the  morning  should  be  called  upon  again,  as  he  had  no  clerk. 
Leisler  retorted,  denouncing  the  mayor's  conduct  in  strong  language  and 
calling  him  a  "papist."  The  crowd,  not  understanding  the  drift  of  the 
dispute,  became  excited,  and  called  out,  "  Seize  the  traitor  !  "  and  "  Down 
with  popery ! "  Van  Cortlandt  stepped  forward  and  explained  that  he 
was  not  hindering  the  reading.  Quiet  was  at  last  restored,  and  the  proc- 
lamation was  read  by  one  of  the  captains. 

The  Hartford  envoys  listened  to  the  stories  of  "  hellish  designs  "  until 
they  said  their  "  flesh  trembled."  They  imbibed  the  popular  belief  that 
New  York  was  full  of  "papists,"  who  might  at  any  moment  rise  and 
butcher  peaceful  Protestants.  They  congratulated  Leisler  upon  his  cour- 
age and  invincible  loyalty  As  the  people  dispersed  from  about  the  City 
Hall,  Colonel  Bayard  invited  the  mayor  and  aldermen  to  go  with  him 
to  his  house  and  drink  the  new  king's  health.  The  invitation  was 
accepted.  While  going  through  the  ceremony  with  great  entlnisiasm,  a 
messenger  came  from  Messrs.  Gold  and  Fitch,  asking  them  to  join  Cap- 
tain Leisler  and  his  officers  in  the  fort  and  drink  the  new  king's  health. 
In  order  to  let  the  people  see  that  they  were  not  lukewarm  subjects  of 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


a  new  dynasty,  they  consented.  The  mob,  however,  gathered  about  them 
in  a  riotous  manner,  and  were  disposed  to  do  them  mischief.  Alderman 
Crundall  was  violently  ejected  from  the  fort  and  seriously  injured.  The 
sheriff  was  pounded  and  kicked,  and  had  his  sword  taken  from  him. 
Colouel  William  Smith  was  called  a  "  devil  and  a  rogue,"  and  escaped 
rough  usage  by  running.  Philip  French  was  struck  on  the  side  of  his 
head  with  a  musket  and  stunned.  Van  Cortlandt  attempted  to  pass  out, 
and  was  met  with  abuse  on  all  sides,  while  a  deafening  shout  rent  the 
air  of  "  We  don't  want  you  here." 

A  fire  was  discovered  in  the  evening  in  the  turret  of  the  church  in  the 
fort,  under  which  the  powder  was  stored ;  it  was  supposed  by  many  to 
be  the  work  of  the  "  papists,"  a  demoniacal  design  to  destroy  the  fort  aud 
the  town. 

Two  days  later  Mayor  Van  Cortlandt  obtained  a  copy  of  the  royal 
proclamation  which  confirmed  Protestant  officers  in  their  places 
'  in  the  colonies,  and  which  had  been,  so  disastrously  for  New  York, 
detained  in  Boston.  He  convened  the  aldermen  and  the  citizens  at  once, 
aud  published  it  in  the  same  manner  as  William  and  Mary  had  been 
proclaimed  on  the  22d.  Thus  was  established  beyond  question  the 
authority  of  Philipse,  Van  Cortlandt,  and  Bayard,  who  held  their  com- 
missions from  the  crown. 

Leisler  was  furious  over  the  occurrence.  He  charged  "  Jacobitism  " 
upon  every  one  who  would  not  join  his  standard.  He  called  the  three 
counselors  "  popishly  affected,  lying  dogs."  He  saw  undoubtedly  that 
In-  was  in  danger  of  losing  his  position  unless  he  labored  vigorously  to 
sustain  it. 

The  next  morning  Van  Cortlandt  convened  the  counselors 
'  and  the  Common  Council  of  the  city  at  his  house,  and  conferred 
long  and  earnestly.  They  thought  it  best  to  remove  Collector  Plowman, 
"  for  the  peace  of  the  restless  community,"  and  appointed  commissioners 
to  take  his  place  until  a  successor  should  arrive  from  England.  Colonel 
Bayard,  Thomas  Wenham,  John  Haines,  and  Paulus  Richards  were  chosen, 
took  the  customary  oaths  aud  the  keys,  and  entered  upon  their  duties. 

In  less  than  half  an  hour  there  was  an  uproar.  They  had  only  had 
time  to  change  the  "  J  "  in  the  king's  arms  to  a  "  W."  Leisler  came  upon 
them  with  a  company  of  soldiers,  aud  ordered  them  out  of  the  building. 
The  resolutions  of  the  mayor  and  council  were  pasted  over  the  door. 
Leisler  read  these  with  contempt.  Colonel  Bayard  attempted  to  argue 
the  position,  but  was  met  with  the  old  charge,  "  You  are  all  rogues,  trai- 
tors, and  devils."  The  soldiers  jerked  Wenham  into  the  street  by  the 
neckcloth,  and  battered  and  bruised  him  until  some  bystanders  renion- 


ALMOST  A  COLONIAL  REVOLUTION. 


357 


June  26. 


strated  to  save  his  life,  and  were  in  turn  assaulted  and  nearly  murdered. 
Bayard  was  cut  at  fiercely,  but  the  crowd  was  so  thick  that  only  his  hat 
was  injured.  He  succeeded  in  escaping  into  the  house  of  Peter  De 
Lanoy,  which  was  immediately  surrounded  and  in  danger  of  being  pulled 
down.  Bayard  made  his  further  escape  after  a  time.  But  the  startling 
cry  was  raised,  and  spread  from  one  end  of  the  town  to  the  other,  that 
"  the  rogues  had  sixty  men  ready  to  kill  Captain  Leisler." 

The  next  day  Mrs.  De  Peyster,  the  mother  of  Captain  De  Peys- 
ter,  and  Mrs.  Van  Brugh  went  to  Mrs.  Bayard,  and  told  her  that 
her  husband  was  in  hourly  peril  of  assassination,  and  advised  that  he 
should  leave  the  city  for  a  time.    He  was  similarly  counseled  by  some  of 
the  aldermen,  who  were 
amazed  at  the  fury  with 
which  he  was  pursued. 
Assisted  by  his  friends, 
who  provided  horses  for 
him  some  miles  above 
Philipse  manor,  he,  at- 
tended by  two  negro 
slaves,  managed  to  es- 
cape to  Albany,  where 
he  was  hospitably  re- 
ceived and  entertained 
by  Mayor  Peter  Schuy- 
ler and  Robert  Livings- 
ton. 

Leisler  appointed  Pe- 
ter De  Lanoy  collector 
of  the  customs,  having 
successfully  routed  the 
commissioners.  Then 
the  Convention  which  he 
had  summoned  came  to- 
gether. The  excitements 
of  the  last  few  days  had  convinced  half  the  town  that  the  other  half  were 
concealing  daggers  and  about  to  rise  and  sustain  the  Roman  Catholics. 
To  deny  the  charge  was  almost  equivalent  to  a  confession  of  guilt.  Many 
of  the  delegates  were  men  who  were  struggling  with  imperfect  ideas  of  a 
democratic  geverment,  and  openly  promulgated  the  sentiment  that  "there 
had  been  no  legal  king  in  England  since  Oliver  Cromwell."    Two  of  the 

DO  O 

delegates  seeing  the  tendency  of  the  Convention  to  make  Leisler  com- 


Portrait  of  Hon.  Peter  Schuyler. 
(From  the  original  painting  in  the  possession  of  the  family.) 


358  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


raander-in-chief,  withdrew  after  the  first  session.  The  remaining  ten 
formed  themselves  into  a  "  Committee  of  Safety."  Their  names  were, 
Richard  Denton,  Teunis  Roelofse,  Jean  De  Marest,  Daniel  De  Klercke, 
Thomas  Vermilye,  Samuel  Edsall,  Matthias  Harvey,  Peter  De  Lanoy, 
Thomas  Williams,  and  William  Lawrence. 

They  appointed  Abraham  Gouverneur  clerk  of  the  committee. 
'  He  was  a  young  man  of  nineteen,  the  son  of  the  French  Huguenot, 
Nicholas  Gouverneur.  He  had  a  remarkable  education  for  one  of  his 
years.  He  could  read,  write,  and  speak  readily  the  three  languages  chiefly 
spoken  in  New  York,  and  kept  the  records  with  great  clearness  and  pre- 
cision. 

The  first  business  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  was  to  appoint  Leisler 
"Captain  of  the  fort."    He  was  to  open  all  letters  and  examine  all 

In  up  28 

'  strangers  that  came  into  the  city.    Every  person  suspected  of 
popery  was  to  be  arrested  and  thrown  into  prison. 

Six  weeks  afterward  these  ten  men,  assuming  to  represent  a  few  of  the 
towns  near  the  metropolis,  issued  a  second  commission  appointing  Leisler 
commander-in-chief  of  the  province.  It  was  illegal,  and  served  to  illus- 
trate the  errors  into  which  men  will  fall  who  are  unaccustomed  to  rule. 
Had  the  authority  of  such  a  commission  been  resolutely  questioned  it 
would  have  tumbled  into  dust.  Leisler  argued  the  necessity  of  the 
measure  as  a  prevention  against  anarchy.  He  must  have  more  power. 
Should  the  French  attack  the  province,  or  the  "Jacobites"  rise  to  carry 
the  colony  by  storm,  the  want  of  harmony  in  Albany  and  elsewhere 
would  prove  fatal  to  all  concerned.  So  the  Committee  of  Safety  gave 
him  what  they  did  not  possess,  and  he  tightened  his  reins  and  became 
more  arbitrary  than  ever. 

Meanwhile  the  time  for  the  regular  holding  of  the  mayor's  court  was 
.approaching,  and  Leisler  determined  to  put  a  stop  to  it.  He  sent 
July  2'  a  message  the  evening  before  to  Paulus  Richards  to  the  effect  that 
if  the  mayor  undertook  to  hold  court,  "the  people  would  haul  the  magis- 
trates by  the  legs  from  the  City  Hall  and  he  would  not  hinder  them." 
The  morning  came,  and  Mayor  Van  Cortlaudt  sent  John  Lawrence, 
Francis  Rombouts,  William  Merritt,  and  Thomas  CrundaU  to  the  fort  to 
consult  Leisler  in  regard  to  his  intentions.  But  he  only  repeated  the 
threat.  The  aldermen  did  not  care  to  run  the  risk  of  encountering  a 
mob  while  they  had  no  means  of  defense,  so  the  mayor's  court  was  ad- 
journed for  four  weeks,  presuming  that  by  that  time  relief  in  some  tangi- 
ble shape  would  have  arrived  from  England. 


NEW  YORK  UNDER  LEISLER. 


359 


CHAPTER  XX. 


1689  -  1691. 


NEW  YORK  UNDER  LEISLER. 


New  York  under  Leisler.  — The  Elections  of  1689.  — Mrs.  Van  Cortlandt's  Cour- 
age.—  Leisler's  Executive  Ability. — Albany  in  Peril.  —  Independence  of 
Albany.  —  Mayor  Peter  Schuyler.  —  Milborne's  Defeat.  —  Connecticut  to  the 
Rescue.  —  Colonel  Nicholas  Bayard.  —  Captain  Lodwyck  in  Disgrace.  —  Cap- 
tain De  Peyster  in  Disgrace.  —  The  Rough  Search  for  Colonel  Bayard.  —  Wil- 
liam III.  of  England.  —  The  Tangle  in  New  York.  —  The  King's  Letter  to 
Nicholson.  —  New  York  threatened  by  the  French.  —  Leisler's  Agent  at 
Whitehall.  —  Matthew  Clarkson. — The  King's  Letter  seized  by  Leisler. — 
Leisler's  Assumption. — An  Outburst  of  Rage. — Philip  French  in  a  Dungeon. 

—  The  Jails  and  Prisons  filled. — Arrest  of  Colonel  Bayard. — Arrest  of 
William  Nicolls.  —  Pursuit  of  Robert  Livingston.  — The  French  on  the  War- 
Path.  —  Burning  of  Schenectady.  —  Shocking  Massacre.  —  Albany  appalled.  — 
Albany  submits  to  Leisler.  — The  First  Colonial  Congress  in  America.  —  Leis- 
ler's Vigor. — Wholesale  Complaints.  — Connecticut's  Rebuke. — Despotic  Laws. 
New  Rochelle.  —  Wedding  of  Leisler's  Daughter.  —  Advice  from  Boston.  — 
The  Government  of  New  York  as  ordained  by  William  III. — Arrival  of 
Lieutenant-Governor  Ingoldsby. — The  City  in  Tumult.  —  Leisler  aggressive. 

—  Bloodshed  in  New  York.  —  Governor  Sloughter's  Arrival.  —  Leisler  impris- 
oned. —  The  Sunday  Sermon.  —  The  Trial  of  Leisler  and  his  Council.  —  Leis- 
ler and  Milborne  under  Sentence  of  Death. — The  Assembly  of  1691. — Dr. 
Gerardus  Beekman. — Sloughter's  Character. — Signing  of  the  Death-War- 
rant.—  The  Execution  of  Leisler  and  Milborne. — Impressive  Scenes. — Ef- 
fects of  Leisler's  Death.  —  The  French  and  Indian  War.  —  Death  of  Slough- 
ter.  —  Ingoldsby  Commander-in-Chief.  —  Etienne  De  Lancey. 

r  I  ^HE  summer  passed  away  in  tolerable  quiet.    The  city  of  . 


1  New  York  was  under  a  military  despotism.  Leisler  counted 
all  as  "  Papists  "  who  would  not  recognize  his  authority.  As  none  of  the 
city  magistrates  would  administer  the  oaths  of  allegiance  in  the  fort,  he 
sent  for  Dr.  Gerardus  Beekman,  a  Long  Island  justice,  to  perform  that 
service.  On  one  occasion  four  Cambridge  students  came  into  the  city 
with  Perry,  the  postman,  and  on  suspicion  of  papacy  were  arrested  and 
their  letters  seized  and  examined.  Even  the  drums  beat  an  alarm  and 
four  hundred  soldiers  appeared.    But  the  modest  travelers  were  found  to 


1689. 


360 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Aug.  25. 


be  honest  men,  and  were  set  at  liberty.  Several  prominent  citizens  were 
arrested  without  warrant,  and  there  was  no  time  when  many  persons 
were  not  lying  in  prison  for  disaffection  to  the  new  government. 

In  August  Jacob  Milborne  returned  from  Holland,  where  he 
bad  been  staying  for  some  months.    His  elder  brother,  William 

Milborne,  was  an  Ana- 
baptist minister  who  had 
taken  an  active  part  in 
the  overthrow  of  tbe  srov- 
ernment  of  Andros.  He 
himself  declared  that  the 
English  Revolution  justi- 
fied all  that  had  been 
done  in  New  York.  He 
became  an  arm  of  strength 
to  his  old  friend  with 
whom  he  had  formerly 
been  associated  in  com- 
mercial ventures.  He 
took  up  his  abode  in 
Leisler's  family.  He  was 
by  no  means  a  genial 
companion;  his  disposition  had  been  soured  by  early  misfortunes,  and  his 
mind  was  one  great  uncultivated  field  of  reformatory  ideas.  But  his 
English  education  and  his  indomitable  pluck  were  invaluable.  Leisler's 
letters  benceforth  appeared  in  better  dress,  and  were  less  subject  to  criti- 
cism. Ensign  Stoll  was  sent  to  convey  a  document  to  Whitehall  which 
was  full  of  loyal  asseverations.  Leisler  explained  how  in  June  he  had 
been  made  captain  of  the  fort,  but  omitted  to  mention  his  last  absurd 
commission. 

As  the  customary  time  for  elections  approached,  Leisler  ordered  the 
towns  and  counties  to  proceed  to  choose  new  officers  for  the  coming  year. 
The  charter  of  New  York  required  that  the  mayor  and  sheriff  of  the  city 
should  be  appointed  annually  by  the  governor  and  council,  and  the  clerk 
by  the  governor,  and  that  they  should  remain  in  office  until  others  should 
be  duly  appointed  in  their  places.  The  charter  also  ordained  the  Catho- 
lic feast  of  Michaelmas  as  the  time  to  elect  its  aldermen.  On  that 
day  the  voting  went  on  in  the  different  wards,  but  the  Leisler  fac- 
tion were  alone  in  the  field  ;  their  opponents  denied  the  legality  of  the 
whole  proceeding.  Robert  Walters,  the  son-in-law  of  Leisler,  was  returned 
as  one  of  the  aldermen. 


Portrait  of  Dr.  Gerardus  Beekman. 
(From  an  original  painting  in  possession  of  the  family.) 


Sept.  20. 


MRS.   VAN  CORTLAN  DT'S  COURAGE. 


361 


Leisler  was  perplexed  as  to  how  to  manage  about  the  mayor  and  guber- 
natorial appointments.  He  finally  summoned  the  Protestant  freeholders 
of  the  city  together  to  elect  them.  A  few  only  were  present,  and  the 
majority  of  votes  were  for  Peter  De  Lanoy.  This  was  the  first  election 
of  a  mayor  by  the  city,  or  what  was  supposed  to  represent  the  city,  of 
New  York.1  Johannes  Johnson  was  returned  as  sheriff,  and  Abraham 
Gouverneur  as  clerk.  Leisler  issued  a  proclamation  on  the  birthday  of 
James  II.,  as  the  charter  dictated,  confirming  the  election.  Thus  Q^ 
with  characteristic  inconsistency  he  violated  one  most  essential 
point  in  the  charter,  and  rigidly  observed  two  others  touching  upon  noted 
Catholic  days. 

A  constable  was  sent  to  the  house  of  Mayor  Van  Cortlandt  to  obtain 
the  city  charter,  seals,  records,  etc.,  —  for  what  M  ere  city  officials  without 
municipal  paraphernalia  !  Van  Cortlandt  was  not  at  home.  A  commit- 
tee was  then  appointed  to  wait  upon  Mrs.  Van  Cortlandt  and  demand 
them  of  her.  She  was  a  sister  of  Mayor  Peter  Schuyler  of  Albany, 
a  tall,  grandly  proportioned  woman,  with  a  touch  of  imperialism 
about  her,  as  if  born  to  command.  She  received  the  committee  politely, 
but  declined  to  give  up  anything  which  had  been  left  in  her  care  by  her 
husband.  A  sergeant-at-arms  next  visited  her,  but  when  she  learned  his 
errand  she  coolly  shut  the  door  in  his  face  and  defied  his  blustering 
threats.  An  effort  was  then  made  to  find  and  imprison  Van  Cortlandt, 
but  without  success. 

The  French  were  already  overshadowing  the  northern  horizon  and  pre- 
paring to  take  advantage  of  the  disturbances  in  the  colonial  government. 
Leisler  acted  promptly,  used  the  public  funds  to  put  the  fort  in  repair, 
and  placed  a  double  number  of  men  at  work  upon  the  city  fortifications. 
A  new  semicircular  battery,  for  some  time  known  as  "Leisler's  Half 
Moon,"  was  built  upon  a  flat  rock  west  of  the  fort,  and  supplies  of  powder 
were  obtained  from  Philadelphia. 

Albany  M  as  seriously  threatened,  and  a  convention  was  called.    It  was 
presided  over  by  Mayor  Schuyler;  and  by  his  side,  acting  as  sec-  ^ 
retary,  sat  his  brother-in-law,  Robert  Livingston,  who  was  also  the 
brother-in-law  of  Mayor  Van  Cortlandt.    The  city  recorder,  Dirck  Wes- 
sells,  and  Aldermen  Wendall,  Bleecker,  Van  Schaick,  and  other  of  the 
chief  men  were  Hollanders,  all  Protestants,  and  members  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church,  of  which  Dominies  Schaats  and  Dellius  were  the  pastors. 
These  magistrates  had,  as  soon  as  they  received  a  copy  of  the  proc-  ^ 
lamation  from  New  York,  formed  the  citizens  into  a  procession 

1  Cornelius  W,  Lawrence  was  the  first  citizen  elected  mayor  by  the  people  of  New  York, 
in  1834. 


362 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


and  marched  to  the  fort,  and  there,  in  the  most  dignified  and  solemn  man- 
ner, proclaimed  William  and  Mary,  fired  guns,  and  indulged  in  all  other 
suitable  demonstrations.  They  repeated  the  ceremony  at  the  City  Hall, 
rang  the  bells,  and  had  bonfires  and  fire-works  in  the  evening.  They 
esteemed  themselves  in  no  wise  subordinate  to  Leisler,  but  were  deter- 
mined to  maintain  their  civil  government  until  orders  came  from  Eng- 
land. 

But  Albany,  with  her  two  little  streets  crossing  each  other  at  right 
angles,  was  the  center  of  the  great  internal  traffic  of  the  province  with 
the  natives,  and  consequently  second  only  in  importance  to  the  metropo- 
lis. It  was  desirable  that  every  effort  should  be  made  to  keep  the  Iro- 
quois friendly,  and  no  one  understood  the  tactics  required  for  that  pur- 
pose better  than  Schuyler  and  Livingston.  These  warriors  were  in  a 
deadly  quarrel  with  the  French,  and  the  near  Mohawks  had  asked  assist- 
ance of  men  and  horses  to  draw  logs  to  fortify  their  castles,  which  was 
granted. 

Several  outside  tribes  had  gone  over  to  the  French,  and  had  recently 
fallen  upon  and  destroyed  Dover  in  New  Hampshire,  and  Pemaquid  in 
Maine.    Albany  might  be  attacked  at  any  moment,  and  the  "  Conven- 
tion" ordered  that  every  gentleman  present  should  bring  a  gun  with 
half  a  pound  of  powder  and  ball  equivalent,  to  be  hung  up  in  the 
church,  and  that  the  traders  and  other  inhabitants  should  be  persuaded 
to  do  the  same,  until  the  number  of  fifty  was  reached,  these  arms  to  be 
used  in  case  of  emergency.    As  some  of  the  citizens  were  preparing  to 
leave  Albany,  the  Convention  ordered,  that,  "  as  it  was  setting  a  bad 
7  example  for  the  timorous  and  cowardly  to  run  away,  no  able-bod- 
ied inhabitant  should  leave  the  county  for  the  next  three  months, 
without  a  pass  from  the  justice  of  the  peace."    After  much  hesitation  a 
messenger  was  sent  to  ask  Leisler  for  help.    He  forwarded  four  cannon 
and  a  small  supply  of  powder  and  ball,  at  the  same  time  commanding 
that  commissioners  be  sent  to  him  at  once  to  consult  for  the  pub- 

Sept.  4. 

lie  good.  He  addressed  his  letter  to  Captains  Wendall  and 
Bleecker,  instead  of  the  Convention,  saying  to  the  messenger  that  he 
had  nothing  to  do  with  the  civil  power;  he  was  a  soldier,  and  would 
write  to  a  soldier. 

The  Convention  paid  no  further  heed  to  him,  but  raised  what  money 
they  could  among  themselves,  and  appealed  to  New  England  for  aid. 
The  latter  sent  delegates  to  enlist  the  Iroquois  against  the  Eastern  sav- 
ages. The  chiefs  of  the  Iroquois  were  summoned  to  Albany,  but  declined 
to  attack  tribes  who  had  done  them  no  harm.  The  next  day,  at  a  private 
conference,  the  same  sachems  assured  the  Albany  gentlemen  that  if  the 


ALBANY  IN  PERIL. 


363 


French  came  to  harm  them,  they  would  fight  for  them,  and  live  or  die 
with  them.1 

On  the  day  appointed  in  her  charter  Albany  proceeded  to  install  her 
municipal  officers,  and  in  order  to  silence  the  misrepresentations 
of  those  who  persisted  in  calling  the  Albanians  "  Jacobites,"  the 
civic  and  military  officers,  the  citizens,  and  the  soldiers  in  the  fort,  took 
oaths  of  fidelity  to  the  new  king  and  queen. 

Thus  there  were  two  rival  governments  within  the  province  of  New 
York,  and  one  was  as  rightful  as  the  other.  But  the  independent  attitude 
of  Albany  galled  Leisler.  He  shortly  prepared  a  force  of  fifty-one  men 
to  proceed  under  the  command  of  Milborne  and  take  possession  of  the 
Albany  fort.  The  Convention,  learning  what  was  in  progress,  sent 
Alderman  Van  Schaick  to  New  York  to  tell  Leisler  that  they 
would  willingly  accept  reinforcements  provided  they  came  in  an  obedient 
spirit,  but  that  no  New  York  officer  would  be  admitted  to  the  command  of 
the  fort.  Considering  himself  commander-in-chief  of  the  province,  Leisler 
determined  to  make  his  power  felt,  and  dispatched  three  sloops  full  of 
armed  men  and  ammunition  up  the  river. 

Van  Schaick  reached  Albany  before  them,  and  reported  how  Leisler 
was  bent  upon  "  turning  the  government  of  their  city  upside 
down."     The  Convention  summoned  the  citizens  together,  and 
a  declaration  was  signed  to  the  effect  that  they  would  not  permit  "  them 
of  New  York  or  any  person  else,  to  ride  over  Albany,  of  which 
the  Convention  was  the  only  present  lawful  authority."      Tn  °v'5 
order  "to  prevent  jealousies  and  animosities,"  Mayor  Peter  Schuyler, 
who  was  a  favorite  with  all  parties  and  specially  loved  by  the  Indians, 
was  appointed  to  the  chief  command  of  the  fort.    The  principal  men  of 
Albany  led  him  up  the  steep  hill  to  the  little  fortress  with  great  pomp 
and  ceremony,  and  he  was  received  by  the  garrison  with  cheers 

,  -,  Nov.  8. 

and  huzzas. 

The  next  morning  the  sloops  from  New  York  anchored  a  little  below 
the  city.  Milborne  sent  a  messenger  to  demand  admission  to  the  fort, 
and  was  promptly  refused.  Presently  he  made  his  appearance  at  the 
City  Hall,  where  a  crowd  gathered,  whom  he  harangued  for  some  time, 
saying  that  all  that  had  been  done  in  the  reign  of  James  II.  was  illegal, 


1  Doc.  Hist.,  II.  19,  20,  50-55,  88.  Munsell,  II.  108.  Smith,  I.  99,  100.  Dunlap,  I. 
158.  Mass.  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.,  XXXV.  212,  217,  218.  Brodhead,  II.  583,  584,  585.  Colden, 
I.  106-111.  Plymouth  Records,  VI.  213.  Col.  Doc,  III.  610-783;  IV.  349;  IX.  387, 
420-425,440,665.  Charlevoiz,  II.  345,  415  -  419.  Belknap,  I|  198 -206.  La  Pother ie,  III. 
248.  Shea's  Missions,  277  -325.  Garneau,  I.  305.  Bell,  I.  322.  Williamson,  I.  590-595, 
Millet's  Letter  of  July  6,  1691,  pp.  40-45. 
*  23 


364 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


and  that  the  charter  of  Albany  was  null  and  void.  Milborne  had  for- 
merly lived  in  Albany,  and  not  only  knew  the  place  well,  but  was  well 
known  by  the  people.  He  was  answered  briefly  by  Recorder  Wessells, 
who  said,  "We  have  no  arbitrary  power  here." 

The  following  day  Milborne  appeared  before  the  Convention.  He 
produced  his  commission  signed  by  Leisler  and  the  Committee 
of  Safety.  He  was  told  that  a  commission  granted  by  a  company 
of  private  men  in  New  York  was  of  no  force  in  Albany;  that  when  he 
would  show  a  commission  from  King  William,  he  might  command  obedi- 
ence. As  he  retired  from  the  building  he  made  a  long  speech  from  the 
steps  to  the  people  who  had  collected.  He  was  interrupted  constantly 
by  shouts  of  "You  want  to  raise  mutiny  and  sedition,"  and  "If  things 
are  carried  on  as  you  say,  all  authority  will  be  overturned,  and  we  shall 
run  into  confusion  with  the  Indians." 

In  the  course  of  twenty-four  hours  Milborne  succeeded  in  winning 
some  one  hundred  persons  over  to  his  interests,  and  thev  met  and 

Nov  11.  ■  >j 

'  chose  Jochim  Staats  to  command  the  soldiers  from  New  York. 

The  Convention  refused  to  accept  the  soldiers  from  New  York 
'  as  soon  as  they  heard  of  it,  unless  they  pledged  themselves  to 

come  under  the  command  of  the  Convention.     On  the  14th 

Nov  14 

'  Mayor  Schuyler  met  the  citizens  at  the  City  Hall,  and  explained 
why  he  had  accepted  command  of  the  fort,  simply  to  defeat  Leisler's 
design  to  create  a  general  disturbance  among  the  people  by  making  an 
absolute  change  of  government.    His  course  was  warmly  approved. 
But  Milborne  was  fully  resolved  to  obtain  the  mastery.    He  assembled 
his  complete  force  and  marched  valiantly  up  to  the  fort.  He 

Nov  15. 

'  halted  with  military  precision  and  demanded  possession.  Schuyler 
ordered'  him  away.  Milborne  attempted  to  force  an  entrance  and  was 
driven  back.  He  ordered  his  men  to  load,  and  read  to  them  a  paper. 
Schuyler,  upon  one  of  the  mounds  of  the  fort,  shouted  a  protest  in  behalf 
of  the  Convention,  and  directed  Milborne  and  his  troops  to  withdraw 
at  once.  A  party  of  Mohawks  upon  the  hill  near  by  watched  these  pro- 
ceedings, and  all  at  once  charged  their  guns  and  sent  a  hurried  messenger 
to  Schuyler,  to  say  that  if  the  New  York  soldiers  wen;  hostile  they  should 
fire  on  them.  Schuyler  sent  Recorder  Wessells  and  Dominie  Dellius  to 
pacify  the  savages,  but  the  latter  were  thoroughly  enraged  and  insisted 
upon  the  Dominie's  going  to  Milborne  with  the  same  message  which  they 
had  sent  to  Schuyler.  Milborne  was  balllcd,  for  he  had  met  an  unex- 
pected foe.    He.  dismissed  his  men  and  retired  in  humiliation. 

lie  had  some  allies  in  Albany,  and  before  lie  returned  to  New 
Nov.  is.  york  a  p,.^^  COutmct  was  signed  by  a  few  men  of  ipeaus  to 


COLONEL  NICHOLAS  BAYARD. 


365 


support  the  soldiers  whom  he  was  to  leave  behind  under  command  of 
Captain  Staats.  He  stopped  at  Esopus  on  his  trip  down  the  Hudson, 
but  the  people  had  been  informed  of  his  defeat  at  Albany  and  he  could 
do  nothing  with  them. 

Ten  days  later  eighty-seven  soldiers  reached  Albany,  sent  at  the  request 
of  the  Convention  by  Governor  Treat  of  Connecticut.  They 
were  led  by  Captain  Bull,  the  same  who  courageously  prevented 
Andros  from  taking  possession  of  Saybrook  in  1775.  The  perils  were  so 
great  that  Lieutenant  Enos  Talmage  of  Captain  Bull's  company  with 
twenty-four  men  were  sent  to  garrison  Schenectady.  Captain  Staats, 
instead  of  assisting  in  the  common  defense  with  his  New  York  soldiers, 
worked  industriously  to  promote  faction.    The  condition  of  affairs 

Dec.  4. 

became  so  lamentable  that  the  Convention  appointed  the  4th  of 
December  to  be  observed  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer. 

Colonel  Bayard  in  Albany,  having  been  there  since  June,  had  been 
kept  informed  of  all  that  transpired  in  New  York,  and  was  in  constant 
expectation  of  royal  instructions  which  would  restore  order.  He  learned 
in  October  that  his  only  son,  who  had  been  lying  dangerously  ill  for 
months,  was  in  a  dying  condition,  and  he  was  very  anxious  to  see  him. 
He  wrote  to  the  justices  of  the  peace  in  New  York,  asking  personal 
protection  from  Leisler  while  visiting  his  family.  He  offered  to  give 
security  in  money,  or  to  answer  any  complaints  or  accusations  which 
could  be  brought  against  him  and  thereby  satisfy  the  law.  But  the 
answer  which  he  received  was,  "  The  sword  rules,  and  we  have  no  power 
in  opposition  to  Leisler." 

He  then  wrote  to  Captain  De  Peyster  and  Captain  De  Bruyn,  with 
directions  that  the  contents  of  his  letter  should  be  communicated 

Oct  20 

to  all  the  commissioned  officers ;  he  ordered  them  "  to  bear  good 

faith  and  allegiance  "  to  William  and  Mary,  to  be  obedient  to  the  civil 


Autograph  of  Nicholas  Bayard. 


authority  of  the  city,  and  to  desist  from  aiding  or  abetting  the  illegal 
proceedings  of  Leisler  and  his  associates.  As  a  commissioned  colonel 
of  the  regiment,  as  well  as  one  of  the  counselors  of  the  government,  he 


366 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


considered  that  he  was  thus  honestly  and  fearlessly  doing  his  duty.  The 
results,  however,  were  most  disastrous.  The  captains  put  his  communi- 
cation into  the  hands  of  Leisler,  who  new  into  a  terrible  rage.  He  knew 
that  Bayard,  despite  a  little  pomposity,  stood  high  in  the  estimation  of  a 
large  class  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  province.  He  knew  that  he  was  a 
man  of  orthodox  religion  and  regular  life,  of  ample  fortune  and  high 
connections.  He  knew  that  he  was  a  scholar,  and  notwithstanding  his 
French  and  Dutch  parentage,  was  an  able  expositor  of  the  English  law. 
He  knew  that  his  logic  had  already  startled  some  of  the  captains  as  to 
the  consequences  of  the  revolt.  He  knew  that  Bayard  was  likely  to  be 
a  continual  thorn  in  his  side.  In  short,  he  was  afraid  of  him.  The 
spirit  of  insurrection  is  always  severe.  Leisler  determined  to  put  his 
foot  upon  so  dangerous  a  foe.  Milborne  added  fuel  to  the  fire  by  de- 
scribing the  effects  of  Bayard's  influence  in  Albany.  They  feared  he 
might  overturn  their  whole  structure. 

Leisler  called  a  public  meeting,  at  which  he  announced  that  Nicholson 
had  never  shown  his  face  in  England,  but  had  turned  "  privateer  " ;  and 
that  Bayard  was  "  a  traitor  and  a  villain,"  and  was  coming  upon  New 
York  with  three  hundred  men  to  retake  the  fort  for  the  late  King  James. 
As  for  Dongan,  although  he  was  living  quietly  on  his  farm  near  Hemp- 
stead, Leisler  charged  him  with  holding  "  cabals  "  at  his  house  and  at 
other  places,  preparatory  to  making  an  attempt  on  the  fort.  Captain 
Lodwyck  denied  this  imputation  upon  Dongan,  and  was  immediately 
dismissed  from  the  service,  with  the  scathing  charge  of  being  a  friend  to 
"  popery  and  James." 

Leisler  called  upon  every  man  to  take  a  new  oath,  which  was,  in  sub- 
stance, to  be  true  to  William  and  Mary,  obedient  to  the  Committee  of 
Safety,  and  to  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  province.  Captain  De 
Peyster  was  a  man  of  strong  practical  sense,  and,  seeing  the  mischief 
which  was  likely  to  result  from  needlessly  terrifying  and  exasperating 
the  lower  classes,  warned  Leisler  to  desist  from  such  a  course.  The  latter 
was  in  no  mood  to  hear  reproof,  and  angrily  suspended  him  from  office, 
appointing  a  more  pliant  captain  in  his  stead.  He  thus  lost  one  of  the 
best  men  wbo  bad  been  among  his  adherents,  and  a  counselor  who  might 
have  saved  him  from  destruction. 

Meanwhile  Bayard  had  privately  arrived  at  his  own  house.  It  was 
evening,  but  a  soldier  saw  him  and  ran  with  the  news  to  the  fort.  A 
dozen  armed  men  were  sent  at  once  to  arrest  him.  They  went  through 
his  house  in  a  rough  and  riotous  manner,  greatly  adding  to  the  distress  of 
his  already  afflicted  family,  by  swearing  that  they  would  "  fetch  him  from 
the  gates  of  hell."    Not  finding  him,  they  proceeded  to  search  Van  Cort- 


WILLIAM  III.  OF  EN-GLAND. 


367 


landt's  house  in  the  same  brutal  manner,  and  threatened  Van  Cortlandt 
himself  so  seriously  that  he  was  obliged  to  escape  through  the  rear  of  his 
dwelling  and  hide  himself  in  Connecticut  and  Albany  for  weeks.  Mrs. 
Van  Cortlandt  and  her  children  were  grossly  insulted,  but  she  bravely 
maintained  her  ground,  and  after  a  while  was  left  in  peace.  The  house 
of  Dominie  Selyns  was  searched,  and  he  was  treated  to  the  same  coarse 
and  vulgar  language.  Sixteen  of  the  chief  families  of  the  city  were 
obliged  to  submit  to  a  similar  indignity.  Never  was  the  pursuit  of  a  cul- 
prit conducted  in  a  more  indecent  manner.  Last  of  all,  Captain  Stuy- 
vesant  was  visited.  He  was  an  own  blood  cousin  of  Bayard,  and  the  two 
had  been  intimate  and  confidential  friends  from  boyhood.  It  had  been 
reported  recently  that  he  had  said  that  the  stories  about  Bayard's  being  a 
Catholic  were  "a  pack  of  lies."  So  perhaps  he  was  concealing  him. 
They  invaded  every  room  in  his  house  from  cellar  to  garret,  and  then 
went  through  all  his  barns  and  outbuildings.  They  acted  like  men  infu- 
riated, and  many  of  them  were  intoxicated.  The  next  day  Captain  Stuy- 
vesant  resigned  his  commission  and  retired  from  any  farther  association 
with  Leisler.  He  possessed  too  much  of  his  father's  spirit  to  lend  him- 
self for  the  furtherance  of  dishonorable  outrages. 

The  question  will  very  naturally  arise,  Why  was  all  this  confusion 
allowed  to  exist  ?  Why  came  no  orders  from  England  ?  Why  were  not 
men  established  in  power  to  whom  power  properly  belonged  ?  Why  was 
William  so  oblivious  to  his  own  interests  ? 

There  was  a  complication  of  reasons.  The  year  which  had  elapsed 
since  William  took  up  the  English  scepter  had  been  to  him  one  of  tor- 
turing anxiety  and  incessant  toil.  The  enthusiasm  which  had  welcomed 
him  to  the  throne  was  as  brief  as  it  was  apparently  sincere.  He  had 
himself,  at  the  very  moment  when  his  fame  and  fortune  reached  its  high- 
est point,  predicted  the  coming  reaction.  It  is  the  nature  of  mankind  to 
overrate  present  evil  and  to  underrate  present  good,  to  long  for  what  he 
has  not  and  to  be  dissatisfied  with  what  he  has.  Reaction  is  a  law  of 
nature  as  certain  as  the  laws  which  regulate  the  succession  of  the  seasons 
and  the  course  of  the  trade-winds.  Many  of  those  who  had  at  first  taken 
up  arms  for  William  began  to  mutter  among  themselves  before  the  end 
of  two  months,  and  not  only  found  excuses  for  the  maladministration  of 
James,  gross  as  it  had  been,  but  revealed  unmistakable  signs  of  heartfelt 
commiseration  for  his  unhappy  and  exiled  condition.  They  said  he  was 
their  rightful  and  liege  lord  as  the  heir  of  a  long  line  of  princes,  and  had 
many  of  the  qualities  of  an  excellent  sovereign.  He  was  diligent,  if  lie 
was  dull.  He  was  thrifty,  with  all  his  parsimony.  He  was  brave,  notwith- 
standing his  weaknesses.  He  was  even  truthful  when  not  under  the 
fatal  influence  of  his  religion. 


368 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


William  was  alive  to  the  possible  consequences  of  this  change  in  pub- 
lic opinion.  The  power  of  a  less  watchful,  less  cautious,  less  determined 
ruler  would  have  been  quickly  undermined.  He  knew  that  he  must  act, 
there  was  no  standing  idle,  and  his  acts  were  criticised  by  his  Privy 
Council,  who  were  intriguing  with  each  other.  He  wished  to  do  justice 
to  all  parties,  but  justice  would  satisfy  none  of  them.  The  Tories  soon 
hated  him  for  protecting  the  Dissenters.  The  Whigs  hated  him  for  pro- 
tecting the  Tories.  Members  of  his  own  household  were  in  correspond- 
ence with  James.  Insincerity  lurked  everywhere.  He  stood  as  it  were 
upon  a  volcanic  crater,  and  was  perfectly  aware  of  his  danger.  Great 
events  were  following  each  other,  also,  in  rapid  succession,  —  war  with 
France,  revolt  in  Ireland,  anarchy  in  Scotland.  What  time  had  the 
worried  monarch  to  think  of  his  distant  and  less  important  American 
colonies  ? 

But  there  came  a  moment  when  he  was  brought  to  a  painful 

July  4.  ... 

sense  of  their  condition.  It  was  when  the  reports  w  hich  had  been 
sent  in  May  from  New  York  and  Boston  reached  Whitehall.  He  discovered 
that  he  had  been  duped  into  committing  a  deplorable  mistake  through  the 
tact  of  Dr.  Mather  and  Sir  William  Phipps.  He  saw  that  Andros  had 
been  imprisoned  because  he  had  executed  the  orders  of  his  lawf  ul  English 
sovereign.  Such  orders  it  was  not  William's  policy  to  undervalue.  But 
even  then,  with  European  affairs  pressing  heavily  upon  him,  he  hardly 
managed  with  characteristic  prudence  and  foresight.  lie  inclined 
towards  pouring  oil  over  rather  than  probing  wounds. 

As  for  the  tangle  in  New  York,  it  had  not  yet  burst  in  its  full  propor- 
tions upon  the  minds  of  either  William  or  his  ministers.  Both  parties 
having  written  to  them  in  such  a  loyal  strain,  it  was  regarded  as  a  mere 
internal  dispute  which  a  few  royal  words  would  quickly  settle.  They 
were  accordingly  penned  to  Nicholson. 

The  letter  was  addressed  to  "Our  Lieutenant-Governor  a*nd  Com- 
mander-in-Chief of  our  Province  of  New  York  in  America,  and  in  his 
absence,  to  such  as  for  the  time  being  take  care  for  preserving  the  peace 
and  administering  the  laws  in  our  said  Province  of  New  York  in  Amer- 
ica." And  Nicholson  was  ordered  to  take  up  the  government  of  the 
province,  call  to  his  assistance  the  chief  freeholders,  and  "  do  and  per- 
form all  the  requirements  of  the  office."  John  RiggS,  who  bore  the  letters 
from  Nicholson  and  his  council  to  the  king,  was  intrusted  with  this  im- 
portant document  on  his  return  to  New  York.  Before  he  sailed,  Nichol- 
son reached  London.  Supposing  all  communications  addressed  to  him 
would  he  opened  by  the  counselors  Philipse,  Van  Cortlandt,  and  Bayard, 
no  effort  was  made  to  have  them  altered,  and  as  the  vessel  was  under 

orders  Biggs  proceeded  on  his  voyage 


NEW  YORK  THREATENED  BY  THE  FRENCH.  369 


Nicholson  proceeded  to  Whitehall  and  had  a  personal  interview  with 
the  kin"    He  related  what  had  occurred  in  New  York ;  and  a 

/-1        Aus-  31. 

few  hours  later  he  repeated  the  same  to  the  Plantation  Com- 
mittee. It  was  quickly  decided  to  send  a  governor  to  New  York,  and 
two  days  later  William  in  council  appointed  Colonel  Henry  Sloughter 
to  that  office.  Nicholson  strove  to  obtain  the  post,  but  did  not  possess 
sufficient  interest  in  court.  He  was,  however,  appointed  lieutenant-gov- 
ernor of  Virginia,  which  was  an  emphatic  approval  of  his  conduct  in 
New  York. 

There  was  no  reason  why  Sloughter  should  not  have  gone  at  once  to 
his  government,  only  that  the  troubles  in  Ireland  absorbed  universal  at- 
tention just  then.  The  English  navy  too  was  in  a  wretched  condition, 
and  all  the  vessels  in  the  kingdom  were  in  demand  as  convoys  for  Wil- 
liam's army.  Sloughter's  commission  and  instructions  did  not  pass  the 
Great  Seal  until  January  4, 1690.  Meanwhile  he  had  proposed  that  New 
York  should  include  Connecticut,  the  Jerseys,  and  Pennsylvania.  The 
suggestion  was  not  favored  by  the  king  or  council.  Then  he  proposed  to 
add  Plymouth  to  New  York,  and  Secretary  Blathwayt  actually  included 
it  in  the  draft  of  the  commission.  But  Dr.  Mather  heard  of  it,  and  ap- 
peared in  time  to  argue  the  question,  and  persuade  the  Lords  that  the 
addition  of  Plymouth  would  be  more  inconvenient  than  serviceable. 
Therefore  it  was  stricken  out. 

Meanwhile  it  was  rumored  that  the  French  had  a  design  upon  New 
York,  and  if  successful  "  would  put  to  the  torture  "  some  two  hundred 
Huguenot  families  who  had  settled  in  the  province.  Louis  XIY.  had 
actually  instructed  Count  Frontenac  to  prepare  an  expedition  without 
loss  of  time,  and  proceed  both  by  land  and  by  water  against  the  little  city 
on  Manhattan  Island ;  Albany  was  to  be  surprised,  and  the  army  were  to 
"  cut  in  below,  to  secure  the  vessels  on  the  river " ;  the  English  settle- 
ments in  the  neighborhood  of  Manhattan  Island  were  to  be  destroyed, 
and  "all  officers  and  principal  inhabitants  from  whom  ransoms  could  be 
exacted,  detained  in  prison."  Louis  ordered  that  the  French  refugees 
who  should  be  found  in  New  York,  particularly  those  of  the  pretended 
Reformed  religion,  should  be  shipped  to  France.1 

Prominent  men  in  New  York  appealed  to  the  king  to  send  a  large 
force  to  protect  the  "  center  of  all  the  English  plantations."  Anxiety 
settled  like  a  heavy  cloud  over  the  city.  The  » Committee  of  Safety 
asked  the  Bishop  of  London  to  intercede  with  the  king  and  obtain  au- 
thority for  Leisler,  in  order  to  defend  New  York  until  Sloughter's  arrival, 

1  Memoir  of  Instructions  to  Count  Frontenac.  Paris  Doc,  IV.  Doc.  Hist.  New  York, 
I.  295. 

18 


370 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


which  it  had  been  hinted  might  not  occur  until  spring.  But  no  such 
authority  was  given  Leisler. 

Ensign  Stoll  reached  London  with  the  August  dispatches  of 

Leisler,  in  November.  "William  referred  them  quietly  to  Secretary 
Shrewsbury.     Stoll  was  loud  and  opinionated,  and  elicited  very  little 

notice.  His  vapid  talk  wearied  the  courtiers.  When  he  asked 
'  for  a  written  approval  of  Leisler's  acts,  the  question  was  evaded. 
He  had  the  assurance  to  suggest  a  suspension  of  Sloughter's  commission, 
which  was  treated  with  cool  indifference.  He  made  hhnself  conspicuous 
in  England  only  as  a  miserable  failure,  and  he  would  have  done  Leisler 
far  better  service  to  have  remained  in  New  York. 

Matthew  Clarkson,  who  went  to  London  in  the  same  vessel  with  Stoll, 
fared  differently.  He  was  a  gentleman.  His  father  was  an  eminent 
divine,  the  Eev.  David  Clarkson,  of  Yorkshire.  His  family  were  well 
known  at  Whitehall ;  and,  besides,  he  was  a  young  man  of  culture  and 
refinement.  His  sister  was  the  wife  of  Captain  Lodwyck,  and  coming 
here  to  visit  her,  three  years  before,  he  had  determined  to  make  New 
York  his  home.  He  obtained  the  appointment  of  Secretary  of  the  prov- 
ince, with  power  to  choose  his  own  deputies,  and  returned  with  Sloughter. 
He  soon  after  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  Gerritsen  Van  Schaick  of 
Albany.1 

Biggs  arrived  in  Boston  in  December.    He  learned  that  Colonel 

Dec 

Bayard  was  in  Hartford  at  the  house  of  Governor  Treat,  and  wrote 
to  him  to  say  when  he  should  arrive  in  New  York.  Bayard  hastened 
home  privately,  never  doubting  but  that  the  king's  orders  were  specific 
enough  now  to  set  the  wheels  of  government  rolling  properly. 

Biggs  reached  Bayard's  house  late  on  Sunday  evening,  and  met  with  a 
warm  welcome.  But  he  had  received  advice  in  Boston  which  caused 
him  great  embarrassment.  The  wise  men  of  that  wise  city  had  told  him 
that  he  must  give  the  king's  letter  to  Leisler,  who  was  in  actual  com- 
mand of  the  province.  It  was  his  own  private  belief  that  Leisler  would 
refuse  to  receive  and  act  upon  a  royal  communication  which  was  clearly 
intended  for  other  parties.  In  order  to  avoid  personal  difficulty,  he 
requested  that  all  three  of  the  counselors  should  be  present  and  witness 

1  One  of  the  curiosities  of  historical  research  in  New  York  is  the  confusion  of  orthography 
in  the  matter  of  proper  names.  There  was  no  standard  orthography  in  the  old  Dutch  lan- 
guage at  that  early  period.  Each  individual  seemed  to  spell  according  to  his  own  fancy- 
Dutch  names  became  Anglicized  in  part,  and  Dutc  h,  Knglish,  and  French  wen  often  blended 
together.  It  is  sometimes  almost  impossible  to  trace  family  names.  We  have  on  instance 
in  Gerritsen  Van  Schaick.  In  some  of  the  old  documents  his  name  is  written  Gosen  Van 
Schaick;  in  others,  (Joose  Van  Schaick;  and  in  very  many,  < Jerri ts  Goose.  A  hundred  in- 
stances of  a  similar  character  might  be  cited  within  as  many  pages. 


THE  KING'S  LETTER. 


371 


his  surrender  of  the  packet.  Philipse  was  sent  for,  but  Van  Cortlandt 
was  out  of  town,  too  far  away  to  be  reached  that  night. 

Early  the  next  morning,  before  it  was  possible  for  the  counselors  to 
meet,  Leisler  sent  a  company  of  armed  soldiers  to  convey  Biggs  from  his 
lodgings  to  the  fort.  He  had  no  alternative  but  obedience,  yet  he  de- 
tained the  escort  under  pretence  of  finishing  his  breakfast  until  he  could 
dispatch  an  earnest  request  to  Philipse  to  come  with  Van  Cortlandt  (who 
had  been  sent  for  during  the  night)  to  the  fort  and  meet  him  in  Leisler's 
presence.  There  was  no  time  lost,  and  the  two  counselors  arrived  almost 
as  soon  as  himself.  They  were  warmed  into  violent  excitement  by  the 
importance  of  the  case,  and  sharply  asserted  that  they  were  the  persons 
to  whom  the  packet  was  addressed.  Leisler  denied  their  claim.  He 
held  the  reins  of  government,  of  which  fact  the  king  was  aware,  and  to 
him-,  and  to  him  alone,  the  address  referred.  Hot  words  accomplished 
nothing.  Leisler's  corollary  was  a  weak  one,  and  yet  under  the  circum- 
stances beyond  refutation.  Besides,  he  had  the  advantage  of  present 
power.  The  counselors  were  conscious  of  being  in  the  right,  but  their 
exasperation  only  aggravated  previous  acrimony.  New  York  long  groaned 
under  the  complication  of  miseries  which  resulted  from  that  singular 
interview. 

Eiggs  gave  Leisler  the  king's  packet,  and  Leisler  gave  Eiggs  a  written 
receipt  for  it.  Leisler  then  turned  upon  Philipse  and  Van  Cortlandt,  and 
called  them  "  popishly  affected  dogs  and  rogues,"  and  ordered  them  to 
"  be  gone."  As  for  the  people  who  rallied  wildly  around  their  supposed 
democratic  chief,  they  were  kept  entirely  in  the  dark  as  to  the  contents 
of  the  king's  letter  to  Nicholson.  It  never  was  read  openly  during 
Leisler's  rule. 

Leisler  proceeded  to  announce  publicly  that  he  had  received  a  com- 
mission from  the  king  to  be  the  lieutenant-governor  of  the  province.  He 
assumed  the  station  and  the  title.  He  appointed  a  council,  consisting 
of  Peter  De  Lanoy,  Hendrick  Jansen,  Dr.  Gerardus  Beekman,  Samuel 
Edsall,  Thomas  Williams,  and  William  Lawrence,  administering  the  usual 
oaths.  He  made  Milborne  Clerk  of  the  Council  and  Secretary  of  the 
province,  and  with  great  ceremony  and  military  parade  he  caused  Wil- 
liam and  Mary  to  be  proclaimed  anew. 

There  was  no  seal  for  the  province  of  New  York,  as  Andros  had  broken 
that  of  1687,  when  New  England  was  consolidated  ;  hence  Leisler 
ingeniously  manufactured  one  by  altering  the  Duke's  coronet  in  e°" 
his  old  seal  of  16G9,  placing  the  crown  of  England  upon  his  head.  When 
Sunday  morning  came,  Leisler  with  devout  ostentation  walked  into  the 
old  Dutch  Church,  where  he  had  so  long  been  one  of  the  deacons,  and 


372 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


took  his  seat  in  the  governor's  pew.  His  new  council  seated  themselves 
in  the  pew  set  apart  for  that  august  body  of  men.  Angry  breezes  seemed 
to  blow  through  the  length  and  the  breadth  of  the  sacred  edifice  that 
day,  and  never  in  the  memory  of  the  oldest  church-goer  did  Dominie 
Selyns  find  it  so  difficult  to  hold  the  attention  of  his  congregation. 

Leisler,  transformed  into  a  royal  chief,  sternly  inculcated  the  doctrine 
of  passive  obedience.    The  larger  portion  of  the  intelligent  class  of  in- 
habitants knew  that  his  extraordinary  assumption  had  no  foundation  in 
fact,  and  that  his  acts  under  the  circumstances  could  not  be  sustained 
by  law.    He  issued  a  proclamation  that  the  customs  and  excise 

Dec.  16. 

duties  settled  by  the  Colonial  Act  of  1683  remained  in  force.  The 
Act  had  been  disallowed  by  James,  but  the  duties  it  levied  had  been 
continued  by  the  order  of  Dongan.  Leisler  had  been  the  very  first  man 
to  refuse  to  pay  duties  under  that  order.  He  had  called  it  a  "  popish 
Act,"  and  had  made  more  noise  and  trouble  in  relation  to  it  than  any 
other  merchant  in  New  York.  Now  he  was  about  to  enforce  it  by  Ins 
own  arbitrary  decree.  It  was  the  death-blow  to  democratic  theories  in 
the  popular  mind. 

There  was  a  bristle  of  opposition,  and  an  outburst  of  rage  that  was 
something  fearful.  At  first  it  was  vented  upon  the  proclamation  itself  J 
it  was  torn  down  and  a  paper  declaring  its  illegality  affixed  in  its  place; 
The  next  day  a  duplicate  of  the  proclamation  was  posted,  together  with 
an  order  forbidding  any  person  to  deface  or  take  it  away,  lint  as  the 
shades  of  night  fell  over  the  city  it  met  witli  the  same  late  as  its  prede- 
cessor. Several  persons  were  arrested  under  suspicion  of  having  done 
the  mischief  and  were  thrown  into  the  prison  in  the  fort.  They  were 
seized  and  dragged  into  confinement  without  the  slightest  opportunity  for 
self-defense.  Among  them  were  two  lads,  one  of  whom  was  Cornel  is,  the 
younger  brother  of  Captain  Abraham  De  Peyster.  Upon  investigation 
it  was  found  that  the  proclamation  was  undisturbed  at  the  time  of  their 
commitment,  but  they  were  kept  in  custody,  and  refused  bail,  until  their 
friends  petitioned  for  their  release,  addressing  Leisler  as  lieutenant-gov- 
ernor. 

An  Indian  slave  belonging  to  Philip  French  was  arrested  and  impris- 
oned on  suspicion  of  having  a  part  in  tearing  down  the  proclamation, 
French  was  highly  indignant,  and  expressed  his  opinion  in  contemptuous 
terms  of  the  "self-styled  lieutenant-governor."  He  was  quickly  arrested 
and  thrown  into  the  fort  dungeon.  He  offered  bail,  but  it  was  not  ac- 
cepted. The  small  high  windows  of  his  cell  were  nailed  carefully,  and 
a  strict  watch  kept  outside.  His  friends  were  not  permitted  to  see  him; 
even  his  lawyer  was  denied  access,  and  he  was  treated  more  barbarously 


THE  JAILS  AND  PRISONS  FILLED. 


373 


than  a  convicted  felon.  About  the  middle  of  February  a  message  was 
surreptitiously  conveyed  to  him  that  one  of  his  vessels  (he  was  a  large 
shipping-merchant),  containing  a  valuable  cargo,  was  wrecked  on  the  rocks 
near  New  London,  and  the  urgent  necessity  for  giving  personal  attention 
to  the  matter  induced  him  to  bend,  and  address  a  humble  petition  to 
Leisler,  according  him  the  title  of  lieutenant-governor,  and  asking  for 
release  upon  the  consideration  of  five  hundred  pounds  bail.  In  a  few 
days  he  was  set  at  liberty. 

Leisler  was  quick  of  superficial  apprehension  and  acted  with  re- 
markable promptitude.  He  possessed  the  elements  of  administrative 
capacity,  but  ignorance  and  inexperience  in  matters  of  state  effectually 
clogged  his  pathway.  His  proceedings  were  all  attended  with  vexation, 
and  with  more  or  less  danger.  Many  who  hailed  him  in  the  first  in- 
stance as  their  protector  from  the  evils  of  despotism  and  popery  were 
disappointed  and  became  his  bitterest  opponents.  His  dogmatism  bore 
him  with  the  swiftness  of  an  arrow  into  blunders  which  no  after  repent- 
ance could  retrieve. 

He  issued  new  commissions,  making  justices,  sheriffs,  and  military 
officers  in  the  various  counties  of  New  York.  Then  he  ordered  all  per- 
sons holding  commissions  from  former  governors  to  surrender  them  to 
the  nearest  magistrates.  This  last  was  in  a  multitude  of  instances  openly 
ami  sneeringly  disregarded.  Officers  prowled  about  the  country  arresting 
those  who  rebelled,  and  the  prisons  were  soon  found  too  small  to  hold 
such  an  army  of  captives.  The  jails  and  prisons  were  enlarged,  and  all 
rendered  more  secure.  To  try  the  prisoners  Leisler  commissioned  courts 
of  oyer  and  terminer,  and  to  compel  the  payment  of  customs  and  excise 
duties  he  erected  a  court  of  exchequer.  Thomas  Clarke,  a  thorough  Eng- 
lish lawyer,  appeared  before  this  tribunal,  and  boldly  declared  that  no 
member  had  a  commission  from  the  reigning  king  to  be  a  baron  of  his 
exchequer. 

Leisler  wrote  a  long  letter  to  King  William,  explanatory  of  his  con- 
duct ;  but  it  was  a  clumsy  document.  He  said  lie  had  acted  upon  the  royal 
letter  to  Nicholson,  "although  two  of  Sir  Edmund  Andros's  council  pre- 
tended thereunto."  He  stated  that  his  course  had  oiven  great  satisfac- 
tion  to  most  of  the  people  in  the  province.  At  the  very  moment  he  was 
penning  those  lines,  his  son  was  acting  the  part  of  a  spy,  to  prevent  the 
transmission  of  a,  different  style  of  communications  from  Philipse,  Van 
Cortlandt,  and  others.  When  Leisler  learned  that  Andros  and  his  fellow- 
prisoners  were  about  to  be  sent  to  London,  he  determined  to  prevent  any 
letters  from  disaffected  persons  reaching  Huston,  to  be  conveyed  by  them 
to  England,  and  caused  the  arrest  of  the  post-rider,  John  Perry,  about 


374 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


one  fourth  of  a  mile  beyond  the  house  of  Colonel  Lewis  Morris  in  West- 
chester, where  it  was  known  he  frequently  stopped  for  postal  matter. 
The  mail-bag  was  opened,  and  found  to  contain  private  letters  from 
Bayard,  Van  Cortlandt,  Brockholls,  Morris,  Nicolls,  Reed,  and  many 
others.  All  criticised  Leisler  and  his  associates  virulently  and  unspar- 
ingly. The  post-rider  was  thrown  into  prison,  from  which  he  was  not 
released  for  many  months.  Leisler  announced  that  he  had  detected  a 
"  hellish  conspiracy  "  against  the  government.  He  issued  warrants  for 
the  apprehension  of  each  of  the  gentlemen  who  had  w  ritten  to  White- 
hall. 

Colonel  Bayard  was  the  first  on  the  list,  and  the  most  rancorously  pur- 
sued. The  soldiers  swore  that  they  had  orders  to  take  him  "  dead  or 
alive."  They  broke  in  the  doors  of  his  house,  destroyed  furniture  as  they 
went  from  room  to  room,  and  were  profane  and  insolent  to  Mrs.  Bayard 
and  other  members  of  his  household.  Bayard  had  secreted  himself  in 
the  cellar  of  a  cooper  in  the  rear  of  his  dwelling,  where  they  found  him 
at  last,  and  dragged  him  in  a  most  abusive  manner  to  the  fort.  He  was 
immediately  manacled  with  irons,  and  the  ponderous  door  of  the  prison 
closed  upon  him. 

Van  Cortlandt's  house  was  broken  open  in  the  same  riotous  manner, 
but  he  had  made  his  escape,  and  his  wife,  dreading  a  repetition  of  former 
scenes,  had  fled  with  him.  Some  weeks  elapsed  before  Mrs.  Van  Cort- 
landt ventured  to  return,  and  even  then  her  liberty  was  threatened  and 
her  children  insulted.  A  serious  illness  broke  out  in  her  family  and  one 
beloved  child  died,  but  the  husband  and  father  could  only  learn  of  his 
affliction  in  his  refuge  at  Hartford,  and  at  the  same  time  grieve  that  his 
loyalty  was  misinterpreted,  his  honor  stained,  his  credit  blasted,  and  his 
large  estate  running  to  decay. 

William  Nicolls,  after  escaping  the  soldiers  through  various  stratagems, 
was  finally  seized  at  the  Long  Island  ferry-house,  and  cast  into  the  ill- 
ventilated  dungeon  beside  Colonel  Bayard.  Tie  was  a  spirited  young 
man  of  thirty-three,  the  son  of  Matthias  Nicolls,  the  former  secretary  of 
the  province.  Like  his  father,  young  Nicolls  was  an  aristocral  ;  and  he 
had  been  conspicuous  in  his  denunciations  of  Leisler,  whom  he  called  a 
"  German  upstart."  He  was  the  attorney-general  of  the  province  (since 
1687),  and  his  character  for  courage  and  professional  ability  stood  high. 
He  was  also  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  the  chief  ground  of  his  imprison- 
ment was  his  refusal  to  surrender  his  commission  under  Leisler's  edict. 
He  was  a  bachelor,  but  three  years  later  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Jere- 
mias  Van  Rensselaer.1 

1  Van  Cortlandt  to  Sir  Edmund  Andros,  May  19,  1690,   Hobcrt  Livingston  to  Sir  Edmund 


PURSUIT  OF  ROBERT  LIVINGS TO X. 


375 


It  was  rumored  that  both  Bayard  and  Nicolls  were  to  be  tried  for  trea- 
son. Meanwhile  Bayard  was  very  sick  in  prison.  His  life  was 
in  imminent  danger  unless  he  could  obtain  medical  attention  and  169°* 
physical  comforts.  He  therefore  penned  a  humble  petition  to  Leisler, 
addressing  him  as  "  lieutenant-governor,"  and  after  promising  respect  and 
deference  for  the  future,  asked  for  pardon  and  release.  Leisler  was  im- 
mensely gratified  with  the  concession.  But  Bayard  was  too  dangerous 
an  enemy  to  be  allowed  to  run  at  large  with  impunity,  and  the  petition 
was  denied.  Ahundant  bail  was  offered  and  refused.  Both  Bayard  and 
Nicolls  were  kept  in  miserable  cells  for  thirteen  months,  until  the  arri- 
val of  Sloughter. 

In  spite  of  all  these  rigorous  measures  Leisler  found  that  much  of  the 
fruit  of  leadership  was  exceedingly  unpalatable.  He  could  command  little 
respectful  consideration  save  at  the  point  of  the  sword.  He  was  called 
"  Lieutenant  Blockhead,"  "  Deacon  Jailor,"  "  Governor  Dog-driver,"  and 
other  uncomplimentary  epithets.  Those  who  were  fearless  in  the  use 
of  their  tongues  were  unsparingly  punished.  Sometimes  pardon  was 
obtained  through  a  deferential  oath;  though  such  was  the  exception, 
not  the  rule.  Christopher  Gere  was  imprisoned  for  being  heard  to 
say  that  he  was  "just  as  much  lieutenant-governor  as  Mr.  Leisler." 

Robert  Livingston  incurred  Leisler's  wrath,  and  was  pursued  until  he 
was  obliged  to  escape  from  the  province  to  avoid  prison  fare.  He  found 
refuge  in  Hartford  with  his  brother-in-law  Van  Cortlandt.  Both  gentle- 
men were  made  welcome  at  the  hospitable  home  •  of  Governor  Treat. 
Livingston's  offense  was  disloyalty  to  Leisler.  His  influence  in  the 
Albany  Convention,  and  his  great  wealth  and  resolute  character,  made 
him  a  formidable  adversary.  Leisler  charged  him  with  being  a  "  Jacob- 
ite," and  the  ground  of  the  accusation  was  his  having  been  heard  to  say, 
in  the  early  part  of  the  disturbance,  that  "  a  parcel  of  rebels  had  gone  out 
of  Holland  into  England  with  the  Prince  of  Orange  at  their  head."  Liv- 
ingston's lands  were  seized  for  taxes  which  he  defiantly  refused  to  pay. 
And  all  this  time  Albany  stood  out  against  Leisler,  notwithstanding  that 
he  issued  a  commission  to  Captain  Staats  with  an  order  to  take  posses- 
sion of  Fort  Orange.2    Mayor  Schuyler  and  the  Convention  demanded 

Andros,  April  14,  1690.  Mr.  Newton  to  Captain  Nicholson,  May  26,  1690.  John  Clapp  to 
Secretary  of  State,  November  7,  1690.  The  Address  of  New  York  Merchan  ts  to  William  and 
Mary,  May  19,  1690.  William  Nicolls  to  George  Farewell,  June  24,  1690.  "A  Modest  and 
Impartial  Narrative."  Doc.  Hist.  New  York,  Vol.  II.  Col.  Doc,  Vol.  III.  New  York  Hist. 
Soc.  Coll.  (1868).  (Maimers'  Political  Annals.  Brodliead,  II.  Dunlap.  Smith.  Leisler's 
Memorials  to  William  and  Mary. 

2  Captain  Jochim  Staats  married  for  his  second  wife  Francina,  the  younger  daughter  of 
Jacob  Leisler. 


376 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


sight  of  the  king's  letter  to  Nicholson.  As  it  was  withheld  they  declined 
to  acknowledge  Leisler  as  lieutenant-governor. 

Events,  however,  were  close  at  hand  which  were  likely  to  subordinate 
for  a  time  all  minor  considerations.  The  orders  received  by  Count 
Frontenac  to  commence  hostilities  against  New  England  and  New  York 
"  afforded  him,"  so  he  wrote,  "  considerable  pleasure,  and  were  very  neces- 
sary for  the  country."  He  immediately  organized  three  different  detach- 
ments, "  to  attack  those  rebels  at  all  points  at  the  same  moment,  and  thus 
punish  them  for  having  protected  the  Mohawks."  One  of  these  ravaged 
Maine  and  destroyed  the  village  of  Salmon  Falls,  now  Berwick  in  New 
Hampshire,  and  then,  in  conjunction  with  the  second,  burned  Portland, 
alarming  the  whole  eastern  frontier  of  New  England. 

The  third  and  most  important  of  the  detachments  marched  towards 
Albany.  It  was  composed  of  two  hundred  and  ten  men,  ninety-six  of 
whom  were  savages,  from  the  northern  tribes  of  the  Iroquois,  and  the 
rest  were  "the  best  qualified  Frenchmen  for  the  purpose."1  When  some 
five  or  six  days  out,  a  council  was  called  to  determine  the  route  they 
should  follow.  The  Indians  demanded  of  the  French  what  was  their 
intention.  Upon  being  informed  they  objected.  They  said  it  was  rash 
and  desperate,  for  Albany  was  stronger  than  the  French  supposed,  and 
the  attacking  party  was  too  weak.  It  was  finally  decided  to  first  destroy 
Schenectady.  After  a  severe  tramp  over  an  intensely  cold  and  moun- 
tainous country  covered  with  snow,  the  expedition  halted  within  six  miles 
of  the  doomed  town  on  four  o'clock  of  Saturday  afternoon.  A  reconnojter- 
ing  party  soon  reported  its  defenseless  condition,  and  a  little  before  mid- 
night the  benumbed  and  exhausted  Canadians  proceeded  to  their  fiendish 
task  with  barbaric  ferocity. 

The  town  was  in  the  form  of  a  parallelogram,  and  contained  upwards 
of  eighty  well-built  and  well-furnished  houses.  It  was  surrounded  by  a 
palisaded  wall,  and  could  be  entered  only  by  two  gates.  These  gates  were 
open,  for  no  one  apprehended  the  approach  of  an  enemy  from  Canada  in 
such  bitter  weather.  Besides,  Indian  scouts  were  stationed  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Lake  Champlain,  and  they  had  seen  nothing  to  occasion  any  alarm. 
And,  saddest  of  all,  the  town  within  was  divided  against  itself,  and  in  no 
condition  to  make  a  defense.  Leisler  had  been  trying  to  clinch  his  author- 
ity there  as  well  as  in  Albany,  and  some  were  for  him  and  some  were 
against  him.  The  magistrates  had  lost  their  authority,  and  Leisler's  new 
officers  had  not  been  able  to  establish  their  own.  Talmage  and  his  gar- 
rison were  half  starving  for  the  want  of  supplies  which  it  was  the  busi- 
ness of  the  town  to  furnish,  and  by  withholding  which  the  Leisler  faction 
were  determined  to  bring  them  to  submission. 

1  Taris  Documents.    Doc,  JJist.  New  York,  I.  297-302. 


BURNING  OF  SCHENECTADY. 


377 


All  unguarded  the  people  slept,  when  with  one  war-whoop  —  a  long, 
piercing,  indescribable  yell  —  the  miserable  work  was  begun.  Schuyler, 
in  writing  of  the  massacre,  said,  "  Neither  pen  nor  tongue  can  express  the 
horrors  of  that  cruel  night."  There  was  little  or  no  resistance.  The  fort 
was  the  only  place  under  arms ;  it  was  set  on  fire,  and  Talmage  and  his 
men  mercilessly  slaughtered.  The  sack  of  the  town  lasted  two  hours. 
Sixty  persons  were  killed,  and  about  an  equal  number  taken  prisoners. 
It  was  ordered  that  the  minister,  Dominie  Terschenmacker,  should  be 
taken  alive,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  information  from  him,  but  he  was 
slain  and  his  papers  burned  before  he  was  recognized,  and  afterwards  his 
head  was  put  upon  a  pole  and  carried  to  Canada.  Twenty-five  almost 
naked  survivors  made  their  escape  from  their  burning  homes,  and  pushed 
their  way  half  frozen  through  the  snow  to  Albany.  Some  thirty  Iroquois 
who  were  lodging  in  the  village  were  spared,  as  it  was  a  part  of  the  policy 
of  the  French  to  win  over  the  remainder  of  the  savages  through  kindness, 
and  the  striking  of  audacious  blows  against  the  English. 

Some  half-mile  above  the  village  lived  the  chief  magistrate  of  Schenec- 
tady, Captain  Alexander  Glen.  He  was  one  of  the  members  of  the  Albany 
Convention,  and  Leisler's  partisans  had  threatened  to  burn  his  house.  At 
daybreak  a  party  of  French  visited  him,  and,  finding  that  he  had  no  inten- 
tion of  surrendering,  but  was  putting  himself  on  the  defensive  with  his 
servants  and  some  Indians,  they  assured  him  that  in  consequence  of  cer- 
tain favors  formerly  received  at  his  hands,  he  and  his  people  and  property 
should  be  safe  from  violence.  He  accordingly  laid  down  his  arms  on  parole, 
entertained  the  officers  in  his  private  fort,  and  finally  accompanied  them 
to  the  burning  town.  Several  women  and  children  who  claimed  affinity 
with  him  were  released  from  captivity.  The  Canadian  savages  muttered 
because  their  prisoners  were  reduced  so  greatly  in  numbers,  and  said, 
"  Every  one  seems  to  be  a  relation  of  Captain  Glen ! "  The  next  day 
the  conquerors  set  out  on  their  homeward  journey,  taking  with  them  con- 
siderable plunder,  including  fifty  good  horses.  They  suffered  from  cold, 
hunger,  and  disease  on  the  way,  ate  thirty-four  of  the  horses,  were  several 
times  attacked  by  Indian  war-parties,  losing  many  of  their  tired  warriors, 
and  finally,  with  a  mere  remnant  of  the  expedition,  reached  Montreal,  to 
report  a  victory  which  was  a  lasting  disgrace  to  the  French  nation. 

The  appalling  news  was  carried  to  Albany  by  Simon  Schermer- 
horn,  who,  wounded  himself,  and  on  a  lame  horse,  entered  the 
town  Sunday  morning.    Schuyler  at  once  ordered  the  guns  of  the  fort  to 
be  fired  to  summon  the  people  together.    There  w  as  no  church-going  that 
day.    All  was  hurry  of  preparation  for  carnage.    An  express  was  sent 
through  the  deep  snow  to  Esopus,  and  to  Claverack  for  assistance,  it  being 


378 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


supposed  Albany  would  be  next  attacked.  It  was  soon  discovered,  how- 
ever, that  the  enemy  had  departed  for  Canada.  A  party  of  men 
'  were  sent  to  Schenectady  to  bury  the  dead  on  Monday.  The  Con- 
vention then  wrote  to  the  governments  of  Massachusetts,  Connecticut, 
Maryland,  and  Virginia,  and  to  "  the  civil  and  military  officers  of  New 
York,"  proposing  that  all  should  join  in  an  attempt  to  take  Quebec  by 
water  in  the  spring.  Thus  from  Albany  in  her  distress  came  the  first 
suggestion  of  a  union  of  the  English  colonies  to  attack  the  French. 

Schuyler  sent  for  the  Mohawk  sachems,  who  came  and  mourned 

Feb  25. 

'  over  the  calamity  that  had  befallen  Schenectady.  They  promised 
to  join  the  English  in  an  effort  to  ruin  the  French  country  and  bring  the 
war  to  an  end.1  The  consolidation  of  American  strength  to  intimidate  the 
foe  at  the  north  by  this  means  received  inspiration,  as  the  savages  were 
worth  a  dozen  armies  such  as  the  colonies  could  furnish.  Leisler  was  up 
and  doing  as  soon  as  he  heard  of  the  massacre.  He  made  it  his  first  busi- 
ness to  disarm  and  imprison  about  forty  officers  who  held  commissions 
from  Governor  Andros.  He  also  issued  warrants  for  the  arrest  of  Ex-Gov- 
ernor Dongan,  Ex-Mayor  Willett,  Thomas  Hicks,  and  several  others,  under 
the  pretended  supposition  that  they  were  in  league  with  the  French. 
Dongan  was  obliged  to  leave  his  home,  and  fly  into  New  Jersey,  and 
from  there  to  Boston.  Several  New  Jersey  gentlemen,  among  whom  were 
William  Pinhorne  and  Andrew  Hamilton,  dared  not  venture  within  the 
precincts  of  New  York.  Leisler  imagined  that  "  cabals  "  were  being  held 
and  plans  matured  to  annihilate  his  authority,  and  rested  upon  military 
force  to  preserve  his  power. 

The  ugly  aspect  of  French  affairs  led  him  to  send  ambassadors  to  the 
various  colonies  to  confer  on  measures  for  public  safety.  For  immediate 
protection  he  raised  a  force  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  men  and  sent  them 
to  Albany.  As  it  was  a  moment  of  extreme  danger,  the  Convention 
allowed  them  to  enter  the  fort  peaceably.  De  Bruyn,  Milborne,  and  Pro- 
voost  were  in  command.  Leisler's  authority  was  thus  established.  He 
immediately  proceeded  to  confirm  the  mayor  and  other  city  officers  in 
their  places,  and  to  command  all  persons  to  respect  and  obey  them.  He 
also  ordered  that  "  no  one  asperse  or  reproach  another  under  penalty  of 
the  breach  of  the  peace."  A  common  danger  is  the  most  potent  of  har- 
monizing influences. 

In  April  Leisler  called  an  assembly  for  the  purpose  of  raising  money 

1  Robert  Livingston's  Verbatim  Aceount.  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.  (1869),  165-186.  Millet's 
Utter  of  July  6,  1691.  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y,  II.  91-95.  Colden,  I.  123-127.  Smith,  I.  105, 
106.  tf.  Y.  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.,  II.  105-109.  N.  Y.  Col.  MSS.,\\\.  692-710.  Brodhcad, 
IB  609-613.    Munsell's  Alb.  Col.,  III. 


THE  FIRST  COLONIAL  CONGRESS  IN  AMERICA.  379 


for  the  proposed  expedition  against  the  French.    It  met  at  the  house  of 
Alderman  Kobert  Walters,  Leisler's  son-in-law.  An  act  was  passed 
to  tax  property  real  and  personal.     But  before  other  business 
could  be  accomplished  petitions  came  pouring  in  like  hail-stones  for  the 
release  of  the  suffering  prisoners  in  the  fort.    Such  was  the  excitement, 
and  the  number  of  people  who  gathered  about  Walters'  house,  that  a  riot 
seemed  inevitable.    Leisler  was  not  in  the  humor  for  a  popular  inqui- 
sition, and  hastily  prorogued  the  Assembly  until  September. 
He  next  convened  a  congress  of  the  several  colonies  in  New 

May  1. 

York.  At  Livingston's  suggestion,  Massachusetts  had  already 
called  a  New  England  meeting  at  Rhode  Island.  This,  however,  was 
abandoned ;  and  the  first  North  American  Colonial  Congress  met  at  New 
York  on  the  call  of  Leisler.  The  delegates  from  Massachusetts  were  Wil- 
liam Stoughton  and  Samuel  Sewall ;  from  Plymouth,  John  Walley ;  from 
Connecticut,  Nathan  Gold  and  William  Pitkin ;  and  New  York  was  rep- 
resented by  Leisler  and  Mayor  De  Lanoy.  It  was  agreed  that  New  York 
should  furnish  four  hundred  men,  Connecticut  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
five,  Massachusetts  one  hundred  and  sixty,  Plymouth  sixty,  while  Mary- 
land promised  one  hundred.  Ehode  Island  could  not  send  men,  but 
would  raise  money  in  reasonable  proportion.  Leisler  at  once,  and  with 
commendable  vigor,  fitted  out  three  vessels  for  the  capture  of  Quebec,  — 
one  a  privateer  of  twenty  guns,  another  a  brigantine'  belonging  to  Captain 
Abraham  De  Peyster,  and  the  third  a  Bermudan  sloop.  Two  other  sloops 
were  also  sent  to  cruise  about  Block  Island,  and  to  see  that  Long  Island 
Sound  was  kept  clear  of  the  French.  Schuyler  at  Albany  had  meanwhile 
apprehended  the  French  agents  who  had  been  sent  to  treat  with 

May  27 

the  Mohawks,  and  despoiled  them  of  their  letters  and  presents. 
Four  Frenchmen  were  given  to  the  savages,  who  burned  two  of  them. 
D'Eau  was  sent  to  New  York.  Among  his  papers  was  the  Latin  letter 
of  Lamberville  to  Millet,  which  contained  certain  expressions  of  good-will 
toward  Dominie  Dellius  of  Albany,  which  resulted  in  Leisler's  charging 
that  clergyman  with  "  treasonable  correspondence  with  the  enemy." 

In  the  midst  of  all  this  commotion  Stoll  arrived  from  London  with 
information  which  greatly  troubled  Leisler.    The  king  had  taken 

.  .  May  20 

no  notice  of  him,  and  had  appointed  Nicholson  lieutenant-gov- 
ernor of  Virginia.  There  was  significance  in  the  fact.  Leisler  saw  too 
that  the  tide  of  popular  feeling  was  setting  against  him.  There  was  a 
great  outcry  about  the  taxes.  The  right  of  an  assembly  called  by  Leisler 
to  impose  them  was  stoutly  denied.  Presently  the  demands  for  the  re- 
lease of  Bayard  and  Nicolls  assumed  a  black  and  threatening  aspect. 
Leisler  was  one  day  assaulted  in  the  street,  and  but  that  he  never  ven- 

24 


380 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


tured  out  without  a  guard,  he  would  probably  have  been  killed.  The 
assailants  were  quickly  mastered,  and  some  twenty  or  more  of  them  were 
secured  in  irons.  Leisler  then  issued  a  proclamation,  that  all  who  would 
not  sign  a  declaration  of  fidelity  to  him,  as  representing  King  "William, 
should  be  esteemed  enemies  to  the  king  and  be  treated  accordingly. 
Through  marvellous  strength  of  will  Leisler  was  enabled  to  go  on  per- 
forming the  most  unjustifiable  acts  of  cruelty,  and  at  the  same  time 
succeeded  in  convincing  his  adherents  that  he  was  in  the  conscientious 
discharge  of  a  pious  duty. 

Complaints  were  not  wholly  checked  with  all  his  caution.  An  address 
to  William  and  Mary,  signed  by  the  French  and  Dutch  Dominies, 
several  elders  and  deacons,  and  many  leading  citizens,  was  dated 
May  19,  and  sent  across  the  water.  It  stated  that  New  York  was 
ruled  by  the  sword,  "at  the  sole  will  of  an  insolent  alien,  assisted  by 
those  who  formerly  were  not  thought  fit  to  bear  the  meanest  office,  sev- 
eral of  whom  can  be  proved  guilty  of  enormous  crimes;  ....  and  they 
imprison  at  will,  open  letters,  seize  estates,  plunder  houses,  and  abuse 
the  clergymen." 

The  expedition  against  Canada  was  well  conceived.    Leisler  intended 
to  command  it  himself,  but  was  defeated  by  the  Albany  Convention. 
He  then  appointed  Milborne  commander-in-chief,  which  offended  New 
England,  where  Milborne  had  a  very  undesirable  reputation.  Win- 
throp  was  the  choice  of  the  army,  and  the  influence  was  so  strong  in  his 
favor  that  Leisler  revoked  his  unfit  appointment  and  issued  a  commission 
to  the  more  popular  general.    All  things  being  ready,  "Winthrop 
July14  marched  with  the  Connecticut  forces  to  Albany,  accompanied  by 
Livingston,  who  was  acquainted  with  the  route,  and  from  his  long  expe- 
rience in  diplomacy  with  the  Indians,  one  of  the  most  valuable  counselors 
in  the  whole  matter.    Winthrop  was  a  guest  in  Livingston's  family  dur- 
ing his  stay  at  Albany.    Winthrop  wrote  to  Treat  that  the  whole  design 
was  "  poorly  contrived  and  in  confusion."    Milborne  was  acting  as  com- 
missary, and  was  self-sufficient  and  incompetent.    The  quotas  of  men 
were  not  equal  to  those  promised  at  the  Congress.    After  many  days 
spent  in  frivolous  disputes  the  troops  went  north  as  far  as  the 
ug  '  head  of  Lake  Champlain.    But  word  followed  them  that  Milborne 
could  furnish  no  more  provisions  from  Albany,  and  while  they  were  try- 
ing to  construct  canoes  to  cross  the  lake,  small-pox  broke  out  iu 
ug'15'  the  camp,  and  they  were  obliged  to  return  to  Albany. 
Leisler  was  furious  at  this  failure,  and  hastened  to  Albany.  Milborne 
charged  it  all  to  the  interference  of  Livingston  and  the  imbecility 
Aug.  27.  ^  -yY-|nturop    Leisler  went  through  the  mere  form  of  an  exami- 


NEW  ROCHELLE. 


381 


nation,  and  placed  Winthrop  and  his  principal  officers  in  irons.  This  so 
outraged  the  Connecticut  soldiers  and  the  Mohawks,  that  Leisler  in  alarm 
set  his  prisoners  at  liberty,  but  he  ordered  Winthrop  to  appear  in  New- 
York  and  make  his  defense.  Connecticut  at  once  administered  a  cutting 
rebuke.  Her  governor  wrote  to  Leisler  :  "  If  you  are  concerned,  so  are 
we,  since  the  army  is  confederate  ;  and  if  you  alone  judge  upon  the  gen- 
eral's and  council  of  war's  actions,  it  will  infringe  our  liberty.  A  prison 
is  not  a  cathulicon  for  all  state  maladies,  though  so  much  used  by  you." 

One  masterly  achievement  blunted  the  edge  of  disappointment  as 
Canada  escaped  her  threatened  danger.  Captain  John  Schuyler,  a  young- 
man  of  twenty-two,  led  a  band  of  forty  Englishmen  and  one  hundred  and 
twenty  Indians  to  La  Prairie,  opposite  Montreal,  where  every  house  and 
haystack  was  burned,  one  hundred  and  fifty  head  of  cattle  destroyed, 
six  men  killed,  and  nineteen  prisoners  taken.  Thus  was  Schenectady 
avenged. 

A  great  naval  expedition  from  Boston,  under  the  command  of  Sir 
William  Phipps,  sailed  the  9th  of  August.  It  consisted  of  thirty 
vessels,  the  largest  of  which  carried  forty-four  guns.  But  the  men  ug  9' 
wdio  had  been  sent  over  from  England  were  newly  raised  and  badly  ap- 
pointed, and,  owing  to  the  want  of  pilots  and  the  autumn  storms,  it  did 
not  reach  Quebec  until  the  8th  of  October.  It  was  then  winter,  or 
nearly,  the  expedition  encountered  a  long  list  of  disasters,  aud  returned 
with  heavy  losses  and  without  spoil.  During  the  summer  and  early 
autumn,  however,  Leisler's  vessels  had  been  on  privateering  voyages, 
and  brought  into  New  York  several  French  prizes. 

The  Assembly  did  not  meet  in  September,  owing  to  Leisler's  absence 
in  Albany.    He  accordingly  issued  writs,  summoning  it  at  a  later 
day.    When  it  came  together  it  enacted  a  law  requiring  all  per-  ept'18' 
sons  who  had  left  the  province  to  return  within  three  wreeks  from  the 
time  of  its  publication,  under  pain  of  being  "esteemed  disobedient 
to  the  government."    Another  law  levied  a  new  tax  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  garrison  in  the  fort.    A  third  law  declared  that  any  0ct- 4- 
person  refusing  to  accept  a  civil  or  military  commission  from  Leisler 
should  be  fined  seventy-five  pounds  ;  and  that  any  one  leaving  Albany  or 
Ulster  without  permission  from   Leisler  should  be  fined  one  hundred 
pounds;  and  that  all  persons  who  had  left  those  counties  must  return 
within  fourteen  days,  "at  their  ut most  perils."    It  would  be  difficult  to 
find  in  the  annals  of  legislat  ion  more  despotic  enactments. 

New  Rochelle  was  founded  that  summer  by  a  colony  of  French  Hugue- 
nots. They  purchased  the  land  of  Leisler,  who  had  bought  it  of  Mr. 
Pell.    They  were  called  upon  almost  immediately  to  pay  taxes.  They 


382 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


resented  such  a  measure,  as  it  Avas  the  first  year  of  their  sojourn  upon  the 
property,  and  sent  petitions  to  Whitehall  to  be  relieved  from  such  in- 
sufferable duties. 

The  people  of  Queens  County  declared  against  the  government  of 
Leisler ;  and  Milborne,  who  had  been  withdrawn  from  Albany,  was  sent 
to  subdue  "with  violence  all  such  as  were  refractory."  Edsall  and 
Williams  were  commissioned  to  assist  him  in  searching  houses  and 
vessels  and  in  securing  suspected  persons.  Dominie  Varick  of  Flatbush 
was  arrested  and  imprisoned  for  too  much  freedom  of  speech.  An  at- 
tempt was  made  to  imprison  Dominie  Dellius  of -Albany,  for  praying  for 
the  crown  and  not  for  the  King  of  England,  but  he  escaped  to  Boston. 
Dominie  Selyns  offered  bail  for  Dominie  Varick,  and  was  grossly  abused. 
Dominies  Perret  and  Daille,  the  French  clergymen,  were  threatened  for 
withholding  their  approval  of  these  high-handed  proceedings. 

The  last  letter  which  Leisler  wrote  to  the  king  was  dated  Octo- 

Oct.  20. 

ber  20,  1690.    He  charged  the  failure  of  the  Canadian  campaign 
to  the  perfidy  of  New  England,  the  treachery  of  Livingston,  and  the  cow- 
ardice of  Winthrop.    Not  far  from  the  same  date  the  aggrieved 

Nov.  7. 

inhabitants  of  Hempstead,  Jamaica,  Flushing,  and  Newtown,  met 
and  wrote  to  the  king's  Secretary  of  State.  They  dwelt  with  bitter  em- 
phasis upon  their  oppressed  condition,  and  upon  the  tyrannical  acts  of 
the  "bold  usurper,"  and  his  accomplices.  They  said  Milborne,  who  was 
famous  for  nothing  but  infamy,  had  in  "  a  barbarous  and  inhuman  man- 
ner plundered  houses,  stripped  women  of  their  apparel,  and  sequestered 
estates."  They  begged  of  the  king  "  to  break  this  heavy  yoke  of  worse 
than  Egyptian  bondage,"  and  said  the  crimes  which  Leisler  had  com- 
mitted would  force  him  to  take  shelter  under  Catiline's  maxim,  "the  ills 
that  I  have  done  cannot  be  safe  but  by  attempting  greater." 

The  new  year  dawned  gloomily.  The  rising  wrath  of  the  peo- 
1891,  pie  of  the  metropolis  was  held  in  check  by  the  fort.  They  dared 
say,  however,  that  much  of  the  plunder  which  had  been  obtained  from 
houses,  shops,  cellars,  and  vessels  was  shipped  to  the  West  Indies  and 
elsewhere  and  sold  at  a  high  price.  The  most  extreme  measures  were 
resorted  to  for  the  collection  of  taxes ;  even  Leisler's  friends  were  aghast 
at  his  hot-headed  and  rancorous  persecutions.  But  they  could  not  hinder 
them.  He  was  deal'  and  blind  to  the  common  dictates  of  humanity, 
and  heeded  no  advice,  save  that  which  was  in  harmony  with  his  own 
severe  notions.  It  is  probable  that  fear  had  much  to  do  with  his  con- 
duct, as  he  saw  no  other  way  to  hold  the  chair  of  state  but  by  mere 
brutal  force.  Milborne  insinuated  himself  into  the  good  graces  of  Leis- 
ler's family,  and  kept  their  feelings  lashed  into  fever-heat  by  declaim- 


WEDDING  OF  LEI  SLEWS  DAUGHTER. 


383 


ing  against  the  aristocrats.  He  came  every  day  with  some  new  and 
dismal  skeleton,  which  was  to  alienate  them  more  effectually  from  their 
relatives  and  friends.  He  was  always  glowering,  and  how  he  came  to 
win  the  affections  of  the  gentle,  fair-haired,  blue-eyed  Mary  Leisler  must 
always  remain  a  mystery.  They  were  married  in  the  early  part  of  the 
year,  and  all  the  circumstances  in  connection  with  the  wedding  were  of  a 
depressing  instead  of  a  joyous  character.  Dominie  Selyns,  who  had  been 
their  pastor  for  a  long  series  of  years,  and  who  married  Catharine  Leisler 
to  Robert  Walters  in  1685,  was  not  invited  on  this  occasion.  A  few 
friends  only,  and  not  those  who  had  formerly  been  most  welcome  in  the 
household,  were  present ;  and  there  was  heaviness  in  the  air,  and  little 
light  in  the  sunshine.  That  very  evening  came  letters  from  Boston  to 
Leisler,  counseling  him  "  to  temper  justice  with  moderation  and  mercy, 
since  the  king's  own  settlement  of  the  matter  was  so  near."  Governor 
Sloughter  was  indeed  upon  the  water  and  might  arrive  at  any  moment. 
But  the  very  dread  of  his  coming  seems  to  have  made  Leisler  more  hard 
and  implacable. 

William  had  been  brought  to  a  sense  of  the  condition  of  New  York 
through  the  addresses  and  petitions  which  claimed  his  attention.  The 
frigate  Archangel  and  three  smaller  vessels  were  fitted,  after  much 
delay,  to  convey  Sloughter  to  his  government.  Richard  Ingoldsby,  who 
had  just  returned  from  victorious  service  under  William  in  Ireland,  was 
commissioned  lieutenant-governor.  Two  companies  of  soldiers  accom- 
panied these  officers  to  America. 

William  was  no  less  fond  of  sovereignty  than  James,  but  he  took 
broader  views,  and  was  much  the  more  politic  of  the  two.  He  ordained 
a  government  for  New  York  which  continued  substantially  in  operation 
for  nearly  a  century.  It  consisted  of  a  governor  and  council  appointed 
by  the  crown,  and  an  assembly  elected  by  a  majority  of  the  freeholders 
in  the  several  counties  of  the  province.  In  their  mimic  sphere  these 
authorities  shadowed  the  king,  lords,  and  commons  of  England.  Slough- 
ter's  commission  was  in  form  like  the  one  James  gave  Dongan  and 
Andros,  with  the  exception  of  the  permitted  Assembly.  In  case  of  the 
governor's  death  or  absence,  his  duties  were  to  be  executed  by  the  com- 
mander-in-chief, if  the  king  should  appoint  one,  or  by  "  the  first  coun- 
selor/' who  was  to  act  as  "  President."  William's  instructions  were 
similar  to  those  of  James  to  his  governors.  The  former  order  respecting 
the  Church  of  England  was  renewed,  by  which  the  Bishop  of  London 
was  to  have  ecclesiastical  jurisdiction  in  New  York.  Liberty  of  conscience, 
which  James  had  granted  to  all  peaceable  inhabitants,  was  restricted  by 
William  to  all  such  persons  "  except  papists."  The  liberty  of  printing 
was  limited  in  the  same  language  used  by  James. 


384 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


William  honorably  discharged  Andros  and  his  fellow-prisoners,  (who 
had  been  sent  from  Boston),  finding  no  just  cause  of  complaint  against 
them.  He  also  showed  his  appreciation  of  the  former  officers  of  the  colo- 
nial government  by  appointing  Frederick  Philipse,  Stephanus  Van  Cort- 
landt,  Nicholas  Bayard,  William  Smith,  Gabriel  Minvielle,  Chidley  Brooke, 
William  Nicolls,  Nicholas  De  Meyer,  Francis  Bombouts,  Thomas  Willett, 
William  Pinhorne,  and  John  Haines,  as  counselors  to  the  new  governor. 
Joseph  Dudley  of  Massachusetts  was  subsequently  added  to  this  council, 
and  also  made  chief  justice  of  the  province.  James  Grahame  was  ap- 
pointed recorder  and  attorney-general. 

The  name  of  Leisler  was  not  mentioned,  and  the  sting  was  destined  to 
be  incurable.  AU  the  papers  which  had  been  received  from  Leisler,  and 
the  petitions  from  the  inhabitants,  were  referred  by  the  king  and  his 
Privy  Council  to  Sloughter,  with  orders  to  examine  strictly  and  impar- 
tially into  the  case,  and  return  a  true  and  perfect  account. 

The  fleet  was  a  long  time  on  the  ocean.    The  vessels  separated 

Jaii  29 

'  in  a  storm,  and  three,  under  the  command  of  Ingoldsby,  were  the 
first  to  reach  New  York.    They  were  at  once  visited  by  Philipse,  Van 
Cortlandt,  and  several  other  gentlemen,  who,  impatient  of  delay,  urged  In- 
goldsby to  land  and  take  possession  of  the  fort.    He  accordingly  prepared 
to  do  so,  and  sent  a  message  to  Leisler  demanding  the  citadel  for  the 
king's  soldiers  and  their  stores.    But  Ingoldsby  was  only  commissioned  to 
obey  Sloughter,  and  of  this  technical  dilemma  Leisler  took  advantage. 
He  refused  to  yield  the  fort  unless  Ingoldsby  should  produce  written 
orders  from  the  king  or  governor.    He  sent  Milborne,  accompanied  by 
Mayor  De  Lanoy,  to  the  vessel  to  inspect  Ingoldsby's  documents,  and  to 
offer  the  City  Hall  for  the  use  of  the  king's  forces.    Ingoldsby  was  indig- 
nant ;  he  knew  t  hat  William  had  never  recognized  Leisler's  author- 
ity, and  in  high  temper  he  issued  a  mandate  to  Captain  Samuel 
Moore  of  Long  Island  for  aid  against  the  "  rebels  "  who  opposed  the  king. 
Leisler  issued  a  "  protest,"  and  a  call  to  the  neighboring  militia  to 
assist  him  in  enforcing  orders. 

A  day  or  two  passed,  when  Ingoldsby,  learning  that  "  malicious 
Fe  2'  rumors"  were  afloat  concerning  his  movements,  issued  a  proclama- 
tion that  he  had  not  come  to  disturb  but  to  protect  the  people.  The 
next  day  Leisler  proclaimed  that  he  was  ready  to  obey  Sloughter 
when  he  should  arrive,  but  forbade  all  persons  from  obeying  In- 
goldsby, who  had  no  orders.    It  was  not  long  before  Ingoldsby  was  well 
assured  that  the  current  of  popular  favor  was  in  his  behalf;  he  therefore 
landed  his  troops  witli  as  much  caution  as  if  he  had  been  making  "a  de- 
scent into  the  country  of  an  enemy,"  and  quartered  them  in  the  City  HalL 


BLOODSHED  IN  NEW  YORK. 


385 


He  then  sent  a  message  to  Leisler  with  an  order  to  release  Bayard  and 
Nicolls,  who  were  named  as  counselors  by  the  king.  This  was  the  rough- 
est blow  which  had  as  yet  descended  upon  the  misguided  man. 
"  What !  "  he  exclaimed,  white  and  trembling  with  passion,  "  those 
popish  dogs  and  rogues  !  "  The  answer  which  was  taken  back  to  Ingolds- 
by  was  to  the  effect  that  they  must  remain  confined  "  until  his  Majes- 
ty's further  orders  arrive." 

Time  moved  on  slowly.  Where  was  the  missing  frigate,  and  Governor 
Sloughter  ?  The  soldiers  on  both  sides  were  unruly.  A  story  was  circu- 
lated that  Ingoldsby  and  his  party  were  "  papists  "  and  disaffected  persons 
fled  from  England,  holding  only  forged  commissions.  Armed  men  and 
supplies  of  provisions  were  constantly  arriving  at  the  fort.  Leisler  for- 
bade the  king's  soldiers  from  going  the  rounds,  and  issued  voluminous 
threats.  The  city  was  in  a  great  tumult.  Six  of  the  counselors  named 
in  Sloughter's  commission  met  and  tried  to  straighten  matters.  They 
finally  issued  a  call  for  the  neighboring  militia,  to  prevent  any 
"  outrageous  and  hostile  proceedings "  on  the  part  of  Leisler. 
Leisler  replied  with  a  proclamation,  declaring  that  he  was  constrained  to 
take  up  arms  in  defense  of  "  their  Majesties'  supremacy,"  and  denounced 
the  illegal  proceedings  of  the  king's  own  officers.  He  also  wrote  a  flatter- 
ingly worded  letter  to  Governor  Sloughter,  who,  it  was  supposed,  had 
stopped  at  Bermuda,  expressing  the  hope  that  "  his  Excellency  "  might 
speedily  arrive. 

Matthew  Clarkson,  the  new  secretary,  who  had  come  on  the  ves- 
sel with  Ingoldsby,  wrote,  by  request  of  the  counselors,  to  the  gov- 
ernment of  Connecticut  for  advice.  A  response  came  quickly  from  Treat 
and  Allyn,  who  advised  that  anything  "  tolerable  and  redressible  "  had 
better  be  borne  from  Leisler  until  the  arrival  of  Sloughter.  At  the  same 
time  they  wrote  to  Leisler,  urging  him  to  "  so  act  and  demean  himself  as 
not  to  violate  the  peace  and  safety  of  the  country."  Dr.  Gerardus  Beek- 
man,  who  had  been  a  stanch  friend  of  Leisler  through  his  entire  rule,  was 
alarmed  at  the  course  the  -latter  was  pursuing,  and  foresaw  bloodshed  ;  he 
assembled  the  people  of  King's  and  Queen's  Counties,  who  framed  a  peace 
address,  and  he  took  it  upon  himself  to  confer  personally  with  Leisler  and 
attempt  to  dissuade  him  from  such  "  base  and  imprudent  proceedings.'' 

It  was  of  no  use.    Leisler  was  obtusely  stubborn.    He  prepared 
a  long  declaration  against  Ingoldsby  and  the  counselors,  and  or- 
dered them  to  disband  their  forces,  —  which  they  had  collected  to  the  num- 
ber of  several  hundred,  —  otherwise  they  would  be  pursued  and  destroyed. 
He  demanded  an  answer  wi tin n  two  hours.    It  came;  they  said 
they  wished  to  preserve  the  peace,  and  whoever  should  attack 


386 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Beekman  Arms. 


them  would  be  "public  enemies  to  the  Crown  of  England."  It  would 
seem  as  if  the  judgment  of  Leisler  was  wholly  unbalanced  just  at  this 
crisis.  He  probably  acted  under  the  most  intense  excitement.  He  had 
not  the  slightest  intention  of  disobeying  his  royal  master,  and  yet  he 

placed  himself  in  the  direct  attitude  of 
rebellion.  Within  half  an  hour  after  he 
received  Ingoldsby's  temperate  message  he 
fired  one  of  the  guns  of  the  fort  at  the 
king's  troops  as  they  stood  on  parade.  This 
was  followed  by  several  shots  at  a  house 
where  some  of  them  lodged.  Several  were 
wounded,  and  two  killed,  one  of  whom  was 
an  old  soldier,  Josiah  Bowne.  Consterna- 
tion spread  through  the  city.  The  guns  of 
the  fort  were  answered,  but,  safely  en- 
trenched behind  the  breastworks,  Leisler's 
party  did  not  suffer.  Leisler  ordered  the 
block-house  at  Smit's  Vlye  to  support  the  fire  from  the  fort.  The  com- 
mander, Brasher,  seeing  Ingoldsby's  soldiers  preparing  to  attack  him,  went 
to  the  fort  for  further  orders,  and  was  imprisoned  for  not  firing  at  ouce. 
In  his  absence  the  burgher-guard  at  the  block-house  laid  down  their  arms 
and  went  to  their  houses. 

This  defection  disheartened  Leisler.  The  next  day  he  fired  a  few  more 
shots,  which  did  no  harm.  Ingoldsby  held  his  men  on  the  defen- 
sive, expecting  a  sally  from  the  fort  at  any  moment.  To  distin- 
guish his  men  from  those  attached  to  Leisler  he  directed  them  to  Avear 
white  bauds  on  their  left  arms. 

At  this  distressing  moment  word  came  that  the  Archangel,  with  the 
„        governor  on  board,  had  anchored  just  below  the  Narrows.  She 

March  19.°  '  J 

had  been  nearly  wrecked  on  the  Bermuda  rocks,  and  detained  for 
repairs.  The  counselors  hastened  in  a  small  boat  to  welcome  the  long- 
expected  and  much-desired  commander-in-chief.  As  soon  as  he  learned 
the  state  of  affairs,  he  came  at  once  to  the  city  in  the  ship's  pinnace. 
It  was  evening,  but  he  proceeded  to  the  City  Hall,  the  bell  was  rung,  and 
his  commission  read  before  a  large  assemblage.  The  shouts  of  joy  and 
the  noisy  uproar  made  Leisler  tremble.  Sloughter  took  the  oath  of  office, 
as  did  also  the  counselors  who  were  present.  Notwithstanding  the  late- 
ness of  the  hour  (it  was  eleven  o'clock),  Ingoldsby  was  sent  with  his 
troops  to  demand  entrance  to  the  fort.  Leisler  refused,  but  sent  Stoll  to 
Sloughter  for  "orders  under  the  king's  own  hand  directed  to  himself." 
Stoll  with  coarse  effrontery  expressed  his  gratification  that  "Governor 


March  18. 


ARRIVAL  OF  GOVERNOR  SLOUGHTER.  387 

m 

Sloughter  was  the  same  man  whom  he  had  seen  in  England,"  and  received 
the  quick  and  tart  reply :  "  Yes,  I  have  been  seen  in  England,  and  intend 
now  to  be  seen  in  New  York."  No  further  notice  was  taken  of  Stoll. 
Ingoldsby  was  sent  back  to  the  fort  to  order  Leisler,  and  such  as  were 
called  his  council,  to  report  themselves  at  the  City  Hall,  and  to  release 
Bayard  and  Nicolls  immediately  from  their  confinement.  Presently  In- 
goldsby returned,  accompanied  by  Milborne  and  Mayor  De  Lanoy.  Leis- 
ler said  the  fort  could  not  be  surrendered  in  the  night-time  according  to 
military  rules,  and  had  sent  the  two  last-named  gentlemen  to  explain. 
They  were  not  allowed  to  speak  at  all,  but  were  committed  to  the  guards. 
Ingoldsby  was  sent  to  the  fort  the  third  time  with  the  same  order,  and 
was  the  third  time  "  contemptuously  "  refused.  It  was  now  past  mid- 
night, and  the  governor  directed  the  council  to  meet  him  early  the  next 
morning.    And  thus  ended  that  eventful  day. 

The  gentlemen  assembled  promptly  on  Friday  morning  at  the  City 
Hall.  Leisler  had  prepared  an  apologetic  letter,  tendering  the 
fort  and  government  in  the  best  English  he  could  use,  promising 
to  give  "  an  exact  account  of  all  his  actions  and  conduct."  His  egotism  on 
points  which  he  did  not  clearly  understand,  not  disloyalty,  was  what  gave 
him  the  appearance  of  trying  to  capitulate.  But  Sloughter's  plans  were 
all  matured  before  the  document  was  received,  and  it  was  laid  on  the 
table  unnoticed.  He  sent  Ingoldsby  to  require  the  men  in  the  fort  to 
ground  their  arms  and  march  out,  promising  pardon  to  all  save  Leisler 
and  his  council.  The  latter,  having  "  been  found  in  actual  rebellion," 
were  conducted  to  the  City  Hall,  and  committed  to  the  guards.  The 
great  prison  door  was  opened,  and  Bayard  and  Nicolls  freed  from  their 
long  confinement.  They  were  brought  to  the  City  Hall,  looking  aged  and 
emaciated ;  they  were  hardly  able  to  stand  upon  their  feet.  They  took 
the  oaths  of  office  amid  warm  congratulations ;  and  a  little  later  Leisler 
was  conveyed  to  the  same  dungeon  which  they  had  occupied,  and  the 
chain  which  Bayard  had  worn  was  put  upon  his  leg. 

Sloughter  at  once  took  possession  of  the  fort,  which  he  named  William 
Henry.  He  issued  writs  the  same  day  for  the  election  of  representatives 
to  an  Assembly  to  meet  on  the  9th  of  April.  He  commissioned  John 
Lawrence  mayor  of  the  city,1  William  Pinhorne  recorder,  and  Thomas 

1  John  Lawrence  was  seventy-two  years  of  age,  and  few  men  of  his  time  were  held  in  higher 
esteem  ;  his  letters  evince  remarkable  energy  and  decision  of  character,  and  are  evidently 
the  production  of  a  man  of  superior  intellect  and  liberal  education.  His  nephew,  William 
Lawrence,  was  one  of  Leisler's  council,  a  man  already  past  middle  life.  Although  so  widely 
separated  in  their  political  views  there  was  great  confidence  and  affection  existing  between 
the  uncle  and  nephew,  and  it  was  a  painful  position  indeed  when  the  one  was  appointed  to 
the  commission  for  trying  the  political  offenders,  and  the  other  was  one  of  those  offenders. 


388 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Clarke  coroner.    Thomas  Newton  was  made  attorney -general  of  the 

province. 

The  following  Sunday  was  the  first  time  in  months  that  the  church- 
going  community  had  breathed  freely.    The  clergymen  thanked 

Miircli  22 

God  fervently  for  present  blessings.  Dominie  Selyns  preached 
from  the  twenty-seventh  Psalm,  his  text  being,  "  I  had  fainted  unless 
I  had  believed  to  see  the  goodness  of  God  in  the  land  of  the  living." 
His  sermon,  penned  through  the  fulness  of  joy  at  the  turn  events  had 
taken,  may  have  been  a  libel  upon  the  Christian  theory  of  mercy  to  a 
fallen  foe,  but  it  was  the  outpouring  of  a  heart  which  had  been  sorely 
tried,  and  the  reasonings  of  a  spirit  which  had  calmly  reviewed  the 
situation.  It  had  its  effect  upon  public  opinion,  and  stimulated  the 
demand  which  was  everywhere  rending  the  air  for  the  punishment  of 
the  author  of  the  wrongs  which  had  been  visited  upon  the  community. 
Not  a  ray  of  pity  for  the  mistakes  of  the  humiliated  Leisler  seemed 
to  penetrate  the  cell  where  he  sat  in  a  state  of  the  most  abject  despond- 
ency. 

On  Monday  a  committee  was  appointed  to  examine  the  prisoners.  It 
consisted  of  Chief  Justice  Dudley,  Van  Cortlandt,  and  Brooke. 

March  23.  J  . 

They  were  committed  for  trial.  Owing  to  certain  recent  transac- 
tions, Sloughter  declined  hearing  the  case,  and  ordered  a  special  court  of 
oyer  and  terminer.  Dudley  and  Thomas  Johnson  were  appointed 
judges  in  admiralty,  together  with  Sir  Robert  Robinson,  the  former 
governor  of  Bermuda,  Colonel  William  Smith,  Mayor  John  Lawrence, 
Recorder  Pinhorne,  Captain  Jasper  Hicks  of  the  frigate  Archangel,  Lieu- 
tenant-Governor Ingoldsby,  John  Younge,  and  Isaac.  Arnold.  It  was 
said  that  they  were  gentlemen  most  capable  of  discerning  the  truth,  and 
the  least  prejudiced  against  the  prisoners.  Bayard,  Van  Cortlandt,  and 
Pinhorne  were  directed  to  prepare  the  evidence.  William  Nicolls, 
George  Pare  well,  and  James  Emott  were  assigned  as  king's  counsel,  to 
assist  Attorney-General  Newton,  who  was  then  reputed  the  best  lawyer 
in  America. 

The  trial  began  March  30.  The  indictment  found  by  the 
March  M'  grand  jury  charged  the  prisoners  with  treason  and  murder,  "  for 
holding  by  force  the  king's  fort  against  the  king's  governor  after  the  pub- 
lication of  his  commission,  and  after  demand  had  been  made  in  the  kings 
name,  and  in  the  reducing  of  which  lives  had  been  lost."  Eight  of  the 
prisoners  pleaded  " Not  Guilty."  Leisler  and  Milborne  refused  to  plead 
until  the  court  should  decide  whether  the  king's  letter  to  Nicholson  had 
or  had  not  given  Leisler  authority  to  take  upon  himself  the  government. 
The  court  referred  the  question  to  Sloughter  and  his  council,  who  declared 


THE  TRIAL  OF  LEISLER  AND  HIS  COUNCIL.  389 


that  nothing  whatever  in  the  king's  letter,  or  in  any  of  the  papers  of  the 
Privy  Council  which  Sloughter  had  seen,  could  be  understood  or  inter- 
preted to  contain  any  power  and  direction  for  Captain  Jacob  Leisler  to 
assume  control  of  the  government  of  the  province,  and  that  such  control 
could  not  be  holden  good  in  law. 

The  court  announced  this  decision,  but  Leisler  and  Milborne  still  re- 
fused to  plead,  and  appealed  to  the  king.  They  were  accordingly  tried 
as  mutes.  After  eight  days  the  jury  pronounced  them  guilty,  together 
with  Abraham  Gouverneur,  Dr.  Gerardus  Beekman,  Johannes  Vermilye, 
Thomas  Williams,  Myndert  Coerten,  and  Abraham  Brasher.  De  Lanoy 
and  Edsall  were  acquitted.  Chief  Justice  Dudley  then  proceeded  to  pro- 
nounce the  sentence  of  death  upon  the  eight  condemned  criminals,  accord- 
ing to  the  barbarous  English  law  then  in  full  force. 

The  prisoners  at  once  petitioned  the  governor  for  a  reprieve  until  the 
king's  pleasure  shoidd  be  known ;  and  their  petition  was  granted. 

April  20 

Sloughter  wrote  to  William  :  "  Never  greater  villains  lived,  but  I 
am  resolved  to  wait  your  pleasure  if  by  any  other  means  than  hanging  I 
can  keep  the  country  quiet."  He  also  wrote  :  "  I  find  these  men  against 
whom  the  depositions  were  sent,  to  be  the  principal  and  most  loyal  men 
of  this  place,  whom  Leisler  and  Milborne  did  fear  and  therefore  grievously 
oppress.  Many  that  followed  Leisler  were  through  ignorance  put  up  to 
do  what  they  did,  and  I  believe  if  the  chief  ringleaders  are  made  an 
example  the  whole  country  will  be  quieted,  which  otherwise  will  be  hard 
to  do."  In  a  letter  to  the  Plantation  Committee,  Sloughter  wrote :  "  The 
loyal  and  best  part  of  the  country  is  very  earnest  for  the  execution  of  the 
prisoners.  But  if  his  Majesty  will  please  grant  his  pardon  for  all  except 
Jacob  Leisler  and  Jacob  Milborne,  it  will  be  a  favor." 

Sloughter  investigated  the  various  accusations  as  he  was  directed  by 
the  king.  Those  against  Leisler,  contained  in  the  address  of  the  people, 
he  found  "severally  true."  Those-  against  Bayard  and  Nicolls,  forwarded 
by  Leisler,  he  pronounced  of  small  consequence.  Those  gentlemen  could 
prove  that  they  had  always  been  good  Protestants,  and  only  desired  to  con- 
tinue the  government  in  peace  until  orders  should  arrive  from  England. 

The  Assembly  convened  on  the  day  appointed  in  a  small  coffee-house 
on  Pearl  Street.  It  was  a  proud  era  for  New  York,  for  it  was  the 
first  popular  representation  under  the  direct  authority  of  the AprU9' 
crown.  James  Graham  was  appointed  speaker.  He  was  a  lawyer  who 
had  already  attained  distinction  at  the  liar,  and  a  man  of  great  dignity, 
of  fine  presence,  and  a  master  of  rhetoric.  He  was  the  second  son  of  the 
Earl  of  Montrose,  of  Scotch  notoriety,  and  in  all  his  tastes  and  habits  and 
methods  of  thought  was  a  fair  type  of  the  ancient  nobility  of  Great 


390 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Britain.  The  governor  and  Chief  Justice  Dudley  each  appeared,  and 
made  a  speech.  The  latter  was  noted  for  legal  acumen  and  sound  prin- 
ciples. He  had  the  appearance  of  a  man  whose  body  was  at  the  mercy 
of  a  restless  mind ;  he  was  tall,  thin,  pale,  and  wore  the  worn  look  which 
comes  with  constant  study.  He  was  afterwards  a  member  of  the  British 
Parliament,  lieutenant-governor  of  the  Isle  of  Wight,  and  governor  of 
Massachusetts  (from  1702  to  1720).  The  members  of  the  Assembly  were 
not  experts  in  legislation,  but  with  Newton  and  Graham  to  draft  their  bills 
they  accomplished  no  little  business.  They  passed  fourteen  laws ;  one 
of  the  first  was  for  settling  the  late  disorders,  and  to  provide  against 
similar  disturbances  in  the  future.  The  old  Court  of  Assizes  was  abol- 
ished, and  a  new  Supreme  Court,  consisting  of  five  judges,  instituted  in  its 
stead.  Dudley  was  to  be  chief  justice,  and  Johnson,  Smith,  Van  Cortlandt, 
and  Pinhorne  associate  judges.  A  revenue  for  defraying  the  public  ex- 
penses of  the  province  was  granted.  But  the  law  was  limited  to  two 
years,  which  annoyed  the  succeeding  governors,  who  wished  revenue  to 
be  granted  for  longer  periods.  The  Assembly  was  a  thoroughly  royalist 
body,  and  yet  in  language  clear  and  forcible  they  asserted  the  right  to  a 
representative  government,  not  as  a  consequence  of  royal  favor,  but  as  an 
English  liberty  inherent  in  the  people. 

A  resolution  was  passed,  unanimously,  by  the  House,  condemning 
Leisler's  acts  as  illegal,  arbitrary,  mischievous,  destructive,  and  rebellious, 
and  charging  the  tragedy  at  Schenectady  entirely  to  his  account.  This 
resolution  was  copied  in  full,  signed  by  James  Graham,  Speaker,  and  sent 
to  the  governor,  "  that  his  Excellency  might  know  that  his  acts  had  been 
approved." 

Meanwhile  petitions  were  coming  in  upon  Sloughter  and  his  council 
from  every  quarter.  Dr.  Gerardus  Beekman  prayed  for  pardon  on  the 
ground  that  he  was  only  at  the  fort  to  persuade  Leisler  against  inhu- 
manly firing  on  the  king's  soldiers,  and  that  he  had  very  sick  patients 
who  needed  his  immediate  attention.  His  wife,  Magdalena  Heekinan, 
entreated  in  a  most  touching  strain  that  better  accommodations  be  given 
him  in  the  prison  until  the  king's  pleasure  should  be  known.  She  said 
that  her  husband  had  acted  on  the  Committee  of  Safety  only  at  the  ur- 
gent request  of  the  people  of  Long  Island,  and  that  he  had  had  "  true 
meaning  and  good  intent";  but  that  he  now  "saw  plainly  that  he  had 
been  misled  for  the  want  of  a  right  understanding."  William  Beekman 
interceded  for  his  son  ;  and  issued  a  government  bond  of  £100  to 
Sloughter,  as  security  lor  the  use  of  certain  property  belonging  to  Dr. 
Gerardus  before  he  was  convicted  of  treason,  and  which  in  case  of  his 
non-pardon  was  forfeited  to  the  crown. 


SIGNING  OF  THE  DEATH  WARRANT. 


391 


Petitions  from  the  families  and  friends  of  the  other  condemned  pris- 
oners were  received  in  great  numbers.  One  for  the  pardon  of  Leisler 
was  largely  signed  in  Westchester  and  on  Staten  Island.  But  counter- 
petitions  were  equally  numerous,  from  those  who  had  been  wronged  and 
distressed,  all  praying  that  the  ringleaders  in  the  late  administration 
should  be  immediately  executed.  Many  of  the  prominent  and  loyal 
men  declared  that  there  was  no  security  for  life  or  fortune  while  such 
"  tyrants  "  were  allowed  to  exist,  for  they  might  head  an  ignorant  mob  on 
any  occasion ;  they  announced  their  intention  of  removing  from  the 
province  unless  Leisler  and  Milborne,  at  least,  were  made  to  suffer  the 
extreme  penalty  of  the  law.  Word  came  from  Albany  about  the  same 
time  thai;  the  Mohawks,  disgusted  with  Leisler's  mismanagement,  were  in 
actual  treaty  with  the  French.  It  was  imperative  that  the  new  governor 
should  quickly  conciliate  the  savages,  else  the  province  would  be  lost. 

Any  estimate  which  can  now  be  framed  of  the  extent  of  the  pressure 
which  was  brought  to  bear  upon  Sloughter  must  necessarily  be  very  in- 
exact. He  Avas  a  weak,  avaricious,  immoral  man  at  the  best ;  he  was 
also  notoriously  intemperate.  But  whether  drunk  or  sober  the  facts  of 
the  case  remain  the  same.  He  was  under  the  direct  influence  of  men 
who  had  suffered  until  human  hate  had  well  nigh  exhausted  every  other 
fountain  of  feeling.  He  was  a  guest  in  the  house  of  Colonel  Bayard. 
Smith  says,  that  "  Sloughter  was  invited  to  a  wedding-feast  and  when 
overcome  with  wine  was  prevailed  upon  to  sign  the  death-warrant, 
and  before  he  recovered  his  senses  the  prisoners  were  executed."  This 
statement,  even  if  true  in  part,  cannot  be  true  as  a  whole,  for  the  death- 
warrant  was  signed  on  Thursday  and  the  execution  took  place  on  Satur- 
day.1 It  has  been  said  that  the  three  Dutch  ministers  constantly  argued 
for  the  administration  of  justice  in  the  pulpit.  It  has  been  said  that 
ladies  who  had  tears  for  highwaymen  and  housebreakers  breathed  noth- 
ing but  vengeance,  and  earnestly  pleaded  with  Sloughter  to  have  com- 
passion upon  them,  and  upon  the  country,  by  removing  forever  the  guilty 
creatures.  It  has  been  said  that  large  sums  of  money  were  offered  the 
needy  governor  to  induce  him  to  put  his  name  to  the  fatal  paper ;  and 
that  his  own  wife,  from  sheer  covetousness,  added  her  voice  of  entreaty 
to  the  same  effect. 

Caution  must  be  exercised  in  accepting  such  accounts  as  history, 
penned  as  they  were  by  violent  partisans,  and  tinctured  with  the  narrow- 

1  Letter  from  Members  of  tlie  Dutch  Church  in  New  York  to  tlie  Classis  of  Amsterdam, 
October  21,  1698.  K  Y.  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.  (1868),  pp.  398  -  412.  Address  of  the  New  York 
Legislative  Assembly  to  Lord  Bclla.mont,  May  15,  1699.  Governor  Sloughter  to  Colonel  Cod- 
rington.    Governor  Sloughter  to  Mr.  Blathivayt.    Governor  SlouglUer  to  Lord  Inchiquin. 


392 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


minded  prejudice  of  that  peculiar  age.  It  appears  that  Slo lighter  hesi- 
tated  through  an  imperfect  apprehension  that  he  should  exceed  his  legal 
power  hy  pronouncing  death  upon  prisoners  who  had  appealed  to  the 
king.  He  was  finally  led  into  the  belief  that  this  act  would  enable  him 
to  manage  the  Indians,  for  he  had  decided  to  go  to  Albany  and  meet  the 
Mohawk  sachems.  At  the  meeting  with  his  council  May  14,  the  follow- 
ing was  entered  upon  their  records  :  — 

"  Present,  His  Excellency  the  Governor,  Frederick  Philipse,  Nicholas  Bayard, 
Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  William  Nicolls,  and  Gabriel  Minvielle. 

"  Upon  the  clamor  of  the  people  daily  coming  to  his  Excellency  relating  to 
the  execution  of  the  prisoners  condemned  of  treason,  and  having  received  the 
opinion  of  the  greater  part  of  the  Representatives  of  the  Assembly  now  convened, 
he  was  pleased  to  offer  to  the  council  his  willingness  to  do  what  might  be  most 
proper  for  the  quiet  and  peace  of  the  country  before  he  should  go  to  Albany. 
And  he  demanded  of  the  council  their  opinion  whether  the  delay  of  the  execu- 
tion of  justice  might  not  prove  dangerous  at  this  conjuncture.  Whereupon  it 
was  unanimously  resolved,  that  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  Indians,  and  the  asser- 
tion of  the  government  and  authority,  and  the  prevention  of  insurrections  and 
disorders  for  the  future,  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  the  sentence  pronounced 
against  the  principal  offenders  be  forthwith  put  in  execution." 

The  next  paragraph  explains  itself :  — 

Council-Room,  May  16,  1691. 
His  Excellency  having,  sent  the  minute  of  council  of  the  14th  of  May,  re- 
ferring to  the  execution  of  the  principal  criminals  condemned  of  treason,  to  the 
House  of  Representatives  to  acquaint  them  of  the  resolve  of  this  board,  the  same 
was  returned  underwritten  in  manner  following  :  — 

House  of  Representatives  for  the  Province  of  New  York, 
Die  Veneris,  May  15,  P.  m.,  1691. 
This  House,  according  to  their  opinion  given,  do  approve  of  what  his  Ex- 
cellency and  council  have  done. 

By  order  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 

James  Graham,  Speaker. 

Thus  the  death-warrant  was  signed.  Dominie  Selyns  was  the  messen- 
ger who  was  sent  to  break  the  terrible  intelligence  to  the  unhappy  men. 
They  petitioned  Sloughter  for  a  reprieve,  but  it  was  not  granted.  He  re- 
spited all  the  sentence,  however,  save  the  hanging  and  the  separation  of 
the  heads  from  the  bodies. 

The  scenes  within  the  cells  were  for  the  next  few  hours  heart-rending. 
For  all  they  had  done,  for  all  they  had  attempted  to  do,  for  their  loyalty 
to  the  king,  for  their  Christian  zeal,  only  an  ignominious  death.  Self- 
opinionated  no  longer,  broken  in  spirit,  overcome  by  the  grief  of  his  fam- 


EXECUTION  OF  LEISLER  AND  MILBORNE. 


393 


ily  and  by  unavailing  regrets,  Leisler  humbled  himself  before  his  God  and 
prepared  for  the  end.  As  for  Milborne,  he  never  ceased  his  efforts  to 
excite  pity  and  clemency.  Despair  preyed  upon  his  mind  until  he  was 
almost  a  maniac. 

Saturday  dawned  with  a  dark,  northeast,  melancholy  rain-storm  brood- 
ing over  the  city.  The  gallows  was  erected  near  the  site  of  the  old  Tam- 
many Hall.  A  ferocious  rabble  assembled  to  witness  the  execution ;  they 
said  a  grave  under  the  gallows  was  too  respectable  a  resting-place  for  the 
"  black  dogs  " ;  they  said  they  should  have  been  tortured  like  Indians ; 
and  they  hoped  they  might  go  to  the  place  of  wailing  and  gnashing  of 
teeth.  A  strong  guard  of  soldiers  was  esteemed  necessary  to  prevent  the 
prisoners  from  being  torn  in  pieces  when  they  should  be  led  forth. 

Dominie  Selyns  walked  beside  the  doomed  men  and  offered  the  last 
consolations  of  religion.  Leisler  made  a  short  speech  upon  the  scaffold. 
He  said  he  knew  that  he  had  grievously  erred  in  many  ways,  and  asked 
pardon  of  God  and  of  all  those  whom  he  had  offended.  He  declared  his 
loyalty  to  the  king  and  queen,  and  prayed  that  all  malice  might  be  buried 
in  his  grave.  He  said  he  forgave  the  most  implacable  of  his  enemies,  and 
begged  his  friends  and  relations  to  forget  and  forgive  any  injury  done  to 
him.  He  prayed  for  all  in  authority,  and  for  his  distressed  and  afflicted 
family,  and  requested  charity  and  prayers  for  himself.  Milborne  spoke 
for  a  few  moments  in  a  pathetic  strain,  but,  seeing  Livingston  in  the 
crowd,  he  exclaimed,  "  You  have  caused  my  death.  Before  God's  tribunal 
I  will  impeach  you  for  the  same."  The  sheriff  asked  Leisler  if  he  was 
ready  to  die.  He  replied  that  he  was,  and  that  he  did  not  fear  death, 
for  what  he  had  done  had  been  for  the  king  and  queen,  the  Protestant 
religion,  and  the  good  of  the  country.  He  then  exclaimed,  "I  am 
ready ! " 

The  drop  fell.  A  wail  of  anguish  rent  the  air,  which  for  the  moment 
drowned  the  gross  ribaldry  of  those  who  regarded  the  scene  with  bar- 
barous exultation.  Women  fainted,  and  sorrow-stricken  mourners  min- 
gled their  tears  with  the  falling  rain.  It  was  a  solemn  and  an  ominous 
occasion,  and  it  left  its  abiding  mark  upon  New  York  history.  Its  effects 
are  still  with  us.  Better  men  have  paid  as  dearly  for  their  mistakes  in 
all  ages  of  the  world,  but  Jacob  Leisler  and  Jacob  Milborne  were  the  only 
two  who  were  ever  executed  in  New  York  for  a  political  crime. 

The  event  was  variously  judged.  Candid  jurists  pronounced  the  whole 
proceeding  perfectly  lawful.  "  But,"  said  others,  "  there  were  extenuating 
circumstances  which  were  not  allowed  to  appear  at  the  trial."  Concern- 
ing no  public  actor  in  colonial  history  has  opinion  more  widely  differed 
than  in  regard  to  Jacob  Leisler.    He  has  been  held  up  as  a  champion  of 


394 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Dutch  democracy  against  English  aristocracy,  of  Protestantism  against 
Romanism,  of  republicanism  against  monarchism.  It  is  evident,  how- 
ever, from  a  careful  analysis  of  ,his  official  career,  that  there  was  no 
struggle  in  New  York  to  call  for  championship  in  any  of  these  direc- 
tions. And  his  acts  clearly  negative  all  claim  to  democratic  theories. 
He  seized  authority  with  honest  intentions  and  with  unquestionable  be- 
lief in  the  plots  his  fancy  created.  He  afterwards  became  infatuated  with 
the  novelty  of  the  position,  and  his  strong  passions  and  feeble  judgment 
led  him  into  more  unpardonable  excesses  than  were  ever  committed  by 
any  of  the  governors  placed  over  the  colony  by  the  Crown  of  England. 
And  yet  he  was  not  a  bad  man,  and  his  execution  was  a  shocking  blunder. 
He  became  a  martyr  in  memory,  not  a  convict,  and  his  death  was  the 
stock  of  a  party  which  for  years,  by  its  triumphs  and  its  defeats,  retarded 
seriously  the  prosperity  of  New  York. 

The  outcry  was  at  once  raised  that  he  had  been  murdered.  "  Barbar- 
ously murdered,"  wrote  Dr.  Mather  to  Chief  Justice  Dudley.  "  Revenge- 
fully sacrificed,"  wrote  Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer  to  the  Lords  of  Trade. 
The  various  accounts  of  the  transaction  produced  a  profound  sensation  in 
England.  The  touching  appeals  to  the  king  from  Mrs.  Leisler  and  her 
children,  and  from  the  young  widow  of  Milborne,  that  the  estates  of  the 
deceased  might  be  restored  to  their  families,  were  carefully  weighed. 
William  declared  in  favor  of  the  fairness  of  the  trial,  and  the  justness  of 
the  sentence,  since  they  were  not  indicted  for  the  part  they  had  taken 
in  the  revolution,  or  in  the  subsequent  violences,  but  simply  for  holding  a 
fortress  by  arms  against  the  legal  governor,  which  in  the  judgment  of  law- 
was  levying  war  against  the  king.  But  he  ordered  their  estates  to  be  re- 
turned to  their  heirs,  because  the  services  of  the  lathers  required  some 
compensation. 

This  imperfect  redress  did  not  satisfy.  The  children  and  friends  of 
Leisler  persisted  year  after  year  until  an  act  of  Parliament  reversed  the 
attainder,  which  occurred  in  1695.1  It  was  almost  entirely  accomplished 
through  the  able  Massachusetts  agents ;  but  it  is  said  when  the  hand- 
some, energetic  young  Jacob  Leisler,  Jr.,  appeared  in  England,  and  was 
•favored  in  his  suit  by  Lord  Bellomont,  that  Robert  Livingston,  who  was 
there  at  the  time,  and  who  was  an  intimate  personal  friend  of  the  Earl, 
had  several  interviews  with  him  and  interested  himself  in  recommending 
the  subject,  as  well  as  young  Leisler  himself,  to  the  notice  of  the  Lords. 

1  Jacob  Milborne,  a  son  of  the  deceased  by  his  fust  wife,  was  one  of  the  petitioners  named. 
It  is  recorded  that  Joanna  Edsall,  wife  of  Jacob  Milborne,  joined  the  Garden  Street  Dutch 
Church,  November  29,  1688.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Samuel  Edsall,  and  died,  as  is  be- 
lieved, during  her  husband's  absence  in  Europe. 


ROBERT  LIVINGSTON.  395 

New  York  was  now  in  a  most  critical  condition,  not  only  from  internal 
faction  but  from  foreign  warfare.  The  French  king  was  fully  bent  upon 
the  conquest  of  a  province  which  through  the  Five  Nations  had  caused  so 


Portrait  of  Robert  Livingston. 
(From  copy  (of  Gen.  J.  Watts  de  Peyster)  of  original  painting  in  possession  of  Clermont  Livingston.; 

much  bloodshed  and  desolation  among  his  Canadian  subjects.  All  the 
art  of  the  French  character  was  brought  into  requisition  to  win  the  sav- 
ages to  their  standard.  Sloughter  arrived  in  Albany  May  26. 
The  Mohawks  were  there  before  him,  and  the  meeting  took  place  May26' 
the  next  day.  The  negotiations  were  managed  by  Mayor  Schuyler  and 
Robert  Livingston,  and  were  exceedingly  interesting.  Sloughter  had 
brought  presents  from  England,  which  were  given  to  the  Indians 
with  much  ceremony.1    One  of  the  Mohawk  chiefs  said  that  the  late 

1  These  presents  were  1  doz.  stockings,  6  shirts,  3  bags  powder,  16  bars  of  lead,  30  gul 
strung  wampum,  3  runlets  rum,  3  rolls  tobacco,  and  privately  to  the  chiefs  some  coats  of 
duffels.  Governor  Slaughter's  Answer  to  the  Proposition  of  the  Mohawk  Sachems,  Albany,  Mini 
26,  1691.    New  York  Col.  Doc,  Vol.  III.  771-781.    Chalmers's  Political  Annals. 


396 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


June  27. 


disorders  in  the-  province  had  wellnigh  confounded  all  their  affairs, 
and  that  several  of  their  white  brethren  had  deserted  Albany  in  the 
hour  of  danger,  which  must  not  happen  again.  Finally,  in  order  to  re- 
establish the  confidence  of  the  savages  on  a  firm  basis,  it  was  decided  that 
Mayor  Schuyler  should  lead  them  on  an  aggressive  campaign  into  Canada, 
and  preparations  were  immediately  made.  Schuyler  left  Albany  on  the 
21st  of  June  with  four  hundred  men,  five  sixths  of  whom  were 
u  '  Indians,  and  plunged  into  the  dense  forests  to  the  north.  He 
crossed  Lake  Champlain,  and  pushed  directly  into  the  enemy's  country. 
With  rapid  strides  he  soon  reached  La  Prairie,  and  surprised  the  governor 
of  Montreal,  who  was  encamped  with  a  large  force.  Owing  to  the  prowess 
of  the  Mohawks,  Schuyler  obliged  his  gallant  opponents  to  retire  ink 
their  fort,  which  he  assaulted,  though  with  a  success  hardly  equal  to  his 
vigorous  efforts.  Apprehending  danger  of  being  cut  off  in  his  retreat,  he 
prudently  retired  and  conducted  his  warriors  in  triumph  to  Albany.  His 
exploit  stimulated  the  Iroquois,  who  continued  their  attacks  upon  the 
French  unaided,  and  nobly  protected  New  York  while  her  exhausted  re- 
sources enabled  her  to  maintain  only  feeble  frontier  garrisons. 

Sloughter  remained  in  Albany  until  Schuyler's  departure  and 
then  returned  to  New  York.    He  found  a  multitude  of  duties 
awaiting  him,  and  entered  upon  their  performance  at  once.    But  his 
career  was  soon  checked.    He  was  taken  suddenly  ill  on  the  21st 
of  July,  and  died  on  the  morning  of  the  23d.    His  symptoms  were 
July  2i.  ^         a  nature  that  the  physician  suspected  he  had  been  poi- 
soned.   A  negro  servant  who  had  been  seen  to  put  something  in  his  coffee 
at  the  table  just  before  his  attack  was  accused  and  examined,  and  in  great 
terror  called  upon  Heaven  to  witness  that  it  was  only  sugar.    A  post- 
mortem investigation  resulted  in  the  opinion  that  he  had  died  from  natural 
causes,  and  the  grateful  negro  was  exonerated  from  suspicion.    His  body 
was  placed  in  the  Stuyvesant  vault  by  permission  of  the  family,  next  to 
that  of  the  honored  Dutch  governor. 

Chief  Justice  Dudley,  to  whom  as  president  of  the  council  the  gov- 
ernment would  have  fallen  in  this  emergency,  was  in  Curacoa.  In 
consequence,  the  council  met  two  days  after  the  governor's  death,  and 
unanimously  declared  Ingoldsby  commander-in-chief,  until  the  king's 
pleasure  should  be  known. 

It  was  not  long  before  information  readied  New  York  that  the  French 
had  been  reinforced  and  were  planning  to  attack  Albany.  Schuyler  had 
not  returned.  It  was  next  to  impossible  to  raise  more  men  and  money. 
Therefore  Ingoldsby  and  the  council  applied  to  New  England  for  aid, 
which  was  "flatly  denied."    In  this  extremity  they  wrote  to  the  Lords 


ETIENNE  DE  LANCEY. 


397 


of  Trade,  begging  earnestly  for  warlike  stores.  In  explaining  the  condi- 
tion of  New  York,  they  said  "  it  had  never  ceased  to  groan  under  its  in- 
supportable pressures  since  its  miserable  union  with  Boston."  They  even 
charged  all  the  recent  calamities  upon  Boston.  "  New  York  had  always 
been  signal  for  her  good  affection  to  monarchy  until  poisoned  with  the 
seditions  and  anti-monarchial  principles  of  Boston." 

Ingoldsby  hurried  to  Albany  and  conferred  with  some  of  the  Mohawk 
sachems.  He  gave  them  presents, -and  they,  more  friendly  than  the  New 
England  people,  continued  their  defensive  warfare. 

The  Assembly  met  in  September  and  made  what  appropriations  seemed 
practicable.  Schuyler  had  by  that  time  returned,  and  the  prospect  was 
brighter.  The  city  elections  were  comparatively  quiet.  The  aldermen 
chosen  were,  William  Beekman  and  Alexander  Wilson  for  the  East 
Ward,  William  Merritt  and  Thomas  Clarke  for  the  Dock  Ward,  John 
Merritt  and  Garret  Dow  for  the  Out  Ward,  Johannes  Kip  and  Tennis 
De  Kay  for  the  North  Ward,  Bobert  Darkins  and  Peter  King  for  the 
West  Ward,  and  Brandt  Schuyler  and  Stephen  De  Lancey  for  the  South 
Ward. 

Brandt  Schuyler,  although  he  took  a  less  active  part  in  public  life  than 
his  brother  Peter,  was  universally  respected.  In  personal  appearance  he 
bore  a  striking  resemblance  to  his  sister  Gertrude,  Mrs.  Van  Cortlandt. 
His  wife  was  Cornelia,  the  sister  of  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  hence  the 
two  families  were  doubly  related,  and  lived  on  terms  of  great  social 
intimacy. 

Stephen,  or,  as  he  was  more  commonly  known,  Etienne  De  Lancey,  was 
the  son  of  a  French  nobleman  of  Caen  in  Normandy.  He  was  the  ances- 
tor of  all  of  that  honorable  name  in  this  country.  He  brought  with  him 
many  evidences  of  wealth  and  culture.  He  prosecuted  a  foreign  trade, 
chiefly  to  Africa,  and  acquired  a  large  fortune.  His  place  of  business 
was  on  Pearl  Street ;  nine  years  later  he  married  Ann,  the  daughter  of 
Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt. 


398 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


1691-1701. 


ABRAHAM  DE  PEYSTER. 


Abraham  De  Peyster. —  Effects  of  the  Revolution.  —The  two  Hostile  Factions. 
—  The  Garden  Street  Church. — Origin  of  Water  Street. — Public  Paupers. — 
City  Legislation. — Condition  of  the  Province. — The  Corporation  Dinner.  — 
Governor  Fletcher. — Fletcher  studying  the  Indians. — The  Gift  of  a  Gold 
Cup.  —  Fletcher's  Difficulties.  —  Boston  meddling.  —  Caleb  Heathcote. — A 
Curious  Romance. — The  Assembly  stiff-necked. — Fletcher  in  Temper. — The 
first  Printing  in  New  York.  —  Sir  William  Phipps.  —  Official  Stealing.  — 
Livingston  in  England.  — Young  Leisler  at  William's  Court. — Wrangling  in 
the  Assembly.  —  Accusations  and  Counter-Accusations.  —  Fletcher's  Speech.  — 
Shocking  BRUTALITIES.  —  Fletcher's  Character  on  Trial,  — Livingston  criticised 
by  Fletcher.  — De  Peyster's  New  House.  —  De  Peyster's  Descendants. — Mil- 
ler's Description  of  New  York. — Dominie  Selyns's  Piracy.  —  Mrs.  Fletcher 
and  her  Daughters.  —  Captain  Kidd.  —  The  Expedition  against  Piracy.  —  Kidd 
the  Prince  of  Pirates. — The  Repeal  of  Bolting  and  Baking  Acts. — First 
Opening  of  Nassau  Steeet.  — The  first  Lighting  of  the  City.  — The  first  Nigiit- 
Watcii. — The  Earl  of  Bellomont.  —  Bellomont's  Reforms. — Bellomont's  Col- 
lision with  the  Merchants. — The  Acts  of  Trade.  —  The  Peace  of  Ryswick. — 
The  Landed  Estates  attacked. — James  Graham. — Dominie  Dellius.  —  Bello- 
mont's Mortifications.  —  The  Dutch  Church.  —  Bellomont  in  Boston.  —  The 
Board  of  Trade.  —  Deaths  of  Graham,  Van  Cortlandt,  and  Bellomont. 


lilt  All  AM  DE  PEYSTER  was  appointed  mayor  of  the  city. 


A  Although  lie  had  attached  himself  to  Leisler  in  the  early  pari  of 
the  Revolution,  he  had  heen  involved  in  none  of  the  later  indiscre- 
1691.  tions,  and  it  was  predicted  that  he  would  he  a  must  effective 
October.  a„eu^  ju  {iie  wav  n)'  restoring  public  tranquillity.  He  was  a 
native  of  the  city,  interested  in  its  growth  and  prosperity,  and  knew  the 
temper  of  its  people.  He  was  also  personally  popular.  He  was  about 
thirty-four  years  of  age,  with  a  frank,  winning  face,  fine  presence,  and 
great  polish  and  elegance  of  manners.  His  character  was  irreproachable, 
and  his  political  judgment  sound.  He  had  married  about  seven  years 
before,  while  on  a  visit  to  Holland,  his  cousin  Catharine  De  Peyster. 
His  father,  Johannes  De  Peyster,  had  some  time  since  died,  but  his 


EFFECTS  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  399 

mother  was  living  in  the  old  homestead.  His  three  brothers,  Isaac,  J o- 
hanues,  and  Cornells,  each  acquired  a  large  estate  for  the  period,  and  each 
filled  from  time  to  time  responsible  positions  in  the  city  government. 
Isaac  was  a  member  of  the  Assembly  for  several  years.    Johannes,  who 


Portrait  of  Col.  Abraham  De  Peyster. 

(From  original  painting  in  possession  of  Hon.  Frederic  de  Peyster,  President  of  New  York 

Historical  Society.) 

was  reputed  the  handsomest  man  of  his  day,  was  mayor  of  the  city  in 
1698-99,  and  was  succeeded  by  David  Provoost,  who  was  the  husband 
of  their  only  sister  Maria.  This  lady's  daughter  by  a  former  husband 
became  the  wife  of  the  celebrated  James  Alexander,  and  mother  of  Lord 
Stirling. 

When  De  Peyster  first  robed  himself  in  the  mayor's  gown  and  entered 
upon  his  judicial  duties,  he  was  harassed  as  few  mayors  have  ever  been 
either  before  or  since  his  time.  The  Revolution  had  disturbed  every  man's 
private  affairs.  Property  bad  been  seized  for  taxes,  neighbors  were  suing 
each  other  for  debts  and  damages,  and  insubordination  against  the  city 
laws  was  of  daily  occurrence.  The  virulence  with  which  men  complained 
of  each  other  indicated  the  wells  of  bitterness  beneath  the  surface  of  soci- 
ety, and  foreshadowed  the  coming  storms  in  the  political  horizon.  A  story 
was  circulated  that  Leisler  had  never  paid  the  soldiers  whom  he  had 
taken  upon  himself  to  raise.    This  De  Peyster  promptly  denied,  as  he  had 


400 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


personal  knowledge  of  its  falsity.  To  say  Leisler  was  dishonest  in  pecu- 
niary matters  was  simply  monstrous,  for  lie  had  expended  large  sums  of 
his  own  money  to  keep  the  government  from  bankruptcy.  De  Peyster  did 
not  hold  Leisler  blameless ;  he  had  eschewed  all  connection  with  the 
man  as  soon  as  he  found  him  unpersuadable  and  infatuated  beyond  rea- 
son and  justice  (according  to  his  private  opinion),  but  he  was  lenient 
towards  him  in  his  heart,  and  thought  he  had  been  harshly  treated 
at  the  last. 

Two  hostile  factions  were  each  trying  to  maintain  untenable  grounds, 
and  each  trying  to  hoodwink  and  overreach  the  other.  The  anti-revolu- 
tionists were  dominant,  and  manifested  a  constant  disposition  to  retaliate 
upon  all  such  as  had  supported  Leisler.  The  Act  of  the  Assembly  prom- 
ising pardon  to  every  one  not  under  actual  sentence  of  death  was  coldly 
received.  The  families  and  friends  of  the  six  condemned  prisoners  were 
making  herculean  efforts  for  their  release,  and  the  sufferers  were  full  of 
concessions  and  promises.  But  both  parties  were  smarting  from  wounds 
for  which  there  was  no  healing  balin,  and  which  were  to  culminate  finally 
in  great  incurable  ulcers. 

De  Peyster  projected  city  improvements  with  a  lavish  hand.  He  do- 
nated a  tract  of  land  at  "  Smits  Vlye  "  to  the  corporation,  and  presently 
an  act  was  published  for  the  sale  of  a  few  of  the  lots,  on  condition  that 
the  buyers  help  build  wharves  that  were  very  much  needed;  one  front- 
ing King  Street,  thirty  feet  wide,  and  one  on  either  side  of  Mrs.  Van 
Clyffe's  slip,  of  about  the  same  dimensions.  The  site  of  the  old  Fly  Mar- 
ket was  a  part  of  this  donation.  A  few  years  later  De  Peyster  presented 
to  the  corporation  the  site  of  the  old  City  Hall  where  Washington  was 
inaugurated. 

In  December  the  subject  of  building  a  new  Dutch  church  was 

Dec  19  ... 

'  again  agitated.  There  were  a  number  of  families  who  objected  to 
worshiping  in  the  one  in  the  fort,  in  any  event,  and,  besides,  that  edifice  was 
getting  old,  and  it  was  much  too  small.  A  lot  in  the  midst  of  a  beautiful 
and  highly  cultivated  garden  belonging  to  Mrs.  Dominie  Drisius  was  deemed 
sufficiently  up-town.  It  fronted  on  a  picturesque  little  lane  called  "Gar- 
den Alley,"  which  in  course  of  time  and  progress  became  Garden  Street, 
and  is  now  Exchange  Place.  The  work  was  pushed  forward  at  once,  and 
the  building  completed  in  1693.  The  style  of  it  was  an  oblong  square, 
with  three  sides  of  an  octagon  on  the  east  side.  It  had  a  brick  steeple  in 
front,  resting  on  a  large?  square  foundation,  which  admitted  room  above 
the  entry  for  an  apartment  in  which  the  consistory  could  hold  their  meet- 
ings. The  windows  were  small  panes  of  glass  set  in  lead,  and  burnt  cu- 
riously into  the  glass  were  the  coats-of-anns  of  the  chief  families  who 


THE  GARDEN  STREET  CHURCH. 


401 


constituted  the  church  and  congregation.  There  were  also  from  time  to 
time,  subsequently,  many  painted  coats-of-arms  hung  upon  the  walls. 
The  pulpit,  bell,  and  several  escutcheons  were  from  the  church  in  the  fort. 
This  bell  was  placed  in  a  church  erected  in  1807  on  the  spot  where  the 


Portrait  of  Mrs.  Col    Abraham  De  Peyster. 
(From  original  painting  in  possession  of  Hon.  Frederic  de  Peyster,  President  of  New  York 

Historical  Society.) 

Garden  Street  Church  stood.  Some  thought  the  bell  too  small,  but  Judge 
Benson,  who  was  one  of  the  elders  at  the  time,  said  the  bell  was  the  first 
ever  brought  to  the  city,  and  that  its  silver  tones  had  been  the  delight  of 
the  native  Indians.  For  its  antiquity,  if  for  no  other  reason,  it  ought  not 
to  be  substituted  for  modern  castings.  It  consequently  remained  in  its 
place,  and  shared  the  fate  of  the  church  in  the  great  fire  of  1835.  A 
silver  baptismal  basin  was  procured  in  1694,  on  which  was  engraved  a 
sentence  written  by  Dominie  Selyns,  indicating-  the  significance  of  the 
baptismal  rites.  The  basin  cost  "  twenty  silver  ducats  "  ;  it  is  a  curious 
relic,  preserved  and  in  use  in  Dr.  Rogers's  church  on  Fifth  Avenue,  corner 
of  Twenty-First  Street,  in  which  the  corporate  title  of  the  first  Dutch 
church  in  New  York  is  handed  along. 

The  corporation  assumed  to  own  the  land  under  water,  and  in  order  to 
till  in  the  shore  along  the  East  River  lots  were  sold  all  the  way 

169'*. 

from  the  City  Hall  to  Fulton  Street;  hence  the  origin  of  Water 
Street.    These  lots  were  chiefly  purchased  by  merchants,  who  paid  an 
average  price  of  twenty  dollars  each ;  one  of  the  terms  of  purchase  re- 

26 


402 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


quired  the  buyer  to  cover  the  entire  front  of  his  lot  with  ,a  building  of 
brick  or  stone  not  less  than  two  stories  high.  It  was  during  this  year 
(1692)  that  Pine,  Cedar,  and  the  neighboring  streets  were  laid  out  through 
the  old  "  Damen  Farm :'  which  was  bounded  north  by  Maiden  Lane.  The 
"  Damen  Farm  "  is  described  among  the  deeds  as  "  Clover  Wayters,"  — 
Clover  Pastures.  Maiden  Lane  was  called  "  Maagde  paetje  "  —  Virgin's 
Path  —  from  the  fact  that  it  was  a  resort  for  washerwomen,  because 
of  a  little  stream  of  spring  water  which  ran  through  the  valley  at  that 
point. 

The  investigation  of  patents  caused  an  endless  amount  of  wrangling. 
An  interesting  question  came  up  as  to  the  ownership  of  the  vacant  space 
in  Hanover  Square.  It  was  found  to  be  covered  by  a  title  of  Govert 
Loockermans,  and  was  claimed  by  his  heirs.  The  claimants  determined 
to  build  there,  and  as  such  a  proceeding  would  shut  off  the  fine  water-view 
from  a  number  of  handsome  dwellings  in  the  neighborhood,  great  efforts 
were  put  forth  to  keep  the  property  out  of  their  hands.  Johannes  Van 
Brugh,  who  lived  on  the  north  side  of  the  square,  was  one  of  the  witnesses 
for  the  city  in  the  suit.  He  remembered  the  spot  to  have  been  in  com- 
mon for  forty-six  years",  and  his  wife,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Dominie  Bo- 
gardus,  remembered  as  far  back  as  1G37. 

It  was  through  the  suggestion  of  Mayor  De  Peyster  that  the  city  first 
assumed  the  support  of  public  paupers.  Each  alderman  was  ordered  to 
make  a  return  of  the  poor  in  his  ward.  A  poor-house  was  not  then 
provided,  but  the  paupers  were  recommended  as  objects  of  charity,  and 
granted  a  small  pittance  of  the  public  money  About  the  same  time 
the  corporation  erected  in  front  of  the  City  Hall,  on  the  river  shore,  a 
pillory,  cage,  whipping-post,  and  ducking-stool,  as  a  perpetual  terror  to 
evil-doers.  Variants,  thieves,  slanderers  and  truant-children  were  to  be 
there  exposed  for  public  show,  or  to  receive  such  chastisement  as  their 
offenses  warranted.  The  ducking-stool  was  for  the  special  punishment  of 
excess  or  freedom  of  speech.  It  was  a  purely  English  invention.  It  had 
been  used  for  a  long  period  throughout  the  British  Empire.  This  was  the 
first  introduction  of  it  into  New  York.  Its  need  must  have  been  startlingly 
apparent  twenty-two  years  before,  when  the  Lutheran  minister,  having 
been  prosecuted  for  striking  a  woman,  pleaded  in  defense  that  she  jn-o- 
voked  him  1o  it  by  scolding. 

Street-cleaning  was  one  of  the  subjects  of  city  legislation  this  year.  A 
law  was  passed  requiring  every  householder  to  keep  the  street  clean 
in  front  of  his  own  door;  and  another  requiring  the  street  surveyor  to 
cause  all  "stramonium  and  other  poisonous  weeds  rooted  up  within  the 
city." 


CONDITION  OF  THE  PROVINCE. 


403 


If  the  affairs  of  the  province  had  been  as  ably  managed  as  those  of  the 
city,  it  would  have  been  fortunate.  But  Iugoldsby  was  illogical,  inexact, 
and  blundering.  He  was  brave  in  war,  and  had  some  talent  for  adminis- 
tration, but  he  did  not  know  his  own  mind.  His  interest  was  to  stand 
well  with  the  council,  and  his  irritable  and  imperious  nature  was  con- 
stantly impelling  him  to  quarrel  witb  them.  His  spleen  was  excited  one 
day  by  a  dry  answer  from  Van  Cortlandt;  the  next,  by  a  suggestion  from 
some  other  of  the  gentlemen.  He  kept  actively  at  work,  but  accom- 
plished little  or  nothing.  The  French  worried  the  government  into  a 
continual  state  of  unrest.  The  funds  were  wanting  to  satisfy  the  grum- 
bling demands  of  the  colonists  for  protection.  It  was  finally  determined 
to  make  another  appeal  to  the  king. 

Matthew  Clarkson  drew  up  an  address,  which  was  signed  by  Ingolds- 
by,  Philipse,  Van  Cortlandt,  Bayard,  Minvielle,  Nicolls,  and  Pinhorne, 
setting  forth  the  necessities  of  New  York  with  great  precision,  and  im- 
ploring supplies  to  carry  on  the  war.  It  contained  a  carefully  worded 
picture  of  the  condition  of  the  province,  and  of  its  sources  of  income,  and 
argued  the  advantage  of  adding  to  it  Connecticut,  New  Jersey,  and  Penn- 
sylvania, in  order  to  give  it  strength  to  defend  itself.  It  was  such  a 
document  as  could  not  be  passed  by  with  inattention.  It  said,  "The 
middle  of  Long  Island  is  altogether  barren.  The  west  end  is  chiefly 
employed  in  tillage  and  supplies  the  traffic  of  New  York.  The  east  end 
is  settled  by  New  England  people,  and  their  improvements  are  mostly  in 
pasturage  and  whaling.  Despite  our  strict  laws  their  industry  is  often 
carried  to  Boston.  Esopus  has  about  three  thousand  acres  of  manurable 
land,  all  the  rest  being  hills  and  mountains  not  possible  to  be  cultivated. 
The  chief  dependence  of  Albany  is  the  traffic  of  the  Indians.  New  York 
City  is  situated  upon  a  barren  island,  with  nothing  to  support  it  but  trade 
which  comes  chiefly  from  bread  and  flour  sent  to  the  West  Indies.  All 
the  rest  of  the  province  except  Westchester,  Staten  Island,  and  Martha's 
Vineyard,  consists  of  barren  mountains  not  improvable  by  human  in- 
dustry." It  was  read  by  King  William  ;  it  was  read  by  Queen  Mary ; 
it  was  read  by  the  Privy  Council. 

The  result  was  the  appointment  of  a  governor  for  New  York  with  broad 
instructions.  The  choice  fell  upon  Colonel  Benjamin  Fletcher,  a  soldier 
of  fortune,  and  an  energetic  officer.  He  was  made  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  the  distresses  of  his  government,  and  before  sailing  solicited  pre- 
sents for  the  Indians,  warlike  stores,  and  two  additional  companies  of 
soldiers.  It  was  all  granted  with  an  alacrity  equal  to  the  importance 
of  his  requests.  In  order  to  restore  that  internal  peace  which  the 
inconsiderate  folly  of  Leisler  had  destroyed,  a  general  pardon  was  granted, 


404 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


and  all  prosecutions  growing  out  of  the  late  disorders  prudently  dis- 
charged. 

The  frigate  which  bore  him  to  New  York  was  to  remain  for  the  pro- 
tection  of  its  coasts.  He  arrived  August  29,  and  was  cordially 
welcomed.     His  commission  was  formally  published  the  next 

Aug.  30  ix 

'  morning.  The  same  counselors  were  continued,  with  the  addition 
of  Peter  Schuyler  and  Richard  Townley,  and  they  all  took  the  customary 
oaths.  Dudley,  however,  was  still  absent,  and  Colonel  William  Smith 
was  appointed  chief  justice  in  his  place.  Fletcher  was  ordered  to  require 
all  the  English  colonies  to  furnish  their  quota  of  men  and  money  for  the 
general  defense ;  but  he  was  never  able  to  enforce  such  an  order,  and  all 
his  authority  outside  of  New  York  was  openly  disputed,  giving  him  re- 
peated and  unnecessary  mortifications. 

The  city  corporation  tendered  the  new  chief  magistrate  a  dinner,  which 
cost  £  20.  Mayor  De  Peyster  presided,  and  made  a  happily  worded 
speech  on  the  occasion.  He  requested  Fletcher  to  use  bis  influence  with 
the  king  to  obtain  a  confirmation  of  the  city  charter,  and  a  continuatioii 
of  the  bolting  and  baking  monopoly,  which  had  become  of  great  value 
to  New  York.  Vigorous  efforts  were  being  made  in  the  inland  towns  to 
break  it  up,  and  although  various  laws  had  been  passed  to  prevent  its 
infringement,  the  mayor  and  aldermen  were  apprehensive  of  its  ultimate 
destruction.  A  few  days  later  the  corporation  addressed  a  letter  to 
Fletcher  on  the  same  subject,  and  with  great  earnestness  entreated 
him  "  to  take  the  afflicted  city  into  favorable  consideration,  and  be 
come  its  benefactor  by  saving  it  the  monopoly  without  which  it  must 
perish." 

Governor  Fletcher  was  a  stout,  florid  man,  of  easy  address,  showy  and 
pretentious.  He  rolled  through  the  streets  in  a  carriage  drawn  by  six 
horses.  His  wife  and  daughters  were  stylish  ladies,  who  followed  the 
latest  European  fashions.  His  servants  wore  handsome  livery  and  were 
well  drilled.  He  was  fond  of  society,  and  never  happier  than  when  per- 
forming acts  of  hospitality.  He  was  a  great  lover  of  high  living  and 
drank  wine  daily,  but  not  to  excess.  It  was  a  common  practice  during 
his  administration  for  politicians  and  gentlemen  concerned  with  him  in 
the  government,  to  drop  in  at  their  own  convenience,  without  formal  in- 
vitation, and  dine  at  his  well-filled  table.  He  was  not  a  man  of  exten- 
sive learning,  but  his  mind  was  largely  stocked  with  ideas,  the  result  of 
acute  observation.  He  talked  rapidly  and  to  the  point,  and  his  argu- 
ments always  earned  weight.  He  had  a  hot,  hasty  temper,  but  it  was 
combined  with  so  much  decision  of  character  that  it  only  fitted  him  the 
more  perfectly  for  a  military  commander,  in  which  capacity  he  was  sue- 


GOVERNOR  FLETCHER. 


405 


cessful ;  there  was,  however,  about  him  an  arrogance  not  so  well  adapted 
to  the  chair  of  state.  He  stumbled  into  errors  and  extravagances,  and 
raised  up  against  himself  powerful  foes.  He  was  devoutly  religious,  and 
had  the  bell  rung  twice  every  day  for  prayers  in  his  household.  He 
exerted  himself  to  found  churches,  and  to  pave  the  way  for  the  extension 
of  the  gospel.  With  his  rule  commenced  a  distinct  era  in  the  civil  and 
religious  history  of  New  York. 

From  the  day  of  his  arrival  he  was  never  idle,  and  to  all  outward  ap- 
pearances seldom  weary.  His  first  work  was  to  study  into  the  affairs 
of  the  Indians.  They  must  not  be  allowed  to  go  over  to  the  French. 
He  repaired  to  Albany  and  placed  himself  under  the  tuition  of  Mayor 
Schuyler.  He  was  for  weeks  a  guest  in  the  Schuyler  mansion.  He  made 
a  trip  with  Schuyler  into  the  Mohawk  country,  and  was  entertained 
by  the  warriors  in  their  famous  castles.  He  pried  into  the  character, 
habits,  and  strength  of  these  natives  of  the  wilderness.  He  even  learned 
somewhat  of  their  language.  In  his  subsequent  transactions  with  them, 
his  success  was  so  marked  that  it  was  spoken  of  as  his  distinguishing 
excellence  by  those  who  would  not  give  him  credit  for  any  other  good 
thing. 

Much  was  due  to  his  instructor.  Schuyler  enjoyed  the  well-earned 
reputation  in  Europe  as  well  as  America  of  being  the  most  consummate 
diplomat  of  his  time.  He  had  secured  the  undying  friendship  of  the 
Iroquois,  and  his  advice  and  suggestions  carried  with  them  the  power 
of  law.  Golden  says  that  he  was  "  only  a  country  farmer,  who  had  on 
some  occasions  given  proof  of  courage,  but  that  he  was  in  no  way  distin- 
guished by  abilities  either  natural  or  acquired." 1  The  records  show, 
nevertheless,  that  he  possessed  a  depth  of  understanding  that  was  always 
in  advance  of  Indian  instinct  and  treachery,  with  no  inconsiderable  fund 
of  strength  in  reserve.  And  his  exhibition  of  military  skill  on  every 
occasion  where  there  was  a  clash  of  arms  seems  fully  to  have  justified 
the  Indian  sobriquet  of  the  "  Great  Brave  White  Chief." 

Fletcher  placed  Ingoldsby  in  command  of  the  soldiers  at  Albany.  i6g3 
Upon  his  return  to  New  York  he  was  waited  upon  by  Mayor  De 
Peyster  and  the  aldermen  of  the  city,  and  presented  with  a  gold  cup 
which  cost  the  corporation  £  100.    Such  presentations  were  then  very 
much  in  vogue  among  all  corporate  bodies  in  Europe. 

Presently  news  reached  Fletcher  that  the  vigorous  old  Count 
Frontenac  had  started  from  Montreal  with  an  army  of  six  or  seven  Jan' 15' 
hundred  French  and  Indians,  supplied  with  everything  necessary  for  a  win- 
ter's campaign,  intending  to  descend  upon  the  Five  Nations.    New  York 
i  Cadwalladcr  Colden's  Letters  to  his  Son.    N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.  (1868). 


406 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


was  alarmingly  insecure,  and  the  governor  and  the  mayor  went  unitedly 
into  the  work  of  fortifications.    One  cold  snowy  winter  evenin" 

Feb.  12.  0 

"  about  ten  o'clock  an  express  reached  Fletcher  to  the  effect  that 
the  French  were  fighting  the  Iroquois  in  the  neighborhood  of  Schenec- 
tady, and  that  Schuyler  had  started  with  a  small  force  from  Albany  to 
the  relief  of  the  allied  Indians.  Drums  at  once  beat  for  volunteers,  and 
within  forty-eight  hours  Fletcher  with  three  hundred  men  was  en  route 
for  the  scene  of  warfare.  He  reached  Schenectady  on  the  17th, 
and  found  that  the  French  had  been  defeated  and  driven  towards 
Canada  with  serious  loss.  They  were  pursued  until  their  pursuers  were 
so  distressed  for  provisions  that  they  fed  upon  the  dead  bodies  of  the 
enemy.  The  French  were  reduced  to  that  degree  of  starvation  before 
they  got  home  that  they  ate  their  shoes. 

The  governor's  promptness  and  the  extraordinary  circumstance  of  free 
navigation  of  the  Hudson  Biver  in  the  month  of  February  caused  the 
Indians  to  regard  him  as  a  wonderful  warrior,  and  they  gave  him  the 
name  of  "  Cayenguirago,"  —  the  Great  Swift  Arrow.  The  Indians  had 
lost  their  castles  and  suffered  severely.  Fletcher  did  what  he  could  to 
comfort  them,  assisted  them  to  build  wigwams,  and  furnished  them  with 
provisions.  The  sachems  told  him  that  the  English  did  not  provide  them 
with  warlike  stores  as  the  French  did  their  Indian  friends,  and  that  they 
could  not  continue  the  war  unless  they  were  better  sustained.  They  said, 
too,  that  if  all  the  colonies  would  join  in  good  earnest  Canada  might  be 
reduced. 

Fletcher  returned  to  New  York,  leaving  the  frontiers  distracted  and 
comparatively  defenseless.  The  Assembly  soon  after  convened,  and  voted 
him  the  thanks  of  the  House  for  his  energetic  proceedings.  The  defense 
of  the  province,  which  might  be  so  easily  invaded,  was  the  first  and  most 
important  subject  for  discussion.  Six  hundred  pounds  for  one  year's  pay 
of  three  hundred  volunteers  was  granted.  Then  Fletcher  called  attention 
to  the  establishment  of  the  Church  of  England,  according  to  the  king's 
orders.  The  indifference  of  the  House  in  regard  to  what  he  had  said  on 
a  former  occasion  angered  him,  and  he  remarked  with  much  asperity : 
"  Gentlemen,  the  first  thing  I  recommended  to  you  at  our  last  meeting  was 
to  provide  for  a  ministry,  and  nothing  is  yet  done.  You  are  all  big  with 
the  privileges  of  Englishmen  and  Magna  Charta,  which  is  your  right,  and 
the  same  law  provides  for  the  religion  of  the  Church  of  England.  As 
you  have  postponed  it  this  session,  I  trust  you  will  take  hold  of  it  at  the 
next  meeting  and  do  something  toward  it  effectually." 

The  two  factions  which  had  derived  their  existence  from  the  Revolution 
would  not  agree  upon  anything.    Whenever  Fletcher  attempted  to  recon- 


FLETCHER'S  DIFFICULTIES. 


407 


And  things  grew 


die  feuds,  he  found  neither  adversary  inclined  to  be  content  with  less 
than  the  other's  neck.  He  was,  indeed,  as  he  expressed  himself,  ruler 
over  "  a  divided,  contentious,  and  impoverished  people.' 
worse  ins t e a d  of  be 1 1 e r. 
Some  of  his  counselors,  hav- 
ing suffered  unjustly  them- 
selves, relentlessly  persecuted 
those  who  had  wronged  them 
under  the  authority  of  Leis- 
ler's  commissions.  The  Leis- 
lerians,  on  the  other  hand,  ac- 
cused the  governor  of  being 
the  tool  of  the  aristocrats, 
and  took  exception  to  all  his 
measures.  Jacob  Leisler,  Jr., 
was  now  at  the  court  of  Wil- 
liam and  Mary,  directing  all 
his  energies  to  the  task  of  re- 
moving the  stain  of  treason 
from  his  father's  memory. 
He  was  aided  by  the  depos- 
itions of  many  persons  in 
New  York,  and  his  mother 
and  six  sisters  were  sending 

petition  after  petition  to  the  cpieen.  It  occasioned  continual  commotion. 
The  six  prisoners  in  the  fort,  under  sentence  of  death,  appealed  to  Fletcher, 
immediately  upon  his  arrival,  for  release  from  their  "  miserable  confine- 
ment." He  sent  for  Dr.  Gerardus  Beekman  and  Abraham  Gouverneur  to 
come  before  him  in  the  City  Hall,  and,  in  the  presence  of  Mayor  De 
Peyster,  told  them  that  they  had  petitioned  him  separate  from  his  council ; 
that,  even  if  the  latter  were  their  enemies,  since  he  must  rule  the  country 
in  connection  with  them,  they  must  address  a  petition  in  a  suitable  man- 
ner, before  he  could  take  any  steps  for  their  benefit.  It  was  accordingly 
done.  Then  each  of  the  prisoners  was  set  at  liberty,  after  giving  bonds 
that  he  would  not  leave  the  province.  Abraham  Gouverneur  quickly 
took  advantage  of  his  freedom,  and  escaped  in  a  fishing-boat  to  Boston. 
Sir  William  Phipps,  who  had  recently  been  made  governor  of  Massachu- 
setts, promised  to  take  care  of  him  and  assist  him  in  going  to  England. 
Phipps  told  Gouverneur  that  Fletcher  was  a  "  poor  beggar,"  who  only 
sought  money  and  not  the  good  of  the  country,  and  that  the  "old  King 
James's  Council "  at  New  York  spoiled  every  good  thing,  and  must  be  got 


Garden  Street  Dutch  Church,  built  in  1693. 


408 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


out  of  the  way.  Phipps's  counselors  talked  in  a  similar  strain  to  Gouver* 
neur,  who  wrote  an  account  .of  it  to  his  parents,  with  a  request  that  his 
letter  might  be  shown  to  Dr.  Beekman  and  Mrs.  Leisler. 

All  at  once  Fletcher  heard  that  there  had  been  meetings,  violent 
speeches,  serious  reflections  upon  some  members  of  his  council,  and  fresh 
demands  of  reparation  for  Leisler's  blood.  While  he  was  wondering  what 
had  started  such  a  storm,  and  just  as  he  was  flattering  himself  that  he 
had  somewhat  abated  the  foaming  of  the  waters,  the  letter  of  Gouverneur 
by  a  singular  accident  fell  into  his  hands.  Ah !  it  was  Boston,  the  neigh- 
bor who,  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  tranquility  of  peace,  disregarded  the  cries 
for  help  when  New  York  was  overawed  by  a  murderous  enemy,  —  it  was 
Boston  at  the  bellows,  trying  to  fan  the  embers  of  former  discontents. 
Fletcher  wrote  to  Phipps,  and  demanded  the  surrender  of  Gouverneur, 
which  was  haughtily  denied,  and  the  latter  soon  joined  young  Leisler  in 
London. 

Fletcher's  endeavor  to  establish  a  ministry  was  seconded  with  great 
zeal  by  Caleb  Heathcote,  who  was  appointed  to  the  governor's  council  in 
the  spring  of  1693.  He  had  been  in  New  York  but  a  few  months,  but 
his  uncle  Captain  George  Heathcote  had  been  a  property  owner  in  the 
city  for  seventeen  or  more  years.  The  uncle  died  a  bachelor,  and  Caleb 
was  his  heir  by  will.  The  latter  was  a  young  man  of  promise,  and  his 
unusual  talents  brought  him  into  immediate  notice.  He  was  the  son 
of  the  mayor  of  Chester  in  England,  and  brother  to  Sir  Gilbert  Heathcote, 
the  founder  and  first  president  of  the  bank  of  England,  and  Lord  Mayor 
of  London. 

There  was  a  curious  romance  in  which  these  brothers  were  concerned. 
Caleb  was  engaged  to  be  married  to  a  lady  of  great  beauty,  and  in  the 
full  pride  of  conquest  took  his  elder  brother  to  see  his  betrothed.  Gilbert 
was  not  only  struck  with  admiration,  but  actually  fell  in  love  with  the 
lady  himself.  What  is  more,  he  finally  supplanted  Caleb  in  her  affec- 
tions and  married  her.  The  disappointed  lover  sailed  for  America,  and 
was  soon  immersed  in  business  both  public  and  private.  Succeeding  to 
the  estate  of  his  uncle,  who  had  large  shipping  interests,  he  found  little 
time  for  heart-breaking  regrets.  Society  was  also  a  cordial  balm  for  his 
slowly  healing  wound,  for  no  one  in  those  days  who  saw  a  gentleman 
could  mistake  his  social  position,  and  he  was  consequently  received  into 
the  little  circle  which  gathered  around  the  governor  with  all  the  state 
and  ceremony  of  a  court.  It  was  not  long  before  he  became  a  favorite 
guest  in  the  house  of  Chief  .Justice  William  Smith,  "Tangier  Smith  "  as 
he  was  called  from  having  been  governor  of  Tangier  before  he  came  to 
New  York.    The  chief  center  of  attraction  was  Miss  Martha  Smith,  that 


A  CURIOUS  ROMANCE. 


409 


gentleman's  daughter,  and  ere  many  mouths  a  gay  wedding  at  St. 
George's  manor  furnished  society  gossip  for  a  season.  Heathcote  built 
a  manor-house  on  his  extensive  lauds  near  Mamaroneck  (which  were 
erected  into  a  manor  in  1701),  and  was  lord  of  the  manor  of  Scarsdale  to 
the  end  of  a  long  and  eveutful  life.  At  bis  death  the  title  as  well  as  the 
estate  descended  to  his  son  Gilbert.  He  had  other  children,  among  whom 
a  large  legacy  from  his  brother  William  was  divided.  His  eldest  daugh- 
ter, Ann,  married  Lieutenant-Governor  James  De  Lancey.  His  third 
daughter,  Martha,  married  Dr.  James  Johnson  of  Perth  Amboy,  who  was 
the  friend  and  correspondent  of  Gronovius,  and  who  succeeded  Heath- 
cote as  mayor  of  New  York. 

In  July  word  came  to  Fletcher  that  the  French  were  offering  presents 
to  the  Iroquois,  who  had  suffered  terribly  from  the  war  while  they 
had  received  no  material  aid  from  the  colonies  which  they  had 
defended.  The  defection  of  these  brave  allies  would  be  the  ruin  of  New 
York.  The  governor  hurried  to  Albany,  and  summoned  the  sachems  to  an 
interview.  He  made  them  large  gifts  of  clothing,  hatchets,  knives,  and 
ammunition.  They  were  apparently  pleased,  and  gave  him  furs  as  a  trib- 
ute of  esteem.  But  they  delivered  no  belt  of  wampum  as  a  token  of  sincer- 
ity, and  although  they  promised  to  remain  steadfast  and  loyal,  they  left 
behind  them  a  feeling  of  insecurity.  Fletcher  wrote  to  the  kiug  that  the 
warriors  accused  the  neighboring  English  colonies  of  cowardice  and  lazi- 
ness,  and  were  extremely  dissatisfied  that  they  were  involved  alone  in 
such  bloody  warfare.  "  And  should  we  lose  the  affections  of  our  Indian 
friends,"  he  continued,  "  we  should  be  instantly  steeped  in  blood  our- 
selves." 

A  new  Assembly  convened  in  September,  and  James  Graham  was 
elected  speaker.    Fletcher  recommended  two  chief  objects  to  the 

.  Sept.  14. 

consideration  of  the  House.    One  was  the  settling  of  a  ministry, 
the  other  was  the  establishment  of  the  revenue  during  the  life  of  the  king. 
Business  progressed  slowly,  for  there  was  much  coldness  and  back- 
wardness among  the  members.    Fletcher  sent  a  messenger  on  the  Sept'  2°' 
20th  to  remind  the  House  of  the  value  of  time  and  the  great  expense  of 
the  session  to  the  country.    Shortly  after,  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt  pre- 
sented the  bill  of  the  revenue,  which  was  read  for  the  first  time.    In  the 
afternoon  a  committee  from  the  House  met  a  committee  from  the  council 
at  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt's  residence,  where  the  bill  was  discussed  at 
great  length.    The  counselors  were  all  for  settling  the  revenue  upon  the 
king  for  life.    The  Assemblymen  present,  among  whom  were  Jacobus 
Van  Cortlandt,  Johannes  Kip,  and  Colonel  Pierson,  were  firmly  in  favor 
of  continuing  it  only  for  five  years.    An  amendment  warmly  sustained 


410 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


by  the  counselors  was  voted  "down  by  the  Assemblymen,  and  it  passed 
the  House  in  its  original  form. 

The  next  day  a  bill  for  the  establishment  of  a  ministry,  which  gave 
the  election  of  rectors  to  the  vestry-men  and  church-wardens,  was  trans- 
mitted to  the  council.  It  was  returned  with  an  amendment  investing 
the  power  of  collation  in  the  governor.  The  Assembly  refused  to  assent 
to  an  alteration  which  deducted  so  much  weight  from  the  scale  of  popular 
power.  The  bill  became  a  law,  and  it  was  couched  in  such  language  as 
led  the  Church  of  England  to  think  it  was  enacted  for  her  establishment 
alone,  and  gave  room  for  the  dissenters  to  contend  that  it  was  passed 
equally  for  their  benefit.  Fletcher  was  so  exasperated  that  he  summoned 
the  House  before  him  and  broke  up  the  session  in  high  temper.  He 
said :  — 

"  You  have  shown  a  great  deal  of  stiffness.  You  take  upon  you  airs  as  if  you 
were  dictators.  I  sent  down  to  you  an  amendment  of  three  or  four  words  in 
that  bill,  which,  though  very  immaterial,  yet  was  positively  denied.  I  must  tell 
you  that  it  seems  very  unmannerly.  There  never  was  an  amendment  yet  de- 
cided by  the  council  but  what  you  rejected  ;  it  is  a  sign  of  stubborn  dl-temper. 
But,  gentlemen,  I  must  take  leave  to  tell  you,  if  you  seem  to  understand  by 
these  words  that  none  can  serve  without  your  collation  or  establishment,  you  are 
mistaken ;  for  I  have  the  power  of  collating  or  suspending  any  minister  in  my 
government  by  their  Majesties'  letters  patent.  Whilst  I  stay  in  the  government 
I  will  take  care  that  neither  heres}r,  sedition,  schism,  nor  rebellion  be  preached 
among  you,  nor  vice  nor  profanity  encouraged.  It  is  my  endeavor  to  lead  a  vir- 
tuous and  pious  life  and  to  set  a  good  example.  I  wish  you  all  to  do  the  same. 
You  ought  to  consider  that  you  have  but  a  third  share  in  the  legislative  power 
of  the  government,  and  ought  not  to  take  all  upon  you,  nor  be  so  peremptory. 
You  ought  to  let  the  council  do  their  part.  They  are  in  the  nature  cf  the  House 
of  Lords  or  Upper  House.  But  you  seem  to  take  the  whole  power  into  your  own 
hands  and  set  up  for  everything.  You  have  had  a  very  long  session  to  little 
purpose  and  have  been  a  great  charge  to  the  country.  Ten  shillings  a  day  is  a 
large  allowance  and  you  punctually  exact  it.  You  have  been  always  forward 
enough  to  put  down  the  fees  of  other  ministers  in  the  government ;  why  did  you 
not  think  it  expedient  to  correct  your  own  to  a  more  moderate  allowance  1  Gen- 
tlemen, I  shall  say  no  more  at  present,  but  that  you  do  withdraw  to  your  private 
affairs  in  the  country.  You  are  hereby  prorogued  to  the  tenth  day  of  January 
next,  ensuing." 1 

At  this  time  the  Assembly  had  no  treasurer,  and  the  public  money  went 
directly  into  the  hands  of  the  receiver-general,  who  was  appointed  by  the 

i  Journal  of  the  Legislative  Council  of  New  York,  Vol.  I.  47,  48.    Chalmers.  Smith. 

Jhtncroft.  Dunlap. 


SIB  WILLIAM  PHIPPS. 


411 


Crown.  It  was  issuable  only  by  tbe  governor's  warrant,  bence  every 
officer  from  tbe  auditor  to  tbe  clerk  of  tbe  Assembly  must  apply  to 
Fletcher  for  tbeir  pay. 

New  York  was  afflicted  witb  all  tbe  pressures  wbicb  never  fail  to  over- 
whelm any  country  whose  resources  are  not  equal  to  its  enterprises.  Be- 
sides, she  was  struggling  alone  against  the  common  danger.  Fletcher's 
letters  to  the  king  finally  led  the  latter  to  send  mandatory  letters  to  the 
other  colonies,  ordering  them  to  assist  New  York  in  tbe  prosecution  of  the 
war.  For  greater  union  he  sent  a  commission  to  Fletcher  to  govern  Penn- 
sylvania, which  Penn  had  neglected  since  the  Revolution.  By  the  same 
vessel  came  a  letter  to  Fletcher  from  Penn  himself,  admonishing  him  "  to 
tread  softly  and  with  caution,"  as  that  territory  and  its  government  was 
his  own  private  property.  Fletcher  made  a  journey  to  Pennsylvania,  and 
spent  some  six  weeks  in  tha  province ;  but  the  Quakers  had  been  instruct- 
ed how  to  evade  bis  authority,  and,  finding  he  could  accomplish  nothing, 
he  left  the  government  to  Lieutenant-Governor  Markbam,  and  wrote  to 
William  that  the  trust  conferred  upon  him  was  "  only  a  trouble,"  and,  so 
far  from  adding  strength  to  New  York,  bis  absence  increased  her  embar- 
rassments. 

It  was  during  his  brief  stay  in  Pennsylvania  that  he  presided  at  the 
trial  of  William  Bradford,  the  printer,  who,  having  been  arrested  and  ar- 
raigned before  two  Quaker  judges  for  having  printed  a  pamphlet  for  the 
political  party  out  of  power  without  permission  of  the  administration,  had 
appealed  to  the  highest  tribunal  in  the  province.  He  was  triumphantly 
acquitted,  and  Fletcher,  becoming  greatly  interested  in  him  personally, 
and  desirous  of  introducing  the  art  of  printing  into  New  York,  invited 
him  to  come  to  the  metropolis  and  print  for  the  government  at  a  stated 
salary.  Bradford  accepted  the  call,  and  took  up  his  permanent  abode  in 
New  York. 

Sir  William  Phipps  had  been  commissioned  to  govern  all  New  England, 
but  his  jurisdiction  over  the  military  of  Connecticut  was  revoked  and 
transferred  to  Fletcher.  The  latter  went  to  Hartford  to  assume  author- 
ity. He  remained  there  twenty  days,  and  tried  in  vain  to  prove  tbe  inhe- 
rent right  of  the  Crown  to  control  all  matters  appertaining  to  the  militia. 
The  General  Court  was  intrenched  behind  the  charter,  and  finally  sent 
Wintbrop  to  England  for  redress ;  tbe  latter  so  pleaded  his  cause  at  court 
that  tbe  Crown  lawyers  decided  in  favor  of  the  Connecticut  charter,  and 
that  the  king  had  only  tbe  right  to  appoint  the  quota  to  be  furnished  in 
times  of  great  emergency.  Fletcher's  commission  was  consequently  re- 
voked. 

Fletcher  next  sent  Mayor  De  Peyster  and  Counselor  Brooke  to  Boston 
3<j 


412 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


to  negotiate  with  Governor  Phipps  for  assistance.  He  received  them  un- 
graciously. "When  they  stated  their  errand,  and  told  him  of  the  weak 
condition  of  New  York,  the  great  depopulation  it  had  suffered  in  the  de- 
fense of  the  frontiers,  the  wavering  temper  of  the  Indians,  and  the  ruin- 
ous taxes  repeated  and  repeated  upon  the  people  until  they  were  weary 
and  disheartened,  and  asked  for  a  proper  quota  from  Massachusetts  pur- 
suant to  the  king's  instructions,  Phipps  seemed  disposed  to  answer  them 
in  the  same  way  that  he  reproved  his  servants,  hy  throwing  a  chair  at 
their  heads.  He  swore  he  would  not  furnish  a  man  nor  a  farthing. 
They  told  him  that  the  governors  of  the  different  colonies  were  going  to 
send  commissioners  to  New  York  in  October  to  confer  on  the  subject, 
but  he  sharply  interrupted  them  by  declaring  that  none  should  come  from 
him.  Some  of  Phipps's  counselors  were  present,  and  seemed  heartily 
ashamed  of  his  behavior.  They  apologized,  aside,  and  hoped  that  I)e 
Peyster  and  Brooke  would  blame  his  education  for  what  they  had  seen 
and  heard.  "  His  Excellency  is  needlessly  hot,"  said  Brooke.  "  Ah  !  you 
must  pardon  him ;  it  is  dog-days,"  was  the  reply. 
1694.  Iu  the  spring  a  new  Assembly  was  elected.  When  they  con- 
March.  venecl  Colonel  Pierson  was  chosen  speaker.  There  was  so  much 
disagreement  among  the  members  about  the  amount  of  taxes  to  be  levied 
upon  the  already  overburdened  people,  that  Fletcher  became  uneasy  lest 
the  gallant  Iroquois  should  make  a  separate  treaty  with  the  French  before 
he  could  furnish  them  the  aid  he  had  promised.  Finally  a  dispute  arose 
about  the  number  of  men  necessary  to  guard  the  frontiers.  Fletcher, 
worried  out  of  all  patience,  testily  informed  the  House  that  he  was  a 
competent  judge  of  such  matters,  and  if  they  would  provide  a  subsidy,  he 
would  head  the  militia  any  moment  when  necessary.  "  Time  runs  away," 
he  exclaimed.  "  You  have  now  sat  twenty  days,  and  little  or  nothing  is 
done.  It  were  much  more  pleasant  if  business  went  on  cheerfully  at 
once."  A  bill  was  finally  passed  to  raise  a  small  sum,  but  it  was  insuffi- 
cient. The  House  demanded  an  examination  of  the  public  accounts,  par- 
ticularly the  muster-rolls  of  the  volunteers  in  the  pay  of  the  province, 
the  members  who  were  of  the  Leislerian  faction  having  accused  Fletcher 
and  his  council  of  official  stealing.  It  was  granted  ;  but  the  malicious 
warfare  of  words  did  not  cease.  The  session  was  adjourned  on  the  26th 
of  March  to  meet  again  on  the  25th  of  September. 

During  the  summer  the  little  printing-press  of  William  Bradford 
created  quite  a  sensation  in  New  York.  He  was  among  other  things  em- 
ployed in  printing  the  Corporation  laws.  The  young  printer  was  one  of 
the  most  industrious  of  men,  and  was  constantly  issuing  something  novel, 
and  from  its  rarity  and  freshness  of  course  interesting  to  people  who  had 


ROBERT  LIVINGSTON  IN  ENGLAND. 


413 


hitherto  been  obliged  to  obtain  all  printed  matter  from  a  distance.  His 
first  issue  was  a  small  folio  volume.  The  second  was  a  24mo  of  fifty-one 
pages,  entitled  "  A  letter  of  advice  to  a  young  gentleman  leaving 
the  University,  concerning  his  conversation  and  behavior  in  the 
world  ;  by  R.  L.  A."  A  copy  of  this  antique  work  was  sold  at  an  auction 
sale  of  E.  B.  Corwin,  a  few  years  since,  for  the  small  sum  of  %  12.50  ! 

Robert  Livingston  was  in  England  the  greater  part  of  this  year.  He 
sailed  in  the  early  spring,  and  his  vessel  was  shipwrecked  upon  the  coast 
of  Portugal.  He  had  no  alternative  but  to  undertake  the  hazardous  jour- 
ney through  Spain  and  France  by  land.  He  was  about  sixty  years  of 
age  at  the  time,  but  in  the  full  possession  of  all  his  remarkable  gifts  of 
intellect,  and  scarcely  less  reckless  than  in  his  adventurous  youth.  He 
accomplished  the  feat  of  getting  through  an  enemy's  country  in  safety, 
and  in  commemoration  of  the  event  altered  the  Livingston  coat-of-arms 
from  a  demi-savage  to  a  ship  in  distress,  and  changed  the  motto  "  Si  je 
Puis  "  —  If  I  am  able,  —  to  "  Spero  Meliora  "  —  I  hope  for  better  things. 
He  was  cordially  received  by  the  lords  at  Whitehall. 

He  was  surprised  to  learn  that  an  order  had  passed  the  Privy  Council 
for  the  pardon  of  the  "  condemned  six  "  in  New  York,  and  that  their 
estates  had  been  restored  to  them  !  He  was  still  more  surprised  to  meet 
Abraham  Gouverneur  in  the  antechamber  of  the  kin" !  But  when  he 
met  young  Leisler  at  the  dinn,er-table  of  the  Earl  of  Bellomont  his  feel- 
ings underwent  a  change,  and  he  entered  with  characteristic  warmth  into 
the  iron  purpose  of  the  young  man  to  secure  complete  restitution  of  blood 
as  well  as  property ;  and  he,  moreover,  aided  the  latter  to  the  extent  of 
his  influence,  which  was  not  inconsiderable.  William  having  been  suc- 
cessfully petitioned  for  leave  to  apply  to  Parliament,  Constantine  Phipps 
(one  of  the  Massachusetts  agents)  framed  a  bill  to  reverse  the  attainder 
of  Leisler  and  his  adherents,  and  Sir  Henry  Ashurst  sat  as  chairman 
of  the  committee  to  whom  it  was  referred.  Dudley  was  present,  and 
opposed  it  with  all  his  strength,  and  the  whole  court  regarded  it  with 
disfavor.  It  nevertheless  passed  into  a  law  in  April,  1695.  Massachu- 
setts was  triumphant,  as  it  was  supposed  to  contain  a  Parliamentary 
recognition  of  the  rectitude  of  her  violent  proceedings.  As  for  New 
York,  this  implied  censure  upon  her  administration  engendered  and  con- 
tinued civil  distractions  \intil  it  seemed  as  if  she  would  be  rent  in  sunder. 
Gouverneur  returned  and  became  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  persistent 
leaders  of  the  Leislerian  party.  In  1699  he  married  Mary  Leisler,  the 
widow  of  Jacob  Milborne.  One  of  his  daughters  was  the  mother  of  the 
distinguished  Gouverneur  Morris. 

Meanwhile  September  came  and  the  Assembly  once  more  convened. 


414 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Fletcher  presented  a  detailed  account  of  his  transactions  with  the  Indians, 
and  explained  to  the  House  the  ill  effects  of  their  late  policy  in 

Sept.  25.  .    *  r  j 

abating  fourpence  per  day  from  the  soldiers'  pay.  These  poorly 
compensated  men  had  been  running  away  in  troops  of  seven  at  a  time. 
Eightpence  could  hardly  provide  food  and  shoes.  Men  could  not  be 
found  to  serve  for  such  a  paltry  sum.  Fletcher  said  he  knew  how  to 
exercise  strict  discipline,  but  it  went  against  his  nature  to-  put  men  to 
death  for  desertion  when  they  were  starving  and  freezing,  and  it  was 
impossible  for  them  to  do  duty  barefoot  on  the  frontiers  in  the  winter. 
The  New  York  soldiers  were  the  more  discouraged  because  those  from 
New  Jersey  received  their  full  twelvepence  per  day. 

He  also  pressed  attention  to  the  disagreeable  duty  of  raising  more 
money  for  forts,  ammunition,  and  stores.  But  the  Leislerians  in  the 
House  were  growing  bolder  every  day.  They  were  determined  to  crucify 
the  men  who  surrounded  and  supported  Fletcher.  They  expressed  dis- 
satisfaction with  the  disposition  of  the  revenue.  The  books  were  again 
laid  open  for  their  inspection.  They  had  no  intention  of  being  molli- 
fied, and  picked  flaws  with  many  of  the  charges  and  disbursements,  not- 
withstanding they  were  aware  as  well  as  others,  that  in  time  of  actual 
war  there  will  unavoidably  be  great  and  unexpected  charges,  indispen- 
sable to  the  welfare  and  safety  of  a  country.  Fletcher  had,  as  soon  as 
he  found  there  was  no  prospect  of  help  from  the  colonies  (except  New 
Jersey)  applied  himself  to  the  work  of  obtaining  recruits  from  England, 
and  had  so  far  succeeded  that  four  hundred  soldiers,  as  a  standing  force, 
about  this  time  arrived.  But  they  must  be  supported.  While  eight- 
pence  per  day  would  enable  an  English  soldier  to  live  better  in  Eng- 
land, as  far  as  meat  and  clothing  were  concerned,  than  twice  that  sum 
in  New  York,  the  Assembly  were  unwilling  to  grant  any  additional 
pay.  Fletcher  argued  that  they  could  not  be  kept  together  on  that 
amount  of  money;  they  would  soon  have  no  means  to  buy  shoes,  stock- 
ings, and  shirts.  The  dispute  became  very  bitter.  Fletcher  accused  the 
House  of  ingratitude,  alter  all  his  efforts  to  secure  the  troops,  The  House 
muttered  about  the  misapplication  of  the  revenue.  He  finally  prorogued 
them  until  the  following  March. 

When  they  then  came  together  the  wrangle  was  renewed  with 

1005.  J  °  .11 

vigor.  The  House  asked  for  an  adjournment  until  the  muster- 
March  21. 

rolls  could  be  inspected.  Fletcher  refused,  on  the  ground  that  the 
request  was  improper,  and  he  demanded  the  immediate  raising  of  funds 
for  the  subsistence  and  pay  of  the  officers  and  men  in  the  service  of  the 
province.  A  bill  was  framed  to  raise  £1000,  to  secure  the  frontier  for 
six  mouths.    It  was  pronounced  insufficient  by  Fletcher,  and  rejected. 


GOVERNOR  FLETCHER'S  SPEECH. 


415 


A  committee  from  the  governor's  council  met  a  committee  from  the  As- 
sembly, and  placed  the  accounts  of  the  province  before  them  in  order  to 
show  that  a  fraction  over  £  1023  was  at  that  moment  actually  due  to  the 
forces  at  Albany.  The  committee  from  the  Assembly  refused  to  look  at 
these  papers.  They  asserted  that  there  was  a  surplus  of  funds  some- 
where, and  demanded  the  balance  of  accounts,  not  the  accounts  them- 
selves. They  said  they  believed  there  was  a  voucher  for  every  dollar 
which  had  passed  the  council-board,  but  would  not  credit  the  council. 
If  Fletcher  appointed  more  officers  than  the  House  made  provision  for, 
or  detained  the  men  longer  in  service,  he  must  pay  it  himself.  The  com- 
mittee from  the  council  explained  that  the  men  were  detained  longer  in 
the  service  on  account  of  the  delay  in  the  arrival  of  the  soldiers  from 
England,  and  the  intelligence  that  the  enemy  were  marching  towards 
Albany;  there  was  also  daily  occasion  to  send  out  men  to  range  the 
woods  and  defend  isolated  farms.  Who  so  competent  to  judge  in  such 
matters  as  the  commander-in-chief  ?  The  men  had  done  their  work,  and 
now  they  must  be  paid.  The  next  day  there  was  another  meeting 
of  the  two  committees.  The  council  were  represented  by  Ste- 
phanus  Van  Cortlanclt,  Chief  Justice  Smith,  and  Caleb  Heathcote.  Peter 
De  Lanoy  was  at  the  head  of  the  committee  from  the  Assembly.  The 
council  tendered  the  House  the  muster-rolls  ;  they  had  before  given  the 
abstracts,  they  now  put  the  original  papers  into  the  hands  of  De  Lanoy, 
and  desired  him  to  compare  it  with  the  abstract  in  the  presence  of  and 
for  the  satisfaction  of  every  member  of  the  Assembly.  De  Lanoy  de- 
clined, saying,  "  There  is  no  need  of  it." 

But  when  the  Assembly  again  voted,  it  was  to  raise  only  the  £  1,000. 
Fletcher  was  in  a  very  trying  position.    He  sent  for  the  speaker 
and  the  whole  Assembly,  and  in  the  council-chamber  earnestly  April  12' 
entreated  them  to  "  leave  fruitless  and  causeless  contention  and  jangling, 
which  was  a  stagnation  upon  all  business,  and  regard  only  the  good  and 
safety  of  the  province."    The  counselors  took  the  opportunity  to  acknowl- 
edge themselves  witnesses  of  the  governor's  integrity,  and  expressed  their 
unanimous  belief  that  it  was  his  sincere  desire  to  promote  the  best  inter- 
ests of  the  people.    It  was  to  no  purpose  ;  suspicion  had  taken  deep 
root,  and  the  House  would  not  recede  from  its  position.    The  fol- 
lowing morning  the  governor  prorogued  the  Assembly  for  ten  days.  He 
said :  — 

"  You  have  spent  a  long  time  cat  the  expense  of  the  country  for  no  purpose. 
The  supply  you  give  is  no  supply  at  all.    If  a  man  gives  mo  £1000,  and 

obliges  me  to  pay  £  10,000,  he  gives  me  nothing  Iam  as  sensible  of  the 

burden  of  detachments  as  you  can  be  and  have  done  much  more  to  lighten  it. 


416 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


It  is  an  oppression  that  falls  wholly  upon  the  poor.  The  most  of  you  are  shel- 
tered by  commissions,  as  justices  of  the  peace  or  militia  officers  ;  but  you  know 
that  you  must  contribute  some  proportion  to  the  taxes.  The  gentlemen  who 
are  of  my  council  are  riveted  among  you  here.  They  have  fixed  down  their 
stakes  and  have  as  much  interest  in  the  country  as  yourselves.  Yea,  more  than 
all  of  you.  They  are  as  unwilling  to  bring  a  yoke  upon  their  posterity  as  you 
are.  I  can  name  two  of  them  who  pay  more  taxes  in  one  year  than  all  of  you 
pay.  It  seems  strange  that  you  will  put  no  trust  in  them,  and  make  doubts  and 
scruples  where  there  is  no  ground  for  it,  in  things  which  you  yourselves  confess 
you  do  not  understand.  There 's  never  a  man  amongst  you,  except  Peter  De 
Lanoy,  who  pretends  to  understand  an  account.  There  is  not  one  farthing  of 
public  money  disbursed  but  by  advice  of  the  council,  and  there  are  good  vouch- 
ers for  it  Had  you  acted  like  men,  if  you  found  me  out  of  my  duty,  it 

was  your  business  to  have  provided  for  the  safety  of  the  province,  then  to  have 
drawn  up  your  accusation  against  me  to  their  Majesties,  which  I  should  have 
taken  care  should  have  come  to  their  hands." 

The  Assembly  had  on  the  12th,  in  answer  to  a  petition  from  five 
church-wardens  and  vestrymen  of  the  city,  declared  that  these  church- 
wardens and  vestrymen  had  power  to  call  a  dissenting  minister,  who 
should  lie  paid  and  maintained  according  to  the  Act  of  September  22, 
1693.  Fletcher,  who  had  very  just  notions  on  such  subjects,  sharply  re- 
buked the  members  for  meddling  with  what  they  did  not  understand. 
"  The  laws,"  he  said,  "  are  to  be  interpreted  only  by  judges ;  .  .  .  .  there 
are  no  such  officers  as  church-wardens  and  vestrymen  in  any  Protestant 
church  but  the  Church  of  England." 

On  the  20th  Fletcher  dissolved  the  Assembly  by  proclama- 
APni2o.  Another  was  elected,  and  convened  in  June.  Fletcher 

had  been  personally  into  the  field,  and  influenced  the  election  as  far  as  it 
was  in  his  power.  Among  the  members  were  Colonel  Henry  Beekman,1 
Brandt  Schuyler,  Major  Wessells,  aud  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt.  James 

1  Colonel  Henry  Beekman  was  the  eldest  son  of  William  Beekman,  and  brother  of  Dr. 
Gerardus  Beekman.  He  settled  in  Esopus  (Kingston).  He  was  called  the  "Great  Patentee" 
because  of  his  extensive  landed  estate.  A  boy  once  asked  a  Dutch  fanner  on  the  Hudson,  if 
there  was  any  land  in  the  moon.  "I  don't  know,"  was  the  reply  ;  "but  if  you  will  go  to 
CoUnel  Henry  Beekman  he  can  tell  you,  for  if  there  is  any  there  you  may  be  sure  he  lias  got 
a  patent  for  the  bigger  part  of  it."  Colonel  Henry  Beekman  was  a  deacon  and  elder  in  the 
Reformed  Dutch  church,  and  judge  of  the  county  of  Ulster.  He  married  Janet,  the 
daughter  of  Robert  Livingston  (the  nephew  of  Robert  Livingston  the  first  of  the  name  in 
in  this  country)  and  his  wife,  Margaretta  Schuyler.  He  was  large-sized,  of  symmetrical 
figure,  manly  in  bearing,  with  a  handsome,  intelligent  face.  His  children  were,  1,  Henry, 
who  married  Margaret  Livingston  (children,  Robert,  Henry,  John,  Edward,  Janet,  Mar- 
garet, Alida,  Catharine,  Hannah)  ;  2,  Catharine,  who  married  Mr.  Paulding  of  Rhincbcck  j 
3,  Cornelia,  who  married  Gilbert  Livingston  (children  nine  sons  and  five  daughters)  ;  4,  Rob- 
ert ;  5,  Gilbert. 


CRUELTIES  OF  THE  FRENCH  AND  INDIAN  WAR.  417 


Graham  was  speaker.  More  harmony  was  obtained,  and  reasonable  sums 
were  raised  to  defray  the  debts  of  the  government.  Some  important  bills 
were  passed,  and  then  the  House  was  adjourned  until  October.  In  the 
interim  Fletcher  visited  Albany  and  conferred  with  the  Indians,  giving 
them  many  presents.  He  scolded  them  for  allowing  Count  Frontenac  to 
rebuild  the  fort  at  Cadaraqui,  but  commended  them  in  turn  for  having 
made  peace  with  one  of  the  remote  western  tribes  which  had  hitherto 
aided  the  French.  One  of  the  warriors  of  the  latter  tribe  had  been  cap- 
tured while  negotiating  the  treaty,  and  put  to  death  by  the  French  in 
the  most  shocking  manner.  He  was  tied  to  a  stake,  and  a  Frenchman 
broiled  the  flesh  of  his  legs  with  the  red-hot  barrel  of  a  gun.  A  furrow 
was  then  split  from  the  prisoner's  shoulder  to  his  garter,  and  filled  with 
gunpowder,  which  was  set  on  fire.  The  captors  danced  around  and 
filled  the  air  with  shouts  of  laughter.  When  the  poor  fellow's  strength 
began  to  fail  his  scalp  was  taken  off  and  hot  coals  of  fire  placed  upon  his 
skull.  He  was  then  untied  and  ordered  to  run  for  his  life.  He  reeled 
like  a  drunken  man,  and  started  in  an  easterly  direction ;  they  shut  up 
the  way  and  drove  him  to  the  west,  which  the  Indians  call  the  country 
of  departed  miserable  souls.  He  had  vitality  enough  left  to  throw  stones 
at  his  pursuers.  They  finally  put  an  end  to  his  misery  by  striking  him 
on  the  head.  After  this  every  one  cut  a  slice  from  his  body  and  con- 
cluded the  entertainment  with  a  feast.  The  Iroquois  immediately  served 
up  their  French  and  Indian  prisoners  in  a  similar  manner.  It  was  re- 
taliation and  it  was  re-retaliation.  The  cruelties  of  that  long  and  bloody 
warfare  are  beyond  the  power  of  language  to  describe.  Count  Frontenac 
finally  determined  to  carry  the  sword  into  the  very  midst  of  the  confed- 
erate tribes.  He  raised  an  army  which  was  so  large  and  extensive  that 
it  created  a  famine  throughout  Canada,  and  he  was  himself  carried  in  an 
easy-chair  directly  in  the  rear  of  the  artillery.  News  reached  New  York, 
and  recruits  were  hurried  off  to  the  help  of  the  Indians. 

When  the  Assembly  came  together  in  October  the  prospect  was  dark 
and  dubious.  The  people  had  been  paying  heavy  taxes  and  doing 
hard  duty  for  a  long  time  with  no  sign  of  peace.  The  neighboring  °  °  er' 
colonies  denied  assistance,  and  covered  and  protected  those  of  the  soldiers 
who  had  deserted ;  they  had  also  turned  to  their  own  account  both  trade 
and  people.  These  things  were  not  well  understood  in  England,  and  the 
governor,  council,  and  Assembly  finally  agreed  to  send  two  agents,  William 
Nicolls  and  Chidley  Brooke,  to  correctly  represent  the  case  to  the  king. 
They  sailed,  but  were  captured  by  the  French  on  their  voyage,  and  threw 
their  papers  and  letters  overboard.  They  lay  for  several  months  in  a 
Paris  prison,  and  it  was  a  long  time  before  they  reached  Whitehall. 
27 


418 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


While  New  York  was  in  speechless  fear  of  the  approaching  French 
army  at  the  North,  Livingston  at  the  English  Court  was  heaping  red-hot 
coals  of  fire  upon  the  head  of  Fletcher  himself.  He,  Livingston,  was  try- 
ing to  recover  money  which  he  claimed  to  have  advanced  to  the  govern- 
ment of  New  York  from  time  to  time  for  some  twenty  years  past.  He 
said  that  sums  which  had  been  raised  by  Act  of  the  Assembly  to  reim- 
burse him  had  been  misappropriated  by  Fletcher.  He,  moreover,  declared 
that  the  present  Assembly  had  been  illegally  elected.  He  preferred  so 
many  startling  accusations  against  the  governor  that  the  Lords  of  Trade 
took  the  matter  up  and  went  through  the  form  of  an  investigation. 

Philip  French  was  in  England,  and  testified  to  having  learned  (from 
hearsay)  that  Fletcher  had  threatened  to  pistol  any  man  who  dared  vote 
for  Peter  De  Lanoy ;  that  he,  French,  went  to  dine  with  Fletcher,  and 
asked  if  such  reports  were  true,  and  that  the  latter  did  not  deny  them, 
but  when  told  that  the  news  came  from  Colonel  De  Peyster,  angrily  ex- 
claimed, "  De  Lanoy  and  De  Peyster  are  both  rascals."  French  further 
testified  that  there  was  great  confusion  on  the  day  of  election,  and  that 
he  saw  many  soldiers  and  sailors,  with  clubs  in  their  hands,  about  the 
polls ;  and  that  there  was  much  talk  about  "  heats  in  the  Assembly  " 
concerning  public  money.  Captain  Kidd  testified  that  the  sheriff  of  New 
York  asked  him  to  let  his  crew  come  ashore  to  vote,  but  could  not  say 
that  it  was  by  the  governor's  order.  Other  sea-captains  swore  to  having 
been  asked  to  let  their  crews  come  ashore  to  vote,  but  no  one  could  swear 
that  it  was  by  the  governor's  order,  or  that  the  votes  were  actually  cast. 
Abraham  Gouverneur  and  Jacob  Leisler,  Jr.,  testified  that  Fletcher  hin- 
dered free  elections,  and  passed  soldiers  and  seamen  off  as  citizens ;  that 
the  latter  prowled  about  all  day  armed  with  clubs  and  staves :  and  that 
false  returns  were  brought  in  from  many  of  the  counties.  They  had  heard 
it  said  that  all  the  goldsmiths  in  New  York  were  employed  in  making 
snuff-boxes  and  other  plate  for  presents  to  the  governor;  also  that  the 
illegal  Assembly  had  raised  a  large  sum  of  money  and  sent  agents  to  Eng- 
land to  defend  their  actions.  Letters  were  read  from  Peter  De  Lanoy, 
Piobert  Walters,  and  others,  praying  for  the  recall  of  Fletcher;  they  said 
they  were  not  solicitous  whether  it  was  gently  done  or  whether  he  fell 
into  disgrace,  only  so  they  were  rid  of  him. 

The  Lords  of  Trade  were  wary  in  coming  to  conclusions  ;  after  consid- 
erable delay  Nicolls  and  Brooke  appeared  and  put  in  strong  counter-testi- 
mony. Gouverneur  and  Leisler  tried  to  impeach  them  by  showing  how 
they  had  been  instrumental  in  sending  two  heroes  to  the  gallows.  Fletch- 
er heard  in  course  of  events  of  the  charges  against  him,  and  denied  them 
so  utterly,  and  was  so  well  sustained  in  all  his  explanations  by  the  mem- 


THE  DE  PEYSTER  FAMILY. 


419 


bers  of  his  council,  and  seemed  to  have  labored  so  indefatigably  to  further 
the  interests  of  the  province  in  its  great  struggle  with  the  French,  that  he 
was  exonerated  from  blame  ;  and  but  for  a  new  complication  of  complaints 
would  have  been  undisturbed  in  his  position. 

Livingston  succeeded  in  collecting  his  claims  of  the  government,  and 
returned  to  New  York  as  a  commissioned  agent  for  the  Indians,  at  a  sala- 
ry, to  be  paid  by  the  province,  of  £130  per  annum.  Fletcher  was  in- 
dignant. He  said  there  was  no  need  of  this  new  office  which  Living- 
ston had  created  ;  that  it  was  an  additional  expense,  could  not  be  paid  as 
long  as  the  war  lasted,  and  that  all  treaties  would  be  negotiated  by  the 
governor  in  person  under  any  circumstances.  The  council  were  of  the 
same  opinion.  Fletcher  declared  that  Livingston  had  warped  the  judg- 
ment of  the  Lords  of  Trade  by  false  insinuations  ;  that,  instead  of  suffering 
by  his  loyalty  to  New  York,  he  had  been  abundantly  paid  by  fees  and 
percfuisites  for  his  services,  and  had  actually  made  a  fortune  out  of  his  em- 
ployment, never  disbursing  sixpence  but  with  the  expectation  of  twelve- 
pence  in  return ;  that  he  had  neither  religion  nor  morality,  and  only 
thirsted  to  get  rich,  aud  had  often  been  known  to  say  that  he  "  had  rather 
be  called  knave  Livingston  than  poor  Livingston."  He  was  an  alien,  too, 
born  of  Scotch  parents,  in  Rotterdam,  and  thus  disabled  from  executing 
any  business  of  trust  relating  to  the  Treasury  in  the  English  dominions 
according  to  a  late  Act  of  Parliament.  The  governor  and  council  met  the 
strong-willed  scion  of  nobility  with  the  most  determined  opposition ;  and 
finally  suspended  him  from  the  exercise  of  his  office  and  laid  the  matter 
before  the  king. 

The  year  1C95  was  eventful  in  city  improvements  as  well  as  political 
encounters.  Notwithstanding  all  the  inconveniences  of  war,  there  was 
a  healthy,  bustling  activity  among  the  people,  and  a  rapid  increase  of 
population.  There  was  more  money  in  circulation  than  ever  before,  and 
merchants  were  extending  their  commerce  and  growing  rich.  The  priva- 
teers and  pirates  whom  the  war  sustained  came  here  to  buy  provisions 
in  exchange  for  gold  and  valuable  commodities  from  the  East.  Many 
new  houses  and  stores  sprung  up,  aud  real  estate  suddenly  advanced. 

Colonel  Abraham  De  Peyster  built  a  palatial  mansion  on  Queen  Street, 
nearly  opposite  Pine.  It  was  fifty-nine  by  eighty  feet,  and  three  stories 
high.  It  had  a  great  double  door  in  the  center  of  the  front,  over  which 
was  a  broad  balcony  with  double-arched  windows.  This  balcony  was  for 
nearly  a  century  the  favorite  resort  of  the  governors  of  New  York  when 
they  wished  to  hold  military  reviews.  The  rooms  of  the  house  were 
immensely  large  (some  of  them  forty  feet  deep),  and  the  walls  and  ceil- 
ings were  handsomely  decorated.    The  furniture  was  all  imported,  aud 


420 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


was  elaborately  carved  and  very  costly.  The  grounds  occupied  the 
whole  block,  and  there  was  a  coach-house  and  stable  in  the  rear.  The 
style  of  life  of  the  family  was  the  same  as  that  of  the  European  gentry 
of  the  same  period.  They  indulged  in  elegant  hospitalities  and  costly 
entertainments ;  the  chief  people  of  the  city  and  province,  and  stately 
visitors  from  the  Old  World,  were  often  grouped  together  under  this  root. 
The  silverware  in  daily  use  upon  the  table  was  estimated  as  worth  about 
$  8,500,  and  the  most  of  it  was  of  exquisite  workmanship.  The  finest 
cut-glass  and  the  rarest  patterns  of  China  adorned  the 
quaint  and  massive  sideboard ;  and  the  walls  were  huug 
with  paintings  from  the  old  masters.  They  had  sixteen 
household  servants,  nine  of  whom  were  negro  slaves.  1  >e 
Peyster  owned  a  tract  of  land  on  the  north  of  Wall  Street 
east  of  Broadway  to  William  Street,  and  thence  toward 
the  river,  which  was  called  the  "Great  Garden  of  Colonel 
De  Peyster  Arms.  I-*e  Peyster,"  and  which  after  his  death  was  divided  into 
lots  and  partitioned  among  his  children. 
Of  the  sons  of  De  Peyster,  Abraham  figured  the  most  conspicuously  in 
public  affairs.  He  was  born  in  the  new  Queen  Street  mansion  in  1696.  He 
died  in  1767  at  the  age  of  seventy-one.  He  was  forty-six  years  treasurer  of 
the  province  of  New  York.  His  descendants  in  the  direct  line  represeut  this 
ancient  and  honorable  family  to-day.1  One  of  the  younger  sous,  Pierre 
Guillaume,  married  (in  1733)  Catharine  the  daughter  of  Arent  Schuyler; 
their  son,  Colonel  Arent  Schuyler  De  Peyster,  entered  the  military  service 

1  Abraham  de  Peyster,  Jr.,  married  Margaret,  eldest  daughter  of  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt 
and  Eve  Philipse  in  1722.  He  was  treasurer  of  the  province  from  June  2,  1721,  till  hia 
death  in  1767.  He  had  eleven  children,  several  of  whom  died  young.  James  was  the  eldest 
son  and  inherited  the  estate.  He  was  born  in  1726.  Frederic  (known  as  the  Marquis)  was 
born  in  1731  ;  he  succeeded  his  father  as  treasurer  of  the  province.  Catharine  married  John 
Livingston,  and  had  thirteen  children.  Margaret  married  Hon.  William  Axtell,  one  of  the 
king's  counselors.    Maria  married  Dr.  John  Charlton.    Elizabeth  married  Matthew  Clarkson. 

James  de  Peyster  married  (in  1748)  Sarah,  daughter  of  Hon.  Joseph  Reade,  one  of  the 
king's  counselors.  He  had  thirteen  children.  Frederic,  the  eldest  surviving  son,  married 
Helen,  only  daughter  of  Samuel  Hake  (claimant  of  the  title  of  Lord  Hake)  and  granddaughter 
of  Robert  Gilbert  Livingston.  She  died  in  1801,  and  he  afterwards  married  Ann,  only  daugh- 
ter of  Gerard  G.  Reekman  and  grand-daughter  of  Lieutenant-Governor  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt. 
Frederic,  the  son  of  Frederic  de  Peyster,  married  Mary  Justina,  the  daughter  of  Hon.  John 
Watts.  He  rose  to  eminence  at  the  bar  of  New  York,  and  has  ever  been  one  of  her  most 
public-spirited  citizens.  He  is  now  the  honored  President  of  the  New  York  Historical  So- 
ciety. His  only  son,  John  Watts  de  Peyster,  married  Estelle,  daughter  of  John  Swift  Living- 
ston. He  was  Rrevetted  Major-General  for  meritorious  services,  by  concurrent  Resolution  of 
the  New  York  Legislature,  in  1866  ;  and  has  achieved  a  world-wide  reputation  as  an  author 
and  military  historian. 


I 


TRINITY  CHUliCU. 


421 


in  1755,  and  held  a  royal  commission  for  more  than  half  a  century.  He 
commanded  at  Detroit  and  vicinity  during  the  most  stormy  period  of  the 
French  and  Indian  War,  and  contributed  largely  to  the  consolidation  of 
the  English  possessions.  His  wife  accompanied  him  everywhere,  in  camp 
and  in  quarters,  amid  savage  tribes  and  in  polished  communities.  His 
nephew  and  namesake,  in  one  of  his  voyages  round  the  world,  discovered 
the  De  Peyster  Islands  in  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

Of  the  daughters  of  De  Peyster,  Catharine  married  (in  1710)  Philip  Van 
Cortlandt,  son  of  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  and  second  lord  of  Cortlandt 
manor.  She  was  the  mother  of  Lieutenant-Governor  Pierre  Van  Cort- 
landt. Elizabeth  (whose  godmother  was  Mrs.  Governor  Fletcher,  in 
1694)  married  Governor  John  HamUton  of  New  Jersey.  Joanna,  born 
in  1701,  married  her  cousin  Isaac  De  Peyster. 

Fletcher,  in  his  zeal  for  the  good  of  the  church,  built  a  small  chapel  in 
the  fort  in  1693,  and  the  queen  sent  plate,  books,  and  other  furniture  for 
it.  It  was  burned  with  the  other  buildings  in  1741,  and  but  little  is 
known  of  its  history.  Eev.  John  Miller  was  the  Episcopal  clergyman. 
As  soon  as  the  Assembly  passed  the  act  for  establishing  a  ministry  in  the 
province,  he  demanded  induction  into  the  living;  but  it  was  decided  that 
he  was  not  entitled  to  it.  He  accordingly  sailed  for  England ;  while  on 
the  voyage  he  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  French,  and  threw  all  his  papers 
into  the  sea.  During  his  imprisonment  he  wrote  from  memory  a  descrip- 
tion of  New  York.  He  said  the  commerce  of  the  city  had  become  so 
extensive  that  forty  square-rigged  vessels,  sixty- two  sloops,  and  as  many 
boats  were  entered  at  the  Custom-House  at  one  time.1  The  chief  part  of 
his  little  work  was  devoted  to  a  labored  and  extraordinary  plan  for  civil  and 
ecclesiastical  government  on  a  new  basis.  This  clergyman  had  greatly 
stimulated  Fletcher  in  the  work  of  building  a  church  edifice,  and  had 
recommended  a  site.  But  Fletcher  had  his  eye  upon  the  "  King's  Farm," 
which  was  set  apart  for  the  use  of  the  governor ;  it  consisted  of  a  garden, 
an  orchard,  a  triangular  graveyard  in  one  corner,  and  pasturage  for  cows 
and  horses.  Andros  had  leased  that  portion  of  it  under  cultivation  for 
twenty  years,  at  sixty  bushels  of  wheat  per  annum.  As  the  lease  was 
about  expiring,  Fletcher  granted  it  to  the  use  of  the  church-wardens  for 
seven  years  without  fine.  A  building  was  at  once  projected  and  in  course 
of  a  few  months  was  completed.    A  charter,  bearing  date  May  6,  1697, 

1  The  manuscript  of  Rev.  John  Miller,  with  a  quaint  map  attached,  found  its  way  from 
the  archives  of  the  Bishop  of  London  to  the  library  of  George  Chalmers,  the  historian,  and 
finally  fell  into  the  hands  of  Thomas  Rodd,  a  London  bookseller,  who  published  it  in  1843. 
Since  then  the  original  manuscript  has  been  deposited  in  the  British  Museum.  The  city  was 
then  all  below  Wall  Street,  the  wall  remaining ;  also,  the  stone  bastions  at  Broadway  and 
William  Street. 


422 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


was  granted  by  an  act  of  the  Assembly,  approved  and  ratified  by  the  gov- 
ernor and  council,  by  which  "  a  certain  church  and  steeple  lately  built  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  together  with  a  parcel  of  ground  adjoining  "  (with 
full  description)  was  to  be  known  as  Trinity  Church.  The  wardens  and 
vestrymen  were  duly  named  and  constituted,1  and  with  the  Bishop  of 
London  for  their  rector,2  were  established  a  body  corporate  and  politic, 
with  all  the  privileges  and  powers  usually  pertaining  to  the  same. 

Up  to  that  time  the  Episcopal  service  had  been  performed  in  the  Dutch 
Church,  and  the  clergymen  of  the  two  denominations  had  lived  in  nil 
friendship.  But  Dominie  Selyns  was  uneasy  about  the  legal  condiL  m 
of  the  Dutch  organization,  and  feared  its  privileges  might  at  any  moment 
be  withdrawn.  He  and  his  consistory,  therefore,  applied  to  Fletcher  for 
a  charter.  It  was  granted,  prior  to  that  of  Trinity  Church  (May  11, 
1696),  and  indeed  was  the  first  church  charter  issued  in  the  colony.  It 
secured  the  independence  of  the  organization  by  giving  it  power  to  call 
its  ministers,  and  to  hold  property  acquired  by  gift  or  device.  It  also 
provided  for  compulsory  payment  of  church  rates  for  the  support  of 
the  gospel.  This  last  clause  was  never  enforced,  and  was  stricken  out 
altogether  as  inconsistent  with  the  principles  of  republican  government, 
when  the  State  Legislature  confirmed  the  charter  after  the  colonies  be- 
came a  nation.  Dominie  Selyns,  in  writing  to  the  Chassis  of  Amsterdam, 
said  that  there  were  several  English  ministers  in  the  rural  districts  about 
New  York  who  had  been  educated  in  New  England ;  that  the  University 
of  Cambridge  had  graduated  very  many  in  philosophy  and  the  higher 
studies.  He  said  that  the  French  minister  Dominie  Perret,  a  man  of 
great  learning,  officiated  in  New  York ;  that  Dominie  Brodet  had  been 
called  to  preach  to  the  Huguenots  in  New  Bochelle,  five  hours'  ride  from 
New  York;  and  that  Dominie  Daille  had  gone  to  Boston.  "Morals.'' 
continued  the  pious  and  accomplished  dominie,  "  have  much  degenerated, 
and  evil  practices  have  been  introduced  by  strangers  and  privateersmen. 
Our  calamities  spring  from  the  bottomless  pool  of  heaven-high  sins,  for- 
eign but  nevertheless  without  suspicion  of  foreigners.  Money  increases, 
high  houses  are  built,  and  land  is  made  in  the  water.  Since  I  came  the 
last  time  the  city  and  its  inhabitants  have  increased  more  than  two 
thirds." 

1  The  first  church-wardens  of  Trinity  Church  were  Thomas  Wcnham  and  Robert  Lurting  ; 
the  first  vestrymen,  Caleb  Heatheote,  William  Merritt,  John  Tudor,  James  Emott,  Wil- 
liam Morris,  Thomas  Clarke,  Ebcnezer  Wilson,  Samuel  Hurt,  James  Everts,  Nathaniel  Mars- 
ton,  Michael  Ilowden,  John  Crooke,  William  Sharpas,  Lawrence  Head,  David  JanYison,  Wil- 
liam Saddles  ton,  Gabriel  Ludlow,  Thomas  Merritt,  William  Janeway. 

2  The  appointment  of  the  Bishop  of  London  for  a  rector,  who  could  not  actually  perform 
the  duties,  was  a  temporary  arrangement  to  provide  tho  corporation  with  a  head.  Hook  of 
Patents,  VII.  25,  Secretary  of  State's  office. 


PIRACY. 


423 


Piracy  had  long  been  in  existence.  It  had  been  encouraged  rather 
than  otherwise  by  the  European  governments.  In  time  of  war  it  was 
agreeable  to  annoy  the  commerce  of  an  enemy  without  trouble  or  expense. 
Private  armed  vessels,  sometimes  licensed  and  sometimes  unlicensed, 
roved  the  seas  and  robbed  and  plundered  at  pleasure.  Many  of  these 
free-sailors  held  commissions  from  the  king  of  England  to  annoy  France. 
Presently  the  ships  of  all  nations  were  seized,  plundered  and  sunk  or 
burned,  not  excepting  those  of  Great  Britain  herself.  The  English  gov- 
ernment was  roused  only  when  ocean-commerce  seemed  nearly  destroyed. 

Just  at  this  moment  the  Leislerians  seized  hold  of  the  lever  which  fate 
seemed  to  have  ordained  for  the  complete  overturn  of  political  affairs  in 
New  York.  They  accused  Fletcher  of  conspiracy  with  the  pirates ;  that  is, 
they  declared  that  he  encouraged  and  protected  them.  He  had  in  com- 
mon with  the  practice  in  England  issued  commissions  for  sea-captains  to 
raise  men  and  act  as  privateers  against  the  French.  He  had  also  accepted 
bonds  and  promised  protection.  But  he  afterwards  denied  to  the  satis- 
faction of  the  Lords  of  Trade  having  ever  aided  in  such  manner  known 
pirates.  Meanwhile  the  evidence  of  commissions  found  in  the  possession 
of  the  high-handed  sea-robbers,  Coats,  Hoare,  Tew,  and  others,  was  used 
to  prove  his  complicity  in  their  crimes.  He  said  they  abused  the  favor 
shown  them  and  turned  pirates  afterwards.  He  admitted  his  knowledge 
of  the  fact  that  Tew  had  been  a  pirate  prior  to  his  acquaintance  with  him, 
but  said  that  the  latter  had  promised  not  to  engage  in  such  business  any 
more.  He  said  Tew  was  agreeable  and  companionable,  had  good  sense 
and  a  great  memory  ;  that  he  had  often  invited  him  to  his  table,  and  taken 
him  to  drive,  because  it  was  a  source  of  diversion  and  information  to 
converse  with  him.  He  said  he  had  it  in  his  heart  to  convert  Tew 
from  the  error  of  his  ways,  to  make  him  sober  and  reclaim  him  from  the 
"vile  habit  of  swearing."  He  had  presented  him  with  a  book  on  the 
subject ;  on  another  occasion  he  had  given  his  singular  guest  a  gun  of 
some  value.  Tew  had  seemed  grateful,  and  bestowed  in  return  a  curious 
watch  upon  the  governor.  Rumor  said  that  he  also  gave  valuable  jewels 
to  Mrs.  Fletcher  and  her  daughters.  But  this,  if  true,  was  never  proven. 
It  was,  however,  a  remarkable  intimacy ;  and  Tew  subsequently  pro- 
ceeded to  the  Indian  Ocean,  where,  harboring  himself  with  others  of  his 
craft  among  the  creeks  of  Madagascar,  he  plundered  and  murdered  until 
humanity  refuses  to  blot  the  pages  of  history  with  his  deeds. 

No  sooner  was  Fletcher  implicated  than  some  of  the  wealthiest  and 
hitherto  most  respectable  citizens  of  New  York  were  accused  of  sharing 
in  the  spoils  of  ocean  robbery.  Every  new  development  seemed  to 
justify  the  suspicion,    The  remarkable  influx  of  strangers,  the  increasing 


424 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


quantity  of  rich  goods  exposed  for  sale,  the  rapid  erection  of  expensive 
buildings,  and  the  free  circulation  of  Eastern  gold  pieces,  pointed  in  the 
one  direction.  * 

The  Lords  of  Trade  brought  the  startling  subject  before  the  king  as 
soon  as  he  was  capable  of  attending  to  business  after  the  death  of  Queen 
Mary.  It  was  some  months  before  any  action  was  taken,  and  then  not 
until  an  event  occurred  which  could  not  be  passed  by  unnoticed.  The 
pirates  had  destroyed  some  of  the  Mogul's  ships  in  the  Indian  Ocean,  one 
in  particular  that  he  was  sending  laden  with  presents  to  Mecca. 

The  East  India  Company  learned  that  the  Mogul  had  information  that 
the  corsairs  were  Englishmen,  and  also  that  he  M  as  about  to  take  reprisals 
for  damages.  A  man-of-war  must  unquestionably  be  sent  to  put  a  stop  to 
such  traffic.  But  Parliament  had  so  appropriated  the  nation's  funds  that 
no  money  coidd  be  obtained  for  the  purpose.  "We  can  make  it  a  pri- 
vate undertaking,"  said  King  William  to  his  counselors.  "I  will  give 
£3,000,  and  you  can  furnish  the  balance."  Lord  Somers  and  the  Earls 
of  Oxford,  Rumney,  and  Bellomont,  with  Robert  Livingston,  who  was  still 
at  court,  discussed  the  question,  and  finally  contributed  the  whole  amount, 
some  £6,000,  the  king  failing  to  advance  the  sum  which  he  had  prom- 
ised. Livingston  introduced  Captain  Kidd  to  Lord  Bellomont,  and  recom- 
mended him  as  a  fit  man  to  command  the  expedition.  Livingston  said 
Kidd  had  sailed  a  packet  from  New  York  to  London  for  some  years,  was 
known  to  be  honorable  and  brave,  was  well  acquainted  with  the  habits 
and  haunts  of  the  pirates  in  the  Eastern  seas,  and  was  ready  to  perform 
deeds  of  valor  for  the  good  of  the  country.  He  was  accordingly  employed, 
receiving  a  commission  from  the  Admiralty,  which  gave  him  power  sim- 
ply to  act  against  the  French.  It  was  not  deemed  sufficient,  and  another 
commission  was  finally  furnished  under  the  Great  Seal,  dated  January  26, 
1696,  giving  him  full  authority  to  apprehend  all  pirates  wherever  he  should 
encounter  them,  and  bring  them  to  trial.  Livingston  entered  into  bonds 
with  Kidd  to  Bellomont,  to  account  strictly  for  all  the  prizes  secured  ; 
and  a  grant  under  the  Great  Seal  provided  that  all  property  taken  from 
the  pirates  should  vest  in  the  parties  at  whose  cost  the  vessel  was  fitted 
out,  the  king  to  receive  one  tenth  of  the  proceeds.  There  was  abundant 
ground  for  complaint,  and  great  handle  was  made  of  the  arrangement,  for 
it  was  against  law  to  take  a  grant  of  goods  from  offenders  before  convic- 
tion. But  the  case  of  pirates  was  manifestly  different  from  that  of  other 
criminals.  They  could  never  be  attacked  except  in  the  way  of  war,  and 
whoever  undertook  such  an  enterprise  ran  a  great  risk,  and  it  was  reason- 
able that  they  should  have  a  right  to  what  they  should  find  in  the  enemy's 
hands,  whereas,  those  who  seize  common  offenders  have  the  strength  of 


CAPTAIN  KIDD. 


425 


the  law  within  immediate  reach,  and  incur  so  little  danger  that  the  cases 
are  by  no  means  parallel. 

Kidd  set  sail  in  April,  1696,  under  brilliant  auspices.  He  stopped  in 
New  York  and  shipped  ninety  additional  men,  and  in  July  was  fairly  at 
sea  on  his  fatal  mission.  The.  sequel  —  how,  instead  of  suppressing  piracy, 
he  became  the  prince  of  pirates,  and  nearly  involved  not  only  the  Lords  of 
Trade,  but  even  the  king  of  England  himself,  in  the  blackest  of  charges  — 
is  well  known.  The  undertaking  was  in  itself  innocent  and  meritorious. 
Yet  it  was  traduced  until,  in  the  House  of  Commons,  it  was  voted  as 
highly  criminal,  and  but  for  energetic  action  on  the  part  of  a  few,  would 
have  condemned  its  projectors  forever. 

Kidd  was  an  attractive  and  cultivated  man,  and  there  was  no  occasion 
to  distrust  his  intentions.  As  far  as  known  his  previous  life  had  been 
irreproachable.  He  had  a  comfortable  and  pleasant  home  in  Liberty 
Street,  New  York,  and  a  wife  beautiful,  accomplished,  and  of  the  highest 
respectability.  She  was  Sarah  Oort,  the  widow  of  one  of  his  fellow-offi- 
cers ;  they  were  married  in  1691,  and  at  the  time  of  his  departure  for  the 
Eastern  Ocean,  they  had  one  charming  little  daughter.  Many  supposed 
that  he  had  secret  orders  from  the  government  to  pursue  piracy.  But  the 
stain  upon  England's  records  did  not  prove  indelible. 

Dudley,  the  former  chief  justice  of  New  York,  was  in  London,  taking 
advantage  of  his  interest  at  court  to  obtain  the  governorship  of  Massachu- 
setts, Sir  William  Phipps  having  recently  died.  He  opposed  the  bill  to 
reverse  the  attainder  of  Leisler  and  Milborne  in  the  House  of  Commons 
with  all  his  strength,  which  was  not  inconsiderable.  The  agents  from 
Massachusetts  took  the  opportunity  in  consequence  to  urge  against  him 
the  conspicuous  part  he  had  borne  in  the  trial  and  condemnation  of  the 
unfortunate  men,  and  he  lost  his  appointment  for  the  time.  Bellomont 
was  the  favorite  candidate  henceforth.  When  it  became  evident  that 
Fletcher  must  be  recalled,  it  seemed  the  part  of  wisdom  to  appoint  one 
general  governor  over  New  York  and  New  England  for  convenience  during 
the  continuance  of  the  war.  At  the  same  time  each  colony  was  to  have 
an  Assembly  and  courts  independent  of  each  other.  Bellomont  had  been 
created  an  earl  by  William  as  a  reward  for  his  many  distinguished  ser- 
vices to  the  royal  pair ;  he  had  been  the  treasurer  and  receiver-general 
of  Mary,  and  the  personal  and  confidential  friend  of  the  king.  He  was 
esteemed  one  of  the  most  honest  as  well  as  able  men  about  the  throne. 
William  told  his  Lords  that  Bellomont  would  be  more  likely  to  put  a  stop 
to  piracy  than  any  other  man  he  could  think  of.  Bellomont  received  the 
appointment,  but,  owing  to  disputes  about  the  salaries  of  both  sovereign 
and  statesmen,  consequent  upon  the  financial  distress  of  the  kingdom  at 
that  juncture,  lit;  did  not  reach  his  government  for  more  than  two  years. 


426 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  XEW  YORK. 


The  year  1696  was  distinguished  by  the  repeal  of  the  Bolting  and  Bak- 
ing Acts  in  New  York,  which  had  added  so  many  coffers  to  the 
city's  purse.  The  mayor  and  common  council  resisted  to  the  last, 
but  all  to  no  purpose.  Commerce  in  bread  and  flour  was  thrown  open  to 
all  competitors.  An  alarming  scarcity  of  bread  soon  began  to  prevail. 
The  bakers  declared  they  could  not  buy  bread  cheap  enough  to  supply 
their  customers  at  former  prices.  An  account  of  stock  was  taken  of  the 
wheat,  flour,  and  bread  within  the  city,  and  only  about  a  week's  provision 
discovered  for  the  seven  thousand  inhabitants.  The  repeal  of  the  Bolting 
Act  had  enabled  the  farmers  throughout  the  country  to  grind  their  own 
flour,  and  it  had  been  sold  largely  to  the  pirates  as  a  private  speculation. 
A  famine  was  actually  threatened.  A  petition  was  signed  by  a  majority 
of  the  citizens,  and  despatched  to  the  king,  asking  for  a  restoration  of  the 
monopoly. 

The  first  opening  of  Nassau  Street  occurred  in  June.  Teunis  De 
Kay  successfully  petitioned  the  mayor  and  common  council  for 
the  privilege  of  making  a  cartway  through  "  the  street  tJiat  runs  by  the 
pie  woman's  leading  to  the  city  commons"  and  the  land  alongside  was  given 
to  him  as  a  compensation  for  his  labor.  About  the  same  time  the  corpor- 
ation of  the  city  of  New  York  appropriated  the  first  dollar  ever  expended 
upon  the  cleaning  of  the  streets.    The  amount  set  apart  was  £  20. 

The  following  spring  the  streets  were  first  lighted.    The  nov- 

169T 

elty  of  the  decree  issued  by  the  corporation  gives  it  a  peculiar 
flavor : — 

"  The  Board  taking  into  consideration  the  great  inconvenience  that  attends 
this  city,  for  want  of  lights  in  the  dark  time  of  the  moon,  in  the  winter  season, 
it  is  therefore  ordered  that  the  housekeepers  of  the  city  shall  put  out  lights  in 
the  following  manner,  viz,  every  seventh  house  shall  cause  a  lantern  with  a 
candle  in  it  to  be  hung  out  on  a  pole,  the  charges  to  be  defrayed  equally  by  the 
inhabitants  of  the  said  seven  houses." 

The  institution  of  the  first  night-watch  was  equally  characteristic  of 
the  times :  — 

"  Four  good  and  honest  inhabitants  of  the  city  shall  be  appointed  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  watch  in  the  night-time  from  the  hour  of  nine  in  the  evening  till 
break  of  day,  until  the  25th  of  March  next  ;  and  to  go  round  the  city  each  hour 
of  the  night  with  a  bell,  to  proclaim  the  season  of  the  weather,  and  the  hour  of  the 
night." 

.      The  arrival  of  Lord  Bellomont  was  the  weat  event  of  the  spring 

1698.  °  r  o 

of  1698.1    He  arrived  on  the  2d  of  April.    He  was  met  at  the 


1  Richard  Coote,  Earl  of  Bellomont  and  Baron  of  Coloony,  was  the  son  of  Sir  Richard 


THE  EARL  OF  BELLOMONT. 


427 


wharf  by  prominent  gentlemen  from  both  political  parties,  and  crowds 
of  people.  The  corporation  burned  four  barrels  of  gunpowder  in 
their  salute  of  welcome.  He  went  through  the  usual  forms  of  Apri12' 
publishing  his  commission,  and  that  of  his  lieutenant-governor,  John 
Nanfan,  a  cousin  of  Lady  Bellomont,  who  had  crossed  the  ocean  with 
them ;  and  then  the  new  governor  administered  the  oaths  to  the  members 
of  the  executive  council,  who  were  continued  without  change. 

A  pretentious  dinner  was  given  to  Bellomont  by  the  corporation,  ac- 
cording to  the  ancient  custom.2  Johannes  De  Peyster  was  the  mayor,  and 
he  could  preside  over  a  banquet  with  as  much  grace  as  his  distinguished 
brother  Abraham.  A  loyal  address  had  been  prepared  which  greatly 
pleased  the  new  executive,  and  he  was  delightfully  affable  to  everybody. 

Bellomont  was  a  genuine  nobleman.  He  was  also  a  master  of  the  art 
of  politeness,  and  knew  how  to  make  even  the  commonest  man  or  woman 
feel  that  they  were  the  objects  of  his  special  regard.  He  was  of  attrac- 
tive, commanding  presence,  large-sized,  somewhat  above  the  ordinary 
height,  with  finely  shaped  and  well-poised  head,  a  face  stamped  with  iron 
firmness,  dark,  magnetic,  kindly,  expressive  eyes,  and  small,  soft  white 
hands.  His  voice  was  low  and  musical,  but  capable  of  great  modulation. 
No  one  could  tell  a  story  with  more  humor,  or  enjoy  a  hearty  laugh  better 
than  he.  And  yet  he  was  not  cheerful  as  a  rule,  and  his  countenance 
was  apt  to  wear  an  expression  of  painful  thought.  It  was  only  at  rare 
intervals  that  vivacity  sparkled  forth  like  foaming  nectar,  and  then  it 
walls  so  charming  that  the  memory  of  it  remained  whatever  clouds  fol- 
lowed. He  bore  himself  with  a  certain  dignity  that  was  much  admired. 
He  sat  in  his  saddle  with  an  ease  which  equestrians  tried  in  vain  to  imi- 
tate. His  dress  was  a  model  of  elegance  and  good  taste,  and  it  was  a 
matter  which  no  mental  disturbance  ever  induced  him  to  neglect.  His 
table  was  filled  with  the  choicest  viands,  and  it  was  served  with  as  much 
ceremony  as  William's  own.    His  equipage  was  magnificent. 

Coote,  who  on  the  restoration  of  Charles  II.  was  made  a  peer  of  the  realm  with  the  title  of 
Baron  of  Coloony.  The  family  is  of  Frenc  h  extraction,  and  settled  originally  in  Devonshire. 
From  a  branch  of  the  family,  which  afterwards  possessed  large  estates  in  Norfolk  and  Suffolk, 
those  of  Ireland  are  descended.  Lodges  Irish  Peerage,  I.  299.  History  of  Ireland,  II.  83  ; 
III.  145.  Niehols's  Irish  Comp.,  1735.  Upon  the  death  of  the  elder  Baron  of  Coloony,  July 
16,  1683,  Richard  succeeded  to  his  titles  and  estates.  In  March,  1689,  he  was  one  of  the  first 
to  espouse  the  cause  of  the  Prince  of  Orange,  and  was  soon  after  appointed  treasurer  and  re- 
ceiver-general to  Queen  Mary.  William  advanced  him  to  the  dignity  of  the  Earl  of  Bello- 
mont. He  married  in  1660  Catharine,  daughter  and  heiress  of  John  Nanfan  of  Birch  Morton, 
and  had  two  sons,  Nanfan  and  Richard,  who  successively  inherited  their  father's  titles.  Sketch 
'of  the  Earl  of  Bellomont  by  Moore,  in  Stryker's  American  Quarterly  Register.  Vol.  I.  434. 

z  One  hundred  and  fifty  persons  dined  with  the  new  governor  on  this  occasion,  the  bill 
of  fare  embracing  venison,  turkey,  chicken,  goose,  pigeon,  duck,  and  other  game,  mutton, 
beef,  lamb,  veal,  pork,  sausages,  with  pastry,  puddings,  cakes,  and  the  choicest  of  wines. 


428  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


He  was  sixty-two  years  of  age,  but  might  easily  have  passed  for  fifty. 
Lady  Bellomont  was  much  younger,  as  he  had  married  her  when  she  was 
only  twelve.  He  was  very  fond  as  well  as  very  proud  of  her.  A  series 
of  stately  dinner-parties  were  given  by  the  leading  New  York  families, 
and  the  first  few  w  eeks  of  their  American  life  were  more  pleasant  than 
any  which  ever  came  afterwards. 

Bellomont  had  from  his  youth  up  been  accustomed  to  see  power  con- 
stantly associated  with  pomp,  and  found  it  difficult  to  believe  that  the 
substance  existed  unless  people  were  dazzled  by  the  trappings.  Preju- 
dice, not  vanity,  was  his  besetting  sin.  He  took  his  measure  of  men  with 
the  eye  instead  of  the  rule,  and  was  as  sincere  in  his  friendship  as  he  was 
inflexible  in  his  aversions.  He  had  a  sound  heart,  honorable  sympathies, 
and  an  honest  desire  to  do  justice  to  the  oppressed.  But  he  formed  opin- 
ions too  hastily,  and  they  were  the  result  of  impulse  rather  than  reason. 
They  were  apt  to  be  colored  by  the  first  hearing  of  a  case.  Thus  the 
good  he  might  have  done  was  warped  and  defeated.  And  he,  instead  of 
preserving  a  steady  mean  between  the  two  great  party  extremes,  was  car- 
ried swiftly  into  the  political  whirlpool.  He  indulged  in  the  most  impla- 
cable antipathy  towards  Fletcher,  even  long  before  he  crossed  the  ocean. 
He  had  listened  to  the  aspersions  cast  upon  the  character  of  the  latter  by 
the  Leislerians  at  the  court  of  William,  and  had  never  doubted  the  truth 
of  the  same.  He  came  prepared  to  pronounce  wholesale  condemnation 
upon  all  the  acts  of  his  predecessor.  Evidence  was  an  after  consideration 
in  his  mind.  It  would  have  been  the  part  of  wisdom  to  have  sifted  the 
grains  of  fact  from  the  vast  amount  of  fiction,  but  Bellomont  was  as  pre- 
cipitate as  he  was  sincere. 

The  hopes  of  the  Leislerians  were  greatly  stimulated  by  his  appoint- 
ment, for  he  had  openly  declared  in  England  that  in  his  opinion  the 
execution  of  Leisler  was  a  judicial  murder.  His  ears  were  consequently 
filled  at  once  with  exaggerated  complaints.  And  things  certainly  had 
a  singular  look.  Trade  seemed  to  be  traveling  on  a  tangent.  Arabian 
gold  and  East  India  goods  were  everywhere  common.  New  York  was 
getting  rich  at  a  most  extraordinary  rate. 

Bellomont  with  characteristic  conscientiousness  charged  all  irregulari- 
ties to  the  account  of  his  predecessor,  and  then  set  about  overturning  the 
stones  which  hid  the  pool  of  corruption.  It  was  not  so  easy  to  prove  as 
to  guess  who  had  been  immersed  within  it.  He  discovered  something 
akin  to  green  mould  hanging  from  the  garments  of  several  of  the  landed 
lords,  who  represented  the  aristocratic  party.  The  members  of  his  council 
were  reticent,  and  he  soon  learned  that  they  were  meeting  daily  at  the 
lodging!  of  Fletcher,  who  had  not  yet  sailed  for  England.    They  were 


BELLOMONTS  REFORMS. 


429 


owners  of  merchant-vessels,  —  at  least  many  of  them  were,  —  and  their 
friendship  for  Fletcher  had  an  aroma  of  complicity.  Besides,  they  did 
not  come  up  manfully,  in  the  eyes  of  the  new  executive,  to  his  assistance 
when  he  attempted  to  enforce  the  laws  of  trade,  and  some  of  them  ex- 
pressed surprise '  that  they  must  needs  have  such  an  unexpected  dis- 
turbance. 

Fletcher  was  quite  determined  to  have  his  accounts  with  the  govern- 
ment audited  before  he  departed,  that  he  might  take  his  proofs  and  vouch- 
ers to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  as  he  was  confident  that  he  could  clear  himself 
from  all  the  charges  which  had  been  made  against  him.  He  said  that 
after  having  held  commission  under  the  Crown  of  England  for  thirty-five 
years  without  the  least  reproach  or  impeachmeut  of  his  reputation,  he  did 
not  think  he  "  should  become  a  castaway  in  the  rear  of  his  days." 

Bellomont  had  been  in  New  York  scarcely  three  weeks  before  he 
issued  a  writ  of  restitution  to  put  Leisler's  and  Milborne's  families  in  pos- 
session of  their  estates,  which  had  hitherto  been  a  tardy  process  through 
various  obstacles.  It  created  a  popular  tumult,  for  the  property  had 
passed  through  several  hands,  and  innocent  parties  were  obliged  to  vacate 
houses  and  stores  to  which  they  held  title-deeds  obtained  in  good  faith. 
But  a  still  greater  excitement  was  caused  by  the  seizure  of  ships  and 
goods  under  the  new  administration.  Chidley  Brooke  was  the  collector 
of  customs  and  receiver-general.  He  was  a  blood  relative  and  had  been 
brought  up  in  the  home  of  the  father  of  Bellomont.  His  first  employ  in 
the  government  had  been  through  the  influence  of  the  late  Baron  of 
Coloony.  Bellomont  treated  him  haughtily,  however,  and  in  the  execu- 
tion of  his  duties,  now  more  sharply  defined  than  ever,  granted  him  no 
quarter.  He  ordered  him  to  seize  a  cargo  of  East  India  goods,  and  be- 
came very  angry  when  Brooke  showed  a  disposition  to  hold  back  by 
declaring  that  it  was  not  his  business,  and  that  he  had  no  boat  with 
which  to  visit  the  vessel.  He  was  compelled  to  obey  orders  finally,  but  he 
delayed  the  accomplishment  of  the  task  for  some  clays,  and  then  captured 
only  a  small  portion  of  what  the  ship  contained,  the  remainder  being 
secreted.  Bellomont  was  in  high  temper,  but  the  merchants  outrivalled 
him  in  that  particular,  and  almost  raised  a  mutiny  over  his  proceedings; 
he  was  enraged  at  Brooke  for  what  he  styled  "  negligence  "  in  allowing 
unlawful  trade  to  get  such  headway,  and  said  it  would  cost  so  much  more 
trouble  now  to  put  it  down. 

Meanwhile  the  stories  about  Fletcher  were  thriving  in  New  York  as 
well  as  England.  It  was  said  in  connection  with  his  having  issued 
commissions  to  piratical  commanders,  that  he  had  received  large  sums 
of  money  for  protecting  pirates  whenever  they  chose  to  land  in  New 


430 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


York  to  dispose  of  their  spoils.  It  was  said  that  one  pirate  had  given  him 
a  ship  which  he  had  sold  for  £  8,000  to  Caleb  Heatheote.  It  was  also 
currently  reported  that  the  great  merchant-vessels  of  New  York,  which 
went  to  Madagascar  for  negroes,  bought  goods  of  the  pirates,  and  that  the 
owners  of  those  vessels  had  money  interest  in  the  pirate  vessels.  There 
was  no  end  to  the  gossip.  William  Nicolls  was  charged  with  having 
been  Fletcher's  chief  broker  in  the  matter  of  protections,  and  the 
place  of  rendezvous  where  he  had  often  held  interviews  with  piratical 
captains  on  the  Long  Island  shore  was  confidently  pointed  out  to 
Bellomont.  The  earl  never  gave  the  question  the  benefit  of  a  doubt. 
With  swift  impetuosity  he  suspended  his  counselor  without  even  a  hear- 
ing in  his  own  defense.  Then  he  wrote  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  under  date 
of  May  8,  1698:  — 

"  Colonel  Nicolls  ought  to  be  sent  with  Colonel  Fletcher  a  criminal  prisoner 
to  England  for  trial,  but  the  gentlemen  of  the  council  are  tender  of  him,  as  lie  is 
connected  by  marriage  to  several  of  them,  and  I  am  prevailed  upon  to  accept 
£  2,000,  for  his  appearance  here  when  demanded.  He  is  a  man  of  good  sense 
and  knowledge  in  the  law,  but  has  been  a  great  instrument  and  contriver  of 
unjust  and  corrupt  practices." 

Bellomont  dissolved  Fletcher's  late  Assembly  and  issued  writs  for  a 
new  one.  The  election  stirred  up  the  old  feud,  but  the  Leislerians 
through  the  country  were  as  yet  not  fairly  awake  to  this  possible  deliver- 
ance and  did  not  win  a  majority  in  the  House.  The  new  Assembly  met 
as  early  as  possible,  and  Philip  French  was  chosen  speaker.  Bellomont's 
opening  address  was  a  review  of  the  condition  of  public  affairs.  .  His 
legacy,  he  said,  was  a  divided  people,  an  empty  purse,  a  few  miserable, 
half-starved,  naked  soldiers,  ragged  fortifications,  a  tumble-down  gov- 
ernor's house,  and,  in  short,  a  whole  government  out  of  frame.  The 
prospect  was  certainly  anything  but  cheerful.  Bellomont  said  he  should 
pocket  none  of  the  people's  money,  and  all  his  accounts  should  be  fur- 
nished for  inspection  when  and  as  often  as  desired.  He  declared 
against  free  elections,  against  piracy,  against  illegal  trade,  against  dis- 
orders of  whatever  nature,  and  in  favor  of  reducing  the  salaries  of  the 
officers  of  the  government.  He  said  the  revenue  which  had  been  raised 
for  five  years  was  nearly  expiring  aud  must  be  renewed.  He  said  that 
immediate  provision  must  be  made  to  pay  the  debts  of  the  government. 

Until  now  the  Assembly  had  consisted  of  nineteen  members.  Bello- 
mont warmly  advocated  the  passage  of  a  lull  to  increase  the  number  to 
thirty,  and  to  provide  against  the  abuses  attending  elections.  It  created 
so  much  ill-natured  discussion  that  no  other  business  was  attempted  for 


THE  ACTS  OF  TRADE. 


431 


a  month,  and  finally  six  of  the  members  seceded  from  the  Assembly 
altogether.  The  only  thing  which  had  really  been  accomplished  was  an 
address  to  the  king,  and  Bellomont  dissolved  the  body  in  disgust. 

The  trouble  with  the  merchants  grew  into  such  proportions,  and  it  be- 
came so  necessary  to  have  officers  who  would  execute  justice  promptly, 
that  Bellomont  peremptorily  dismissed  Brooke  from  all  his  positions,  and 
appointed  Hon.  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  with  Mr.  Monsay,  searcher  of 
customs,  to  act  as  commissioners  until  a  new  receiver-general  should 
receive  the  sanction  of  the  king.  Two  or  three  days  afterwards  some 
goods  were  to  be  seized,  and  each  of  three  constables  who  were  sent  for  in 
turn  to  perform  the  duty  was  missing.  A  report  was  communicated  to 
Bellomont  the  same  afternoon,  to  the  effect  that  the  sheriff  himself  was 
concerned  in  the  receipt  of  some  East  India  goods,  and  that  a  large  quan- 
tity was  concealed  in  his  house.  The  earl  sprang  to  his  feet  and  sent 
an  order  to  Mr.  Monsay  and  Mr.  Everts  to  seize  them  at  once.  They 
entered  the  sheriff's  house  without  opposition,  but  while  they  were  pack- 
ing the  goods  for  removal  to  the  Custom-House,  the  doors  were  locked 
upon  them,  leaving  them  prisoners  in  a  close,  unventilated  garret,  where 
they  were  obliged  to  remain  until  they  were  nearly  stifled.  It  was  nine 
o'clock  in  the  evening  before  Bellomont  heard  of  their  incarceration.  He 
at  once  sent  his  own  servants  with  three  files  of  soldiers,  who  broke  in 
the  doors  and  liberated  the  gentlemen. 

The  next  day  Mr.  Monsay  was  called  upon  to  seize  more  goods,  but  he 
declined  to  serve  longer  in  that  vocation.  Bellomont  was  surprised,  for 
Monsay  had  been  searcher  of  the  customs  for  six  years,  and  this  late  office 
advanced  him  an  extra  £  200  in  the  way  of  salary.  Brooke  was  accused 
of  having  influenced  Monsay.  But  as  the  latter  could  not  be  persuaded 
to  come  in  collision  again  with  the  angry  merchants,  who  had  threatened 
his  life,  the  son  of  Sir  George  Hungerford,  another  relative  of  the  Earl, 
was  appointed  in  his  place. 

William  Pinhorne  disapproved  of  Bellomont's  arbitrary  proceedings, 
particularly  in  regard  to  the  merchants,  and  took  occasion  to  express  his 
opinions  in  strong  language.  He  was  immediately  removed  from  the 
council  by  the  governor,  on  the  ground  of  iiaving  used  disrespectful 
words  against  the  king.  He  retired  to  his  plantation  near  Snake  Hill 
on  the  Hackinsack  River,  and  was  appointed  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court 
in  New  Jersey,  and  a  member  of  the  governor's  council  in  that  State. 

A  record  of  the  various  encounters  of  Bellomont  in  his  efforts  to  en- 
force the  Acts  of  Trade  would  fill  a  volume.    He  wrote  to  the  king  :  — 

"  I  am  obliged  to  stand  entirely  upon  my  own  legs,  my  assistants  hinder  me, 
the  people  oppose  me,  and  the  merchants  threaten  me.  It  is  indeed  uphill 
work." 


432  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


That  such  was  the  case  is  no  matter  of  wonder.  Those  Acts  of  Trade 
were  despotic  in  their  nature  and  contradictory  to  the  rights  of  humanity. 
Tliey  were  everywhere  evaded.  New  York  was  not  alone.  The  city  had 
become  a  nest  of  pirates,  it  is  true,  but  it  was  the  English  nation  which  fed 
and  fostered  them.  Piracy  did  not  originate  in  New  York.  The  place 
was  simply  chosen  on  account  of  its  central  geographical  position,  and  its 
nearness  to  the  open  sea.  A  brief  review  of  the  Acts  of  Trade  will  enable 
the  reader  to  better  judge  why  no  voice  of  conscience  declared  their  vio- 
lation a  moral  offense,  and  how  respect  for  them  resolved  itself  into  a 
mere  calculation  of  chances ;  it  is  to  be  taken  into  account  also  that  New 
York  was  a  city  chiefly  of  aliens,  owing  allegiance  to  England  and  to 
other  European  powers,  and  without  the  bonds  of  common  history  or 
tongue. 

No  commodities  might  be  imported  into  any  British  settlement  in  Asia, 
Africa,  or  America,  or  exported  thence,  but  in  vessels  built  in  England  or 
in  her  colonial  plantations,  and  navigated  by  crews  of  which  the  master 
and  three  fourths  of  the  sailors  were  English  subjects.  The  penalty 
was  forfeiture  of  ship  and  cargo.  No  one  but  a  natural-born  subject  of  the 
English  crown  or  person  legally  naturalized  could  exercise  the  occupa- 
tion of  merchant  or  factor  in  any  English  colonial  settlement.  No  sugar, 
tobacco,  cotton,  wool,  indigo,  ginger,  or  dye-stuffs  produced  in  the  colonies 
should  be  shipped  from  them  to  any  oilier  country  than  England,  and 
ship-owners  were  required  at  the  port  of  lading  to  give  bonds  with 
security  proportioned  to  tonnage.  The  prohibited  articles  were  tailed 
enumerated,  and  as  soon  as  any  new  articles  were  brought  into  notice 
through  the  ingenuity  and  industry  of  the  colonists,  they  were  added  to 
the  list.  It  forbade  also  the  importation  of  any  European  articles  into 
the  colonies  save  in  vessels  laden  in  England  and  navigated  as  above.  It 
was  the  policy  of  nations  to  keep  the  trade  of  colonies  confined  to  the 
1  .a  rent  country.  Charles  II.  imposed  a  tax  of  five  percent  on  all  goods 
imported  into  or  exported  from  any  of  the  dominions  of  the  crown.  Par- 
liament went  a  step  farther  and  taxed  the  trade  which  one  colony  carried 
on  with  another. 

The  peace  of  Ryswick  had  interrupted  hostilities  between  the  French 
and  English,  but  Count  Frontenac  was  still  pursuing  the  Iroquois  with 
unabated  vigor.  Pelloinont  sent  two  agents,  Captain  John  Schuyler  and 
Dominic  Dellius,  to  Montreal  to  confer  with  the  French  commander.  The 
latter  claimed  that  the  Iroquois  were  French  not  English  subjects  and  be 
must  bring  them  to  terms.  An  interest  ing  controversy  at  once  ensued. 
Bellomont  took  a  very  high  and  arrogant  tone  in  bis  correspondence,  and 
Count  Frontenac  was  equally  resolute  and  opinionated.     Bellomont,  al- 


CONTENTION  IN  THE  COUNCIL. 


433 


though  seriously  ill  with  the  gout,  hurried  to  Albany  to  meet  the  Indians 
themselves.  Before  any  settlement  was  reached  in  the  matter  the  Count 
died  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy. 

When  Bellomont  returned  to  New  York  he  found  the  gentlemen  of  his 
council  sullen  and  estranged.  He  invited  them  to  dine  with  him,  and 
fancied  he  detected  signs  of  displeasure  when  he  drank  the  king's  health, 
as  was  his  custom.  He  made  a  lame  effort  to  conciliate  the  merchants, 
who  were  grumbling  more  loudly  than  ever,  by  giving  them  a  general 
invitation  to  come  to  his  dinner-table  at  any  time ;  but  they  never  came. 
Brooke  had  gone  to  England  to  obtain  redress  for  his  grievances.  He  had 
sailed  during  the  governor's  absence  in  Albany,  and  had  been  visited  by 
great  numbers  of  prominent  persons  before  his  departure,  and  crowds  of 
people  attended  him  to  the  vessel.  Bellomont  discovered  that  petitions 
had  been  extensively  signed,  asking  for  his  recall,  and  sent  by  Brooke  to 
Whitehall. 

The  great  bone  of  contention  in  the  council  was  piracy.  All  were 
agreed  in  the  necessity  for  its  suppression.  But  as  to  its  actual  extent 
there  was  a  vast  difference  of  opinion.  Bellomont  was  informed  that 
Colonel  Bayard  had  assisted  Fletcher  in  giving  jirotection  to  pirates.  He 
proclaimed  it  with  emphasis.  He  also  startled  his  associates  by  making 
known  his  suspicions  in  regard  to  several  others  among  their  number,  who 
had  unquestionably  been  concerned  in  the  encouragement  of  depredations 
upon  the  sea.  The  retort  was  in  the  very  nature  of  things  inevitable.  It 
was  now  well  known  that  Captain  Kidd  had  raised  the  black  flag ;  and 
the  possible  complicity  of  Bellomont  himself  was  on  men's  lips  all  over 
the  world.  The  iron  entered  the  noble  soul.  But  the  Earl  would  not 
allow  any  such  misrepresentations  to  come  between  him  and  the  execu- 
tion of  what  lie  considered  his  duty.  He  was  trying  to  purify  a  corrupt 
government,  ami  suspected  men  must  not  be  allowed  to  stand  in  high 
places.  He  therefore  proceeded  to  remove  Colonel  Bayard,  Gabriel  Min- 
vielle,  Thomas  Willett,  Richard  Townley,  and  John  Lawrence  from  the 
council.    The  following  morning  Frederick  Philipse  resigned. 

The  excitement  was  intense.  Rumor  distorted  facts,  and  the  displaced 
gentlemen  were  accredited  with  the  darkest  deeds.  A  beautiful  diamond 
worn  by  Mrs.  Bayard  was  said  to  have  been  taken  from  the  finger  of  an 
Arabian  princess,  and  romance  quickly  wove  the  story  into  a  bloody 
murder.  It  was  reported  to  have  been  the  price  paid  to  Bayard  for  ob- 
taining the  murderer's  protection.  It  was  for  a  time  currently  believed 
that  Minvielle  possessed  a  large  box  of  Arabian  gold  pieces  obtained  in  a 
similar  manner.  John  Lawrence  was  said  to  have  often  entertained  the 
freebooters  at  his  house  on  Long  Island.    Frederick  Philipse  was  the 

28 


434 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  SEW  YORK. 


subject  of  much  speculation.  He  owned  several  great  merchant-vessels, 
and  it  was  said  that  three  or  lour  were  coming  in  from  Madagascar  laden 
with  jewels  and  costly  wares ;  and  that  his  son  Adolphe  Philipse  had 
gone  out  in  a  small  ship  to  meet  them  and  conceal  the  treasures.  This 
last  story  was  the  only  one  which  had  any  tangible  foundation.  Adolphe 
Philipse  did  go  out  as  reported,  though  his  object  was  never  made  known. 
When  the  vessels  were  at  last  entered,  the  depositions  of  the  crew  sub- 
stantiated the  original  statement  of  Philipse  that  the  goods  had  been 
bought  at  low  prices  from  African  traders  instead  of  pirates. 

Bellomont  wrote  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  in  reference  to  the  changes 
made  in  the  council,  without  repeating  the  charges  which  he  had  so  im- 
pulsively preferred.  He  said  that  Townley  lived  in  East  Jersey  and 
never  came  to  the  meetings ;  that  Philipse  resigned  on  account  of  his 
great  age,  being  seventy-two  years  old ;  that  Lawrence  was  also  super- 
annuated, being  eighty-two  years  of  age ;  and  that  the  other  gentlemen 
were  disposed  to  promote  illegal  trade.  David  Jamison,  the  clerk  of  the 
council,  was  removed  because  of  grave  impertinence,  and  the  governor  in 
excusing  such  a  stringent  course,  said  that  Jamison  had  once  been  con- 
demned to  the  gallows  in  Scotland  for  blasphemy  and  burning  the  Bible, 
but  in  mitigation  of  the  sentence  had  been  transported  to  America; 
and,  also,  that  he  had  two  wives,  —  one  left  behind  him,  and  one  in  New 
York. 

The  new  counselors  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancies  were  Robert  Living- 
ston, Colonel  Abraham  De  Peyster,  Thomas  Weaver,  Dr.  Samuel  Staats, 
and  Robert  Walters.1  Bellomont  had  reviewed  Fletcher's  action  against 
Livingston  and  reinstated  the  latter  in  all  his  offices.  The  Leislerian 
faction  were  thus  in  the  ascendant  in  the  council,  and  the  whole  party 
took  courage.  Some  went  so  far  as  to  broach  the  subject  of  demanding 
a  retrospect  of  all  the  events  and  quarrels  during  the  period  of  the 
Revolution. 

On  the  other  hand,  Colonel  Bayard  Was  so  indignant  with  the  treat- 
ment which  he  had  received,  that  he  made  a  voyage  to  England  at  once, 
and  personally  laid  the  subject  before  the  Lords  of  Trade  and  the  king. 
William  Nicolls  stood  guard  over  party  interests  in  New  York.  Clubs 
and  "  cabals  "  were  held  at  stated  intervals,  and  an  uneasy  time  it  was 
for  the  governor.    The  latter  came  into  collision  with  William  Brad- 

1  Dr.  Samuel  Staats  married,  while  holding  aome  appointment  in  India  obtained  for  him 
by  William  of  Orange,  an  East  Indian  "Begum"  or  princess,  with  whom  and  his  children 
he  returned  to  Holland  and  thence  to  New  York.  His  daughter  Catharine  married  Lewis 
Morris,  and  was  the  mother  of  the  celebrated  Staats  Long  Morris.  Oouverncur  Kemble  ; 
New  York  Genealogical  and  Biographical  Record,  January,  1876,  p.  17. 


JAMES  GRAHAM. 


435 


ford,  who  was  printing  for  the  government,  and  high  words  many  times 
ensued.  Bradford's  salary  was  cut  down  in  the  general  reduction  of  gov- 
ernmental expenses,  and  he  several  times  told  the  Earl  he  might  do  his 
own  printing. 

Bellomont,  from  all  he  could  learn,  was  convinced  that  much  of  the 
wealth  of  the  New  York  aristocracy  had  been  dishonorably  obtained. 
The  enormous  landed  estates  haunted  his  mind.  Small  men  could  not 
obtain  a  foothold  in  the  province.  Every  acre  of  government  land  had 
been  granted  away  to  feudal  lords ;  in  many  instances,  in  tracts  from 
twenty  to  forty  miles  square.  It  had  a  ruinous  outlook.  He  finally 
leveled  a  fierce  blow  at  the  great  landholders  by  an  attempt  to 'break 
all  existing  grants,  and  the  shaping  of  a  bill,  which  should  be  approved  in 
England,  to  prohibit  any  one  person  from  holding  over  one  thousand  acres 
under  any  circumstances. 

Meanwhile  a  new  Assembly  was  in  contemplation.  For  months  prior 
to  the  election,  the  country  was  canvassed  by  conspicuous  leaders 
of  both  parties.  They  rode  night  and  day,  defied  cold  and  fatigue,  16"' 
and  encountered  snow-storms  and  freshets.  William  Nicolls  slept  more 
than  once  under  a  haystack,  and  Eobert  Walters  twice  swam  a  swollen 
stream  when  the  ice  was  breaking.  Bellomont  removed  the  sheriffs  in 
the  different  counties,  and  appointed  new  ones,  such  as  leaned  towards 
the  party  which  he  represented,  in  their  stead.  The  struggle  was  the 
sharpest  ever  known  at  that  time  in  America.  In  many  places  on 
the  day  of  election  there  was  fighting  and  broken  heads  at  the  polls. 
The  Leisleriaus  were  victorious.  When  some  one  said  to  Bellomont,  "  The 
new  members  all  seem  to  be  Englishmen,"  he  replied  with  a  sarcastic 
smile,  "  There  is  Johannes  Kip,  Rip  Van  Dam,  and  Jacobus  Van  Cort- 
landt !  Their  names  speak  Dutch,  and  the  men  scarcely  speak  English." 
Johannes  De  Peyster  and  Jeremias  Van  Rensselaer  were  also  among 
these  elected. 

James  Graham  was  one  of  those  who  attached  themselves  to  Bellomont, 
and  the  warm-hearted  Earl  placed  implicit  confidence  in  him  for  a  time. 
With  all  his  democratic  notions  the  nobleman  governor  had  great  respect 
for  birth  and  blood.  Graham  was  the  son  of  the  Earl  of  Montrose,  who, 
although  a  Scotchman,  was  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  in  England. 
That  was  his  first  recommendation.  Then,  too,  he  was  endowed  with 
brilliant  intellectual  qualities,  was  witty,  chivalrous,  communicative, 
overflowed  with  anecdote,  in  short,  was  a  man  after  the  Earl's  own  heart, 
and  he  enjoyed  such  society.  But  Graham  was  not  a  friend  who  could 
be  trusted,  and  a  more  cautious  and  less  sincere  man  than  the  impulsive 
Bellomont  would  have  sooner  found  him  out.    He  was  the  attorney-gen- 


436  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


eral  of  the  province,  and  had  consequently  drawn  up  all  the  necessary 
papers  for  Fletcher's  land-grants.  Inconsistent  as  it  appears,  he  was  one 
of  the  very  first  to  suggest  their  illegality.  If  such  was  the  fact,  then 
he  alone  was  responsible,  for  he  understood  the  forms  and  methods  of 
the  province  and  Fletcher  left  the  whole  matter  entirely  to  him.  He  was 
apparently  in  entire  sympathy  with  the  projects  of  the  Earl,  vouchsafed 
much  information,  said  the  grants  were  destructive  to  the  best  interests 
of  the  people,  and  ought  to  be  broken.  He  recommended,  however,  that 
a  few  should  be  shattered  at  first,  "  as  a  sort  of  essay  to  see  how  it  would 
be  borne,"  and  the  rest  destroyed  afterwards.  It  was  serious  business,  but 
Bellomont  was  undismayed  and  plunged  straight  into  the  fire.  Graham 
knew  how,  like  many  another  adviser  since  his  time,  to  throw  fuel  into 
the  flames  and  protect  himself. 

He  had  been  chosen  speaker  of  the  House,  and  was  ordered  to  prepare 
the  bill  for  vacating  the  grants.  The  first  estates  under  condemuation  were, 
two  of  Dominie  Dellius,  one  of  Colonel  Bayard,  one  of  Captain  Evans,  one 
of  Caleb  Heathcote,  and  one  belonging  to  Trinity  Church.  Before  the 
subject  was  brought  into  the  council  for  formal  approval,  Bellomont 
sent  an  invitation  for  Graham  to  dine  with  him  one  day,  and  remarked, 
among  other  things,  that  Colonel  William  Smith  seemed  very  much  averse 
to  the  passage  of  such  a  bill.  Graham,  to  the  Earl's  astonishment,  said 
the  thing  could  not  be  done  at  all ;  that  civil  war  would  ensue  should 
it  be  attempted.  The  following  day  Graham  called  upon  the  Earl,  and 
told  how  he  had  found  a  quarter  of  meat  significantly  laid  across  the  sill 
of  his  door  on  the  previous  evening,  which  none  of  his  servants  could  ac- 
count for,  and  which  was  undoubtedly  a  menace,  meaning  that  he  was  to 
be  quartered.  Bellomont  laughed  at  such  nonsensical  fears.  The  same 
day  the  bill  was  brought  before  the  council.  Three  members  were  for  it, 
and  three  against  it,  and,  as  there  were  only  six  present,  Bellomont  gave 
the  casting  vote.  He  wrote  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  that  the  three  who 
were  against  it  were  the  largest  landholders  in  New  York,  except  Dominie 
Dellius.  He,  with  singular  honesty  of  purpose,  caused  the  bill  to  be  so 
worded  that  his  own  and  all  future  governors'  hands  were  tied  from  grant- 
ing any  more,  or  even  so  much  as  leasing  the  demesne  of  the  governor  for 
more  than  his  own  time  in  the  government.  The  House  added  a  clause 
to  deprive  Dominie  Dellius  also  of  his  benefice  at  Albany,  to  which  the 
council  agreed.  While  it  was  being  discussed  in  the  Assembly  Graham 
opposed  it,  which  greatly  annoyed  Bellomont,  since  it  had  been  framed 
through  his  direct  instrumentality.  It  passed  the  House,  however,  with 
a  large  majority. 

The  remainder  of  the  grants  were  shortly  to  be  attacked.  Prominent 


DOMINIE  DELLIUS. 


437 


among  the  landgraves  was  the  chief  justice  of  the  province,  and  counselor, 
Colonel  William  Smith,  of  St.  George's  manor,  near  Brookehaven.  It  was 
said  that  he  owned  over  fifty  miles  of  sea-beach,  and  that  his  land  crossed 
the  whole  breadth  of  Long  Island.  He  was  influential,  and  Bellomont 
apprehended  that  he  would  prove  a  formidable  antagonist,  but  was  fully 
determined  to  meet  the  issue.  Personally  he  had  no  affinity  for  the  cold, 
taciturn,  self-righteous  ex-governor  of  Tangier.  He  did  not  even  respect 
his  abilities.  He  admitted  that  Smith  "  had  more  sense,  and  was  more 
gentlemanlike  than  any  man  whom  he  had  seen  in  the  province,  but  that 
did  not  make  him  a  lawyer,  and  he  really  knew  very  little  about  law  with 
all  his  legal  pretensions." 

While  Bellomont  was  maturing  his  policy  of  grading  the  hills  and 
building  up  the  vales,  a  terrible  commotion  was  being  fomented.  Dom- 
inie Dellius  had  sailed  for  England,  carrying  certificates  of  his  piety  and 
good  life,  and  a  purse  for  his  expenses  filled  by  'the  members  of  his  church 
in  Albany.  He  went  in  all  Confidence  to  the  king,  expecting  to  get  the 
Act  annulled  which  deprived  him  of  his  broad  pastures.  At  the  same 
time  the  church-wardens  and  vestry 
of  Trinity  Church  appealed  to  the 
Bishop  of  London  in  the  most  ear- 
nest manner,  asking  his  interference 
with  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  prevent 
Bellomont  from  wresting  from  them 
their  property  and  rights.  They  par- 
ticularly commended  the  great  zeal, 
generous  liberality,  and  indefatigable 
industry  of  Fletcher,  who  they  said 
was  the  "  sole  founder,  the  principal 
promoter,  and  the  most  liberal  bene- 
factor "  of  the  church ;  and  they 
prayed  that  the  destruction  planned 
by  one  who  was  a  communicant  and 
constant  attendant  might  be  averted. 
Bev.  Mr.  Vesey  esteemed  himself  per- 
sonally aggrieved  in  the  matter.  He 
had  been  on  agreeable  terms  with 
Bellomont,  had  dined  with  him  often, 

and  had  driven  with  him  in  his  COach-      Portrait  and  Autograph  of  Rev.  William  Vesey. 

and-six.   The  good  divine  at  once  left 

the  governor  and  family  out  of  his  prayers  altogether.  And  what  was 
more,  he  prayed  for  Dominie  Dellius  by  name  each  Sunday  in  the  sauctu- 


438 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


ary,  desiring  God  to  give  the  latter  a  safe  and  prosperous  voyage  and  great 
success  with  the  king.1 

Bellomont  was  confounded.  He  had  not  intended  to  injure  the  wel- 
fare of  the  church,  only  to  recover  the  gubernatorial  conveniences  which 
the  church  enjoyed.  He  had,  with  the  consent  of  the  council,  settled 
£26  per  year  upon  the  minister  for  house-rent;  and  it  was  his  intention- 
to  propose  to  the  Assembly  a  further  settlement  of  £  50  per  year  upon 
Mr.  Vesey,  and  all  his  successors  in  that  cure.  As  things  stood  he  could 
no  longer  attend  divine  service  in  his  accustomed  place,  and  he  wrote  to 
the  Bishop  petitioning  that  Mr.  Vesey  be  immediately  deprived  of  his 
benefice  in  New  York. 

As  for  Dominie  Dellius  it  is  hardly  probable  that  he  obtained  his  In- 
dian lands  fraudently.  He  had  been  an  agent  among  the  savages,  and 
during  the  long  years  of  wars  and  alarms  had  been  of  great  service  to  the 
government.  At  one  time  he  had,  in  connection  with  Peter  Schuyler  and 
one  or  two  others,  petitioned  Fletcher  for  liberty  to  trade  with  the  Mo- 
hawks. Fletcher  saw  no  objection,  since  the  practice  of  buying  large 
estates  for  a  few  knives  and  tobacco-pouches  had  been  in  vogue  ever  since 
New  York  was  first  settled ;  and,  besides,  he  had  been  instructed  by  the 
king  to  use  his  own  discretion  in  such  matters.  A  short  time  subse- 
quently, permission  was  granted  to  Dominie  Dellius  to  make  a  second 
purchase,  in  which  no  one  was  concerned  but  himself.  The  sachems 
accepted  the  price  offered,  and  signed  and  sealed  the  instrument  of  con- 
veyance in  the  same  solemn  manner  that  other  Indians  had  done  before 
them.  But  as  soon  as  Fletcher  had  gone  and  Bellomont  began  his  re- 
formatory movements,  these  treacherous  men  of  the  forest  complained, 
and  said  they  had  been  cheated  and  deceived.  Dellius  had  been  an 
active  opponent  of  Leisler,  hence  appearances  were  made  to  tell  seriously 
against  him  by  the  party  in  power.  Not  only  his  religion,  but  his  morals 
were  assailed.  The  customary  epithets  of  the  times,  such  as  "  incendi- 
ary "  and  "  liar  "  and  "  proud  person,"  were  heaped  upon  him,  and  it  was 
asserted  that  he  did  not  pray  for  the  king,  only  for  the  Crown  of  England. 

The  aristocracy  of  that  decade  sustained  the  clergy,  and  the  clergy  sus- 
tained the  aristocracy;  and  the  merchants  sustained  both  the  clergy  and 
the  aristocracy.  Their  grievances  were  of  a  kindred  nature.  Their  cry 
of  rage  vibrated  on  one  chord.  Eadh  sent  angry  petitions  across  the 
water  asking  for  Bellomont's  recall. 

The  Lords  of  Trade  were  worse  confounded  than  Bellomont  himself. 
With  petitions  as  above  filling  up  their  tables,  and  with  the  indignant 

1  Vesey  Street  was  named  from  this  clergyman.  Church,  Chapel,  and  Rector  Streets  have 
the  same  clerical  origin. 


BELL 0310 NT 'S  CHAGR1X. 


439 


Bayard,  Brooke,  and  Dellius  standing  boldly  before  tbem  in  defense  of 
rights  civil  and  political,  the  trial  of  Fletcher  came  on  and  occupied  some 
days.  The  charges  against  him  proved  less  formidable  than  had  been 
expected  before  they  were  subjected  to  the  light  of  careful  analysis.  Evi- 
dence was  entirely  wanting  to  convict  him  of  any  intentional  wrong-doing. 
The  result  of  the  trial  Avas  only  an  expression  of  mild  disapproval  con- 
cerning some  of  his  proceedings. 

Bellomont  was  deeply  chagrined ;  the  more  so  when  he  received  a 
friendly  caution  from  the  king  to  beware  lest  he  encourage  the  Leislerians 
so  far  that  they  demand  reparation  for  damages  sustained  during  the 
Revolution.  Such  a  course  would  involve  property  interests  and  drive 
many  important  families  from  the  province.  Bellomont  responded  quick- 
ly that  he  had  no  idea  of  such  a  foolish  step.  "  You  must  think  me  out 
of  my  wits,"  he  said.  At  the  same  time  he  defined  his  policy,  that  since 
many  men  of  the  Leislerian  party  in  New  York  were  competent  to  hold 
office,  it  was  only  fair  to  promote  them. 

The  Act  for  breaking  the  grants  was  laid  on  the  table  for  future  con- 
sideration  by  the  Lords  of  Trade,  and  that  was  another  mortifying  cir- 
cumstance. Bellomont  wrote  as  if  stung  by  an  asp.  He  said  he  had 
only  carried  out  the  instructions  of  the  crown,  and  if  he  was  not  sus- 
tained in  his  course  he  should  resign.  He  did  not  desire  to  have  the 
Act  to  break  the  two  grants  of  Dellius  approved,  unless  he  should  be 
abundantly  authorized  to  go  on  and  break  the  others,  meaning  Schuyler's, 
Van  Rensselaer's,  Livingston's,  Van  Cortlandt's,  Philipse's,  —  both  father's 
and  son's,  —  Smith's,  Nicolls's,  Beekman's,  Morris's,  etc.  He  asked  the 
recall  of  Matthew  Clarkson,  the  secretary  of  the  province,  saying  that  he 
was  a  "  weak  man,  incapable  of  business,"  and  that  he  was  heartdy  tired 
of  him.  He  declared  that  there  was  not  a  man  in  New  York  whose 
skill  and  integrity  he  could  trust,  and  recommended  that  George  Toilet 
be  sent  from  England  to  fill  the  vacancy.  He  complimented  the  Dutch 
citizens  of  New  York  for  their  honesty,  but  said  the  English  were  quicker 
in  accounts  and  more  ready  with  their  pens.  As  for  himself,  he  said  he 
was  perpetually  in  business  from  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  until  ten  at 
night,  except  during  meals,  and  that  it  was  wearing  upon  his  health  and 
strength. 

The  Assembly  settled  the  revenue  upon  the  governor  for  six  years,  but 
it  was  not  until  after  a  long  and  tedious  dispute.  Graham  several  times 
waited  upon  Bellomont  in  the  hope  of  persuading  him  to  accept  it  for 
three  years,  and  was  haughtily  rebuked  for  his  pains.  A  bill  passed  the 
House  during  the  same  session  for  the  building  of  a  poorhouse.  Bello- 
mont smiled  ironically  when  the  news  came  to  him,  and  remarked  that 


440  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


there  was  no  such  thing  as  a  beggar  in  city  or  country.  And  it  is  a  sig- 
nificant fact  that  in  no  other  part  of  the  king's  dominions  at  that  time 
was  there  so  rich  a  population  as  in  New  York. 

About  this  time  Abraham  Gouverneur  married  Mary  Leisler,  the  widow 
of  Jacob  Milborne.  He  was  a  member  of  the  House,  and  drew  up  a  re- 
monstrance, addressed  to  the  king,  which  arraigned  all  the  proceedings 
against  Leisler  and  Milborne.  His  intention  was  to  compel  Graham,  the 
speaker,  who  had  been  one  of  the  judges  at  their  trial,  and  who  was  e  s- 
teemed a  two-sided  politician,  to  proceed  to  the  council-chamber,  attended 
by  the  whole  Assembly,  and  deliver  the  document  to  the  governor;  in 
case  of  his  refusal,  he  was  to  be  thrown  out  of  the  body.  Dr.  Staats  told 
Bellomont  what  was  in  contemplation.  A  few  moments  later  Graham 
himself  appeared,  and  with  considerable  agitation  said  that  he  had  just 
heard  the  paper  read,  and  "  would  sooner  be  torn  in  pieces  than  bring  it 
up  and  read  it  at  the  head  of  the  House,  for  it  would  be  in  effect  cutting 
his  own  throat."  Bellomont  resorted  to  an  artifice  to  save  Graham  ;  lie 
sent  for  the  Assembly,  saying  he  had  orders  from  the  king  to  make  Gra- 
ham one  of  his  council,  and  that  they  must  choose  a  new  speaker.  Gou- 
verneur was  at  once  elected  to  the  chair  by  general  acclamation,  and 
presented  the  remonstrance  in  due  form.  This  movement  did  not  accom- 
plish its  object;  but  it  resulted  in  the  disinterment  of  the  remains  of 
Leisler  and  Milborne,  and  with  funeral  honors  they  were  given  Christian 
burial  in  the  Dutch  Church.  The  service  was  performed  at  midnight,  in 
presence  of  twelve  hundred  or  more  persons,  and  in  the  midst  of  a  storm 
which  was  only  equaled  in  fury  by  the  one  which  deepened  the  gloom 
at  the  time  of  the  execution.  Order  was  maintained  by  a  large  detach- 
ment of  soldiery. 

At  the  same  moment  the  Dutch  Church  was  tottering  upon  its  foun- 
dation. Bellomont  had  made  an  effort  to  annul  the  charter  on  the 
ground  of  its  having  been  obtained  through  bribery.  The  only  proof 
shown  was  that  the  consistory  had  on  one  occasion  made  Fletcher  a 
present  of  a  piece  of  plate.  The  charter  itself  was  not  agreeable  to  the 
Leislerians,  because  it  gave  the  power  of  calling  ministers  to  the  minister 
and  consistory.  They  battled  for  their  old  right  of  congregational  vote. 
They  carried  their  quarrels  before  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  with  such 
vigor  that  the  first  candidate  who  was  called  to  act  as  colleague  to  Domi- 
nie Selyns  declined  the  honor.  The  accomplished  pastor,  under  whose 
ministration,  since  his  return  from  Holland,  the  church  had  increased  from 
four  hundred  and  fifty  to  six  hundred  and  fifty  members,  was  growing 
old  and  must  have  assistance.  The  charter  prevailed  in  the  end,  and  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Du  Bois  accepted  a  call,  and  reached  New  York  in  the  summer 


BELLOMONT  IN  BOSTON. 


441 


of  1G99.  The  death  of  Dominie  Selyns  occurred  shortly  afterward,  and 
his  loss  was  deeply  mourned.  He  was  one  of  the  acknowledged  founders 
of  the  Dutch  Church  in  America,  and  probably  did  more  during  his  long, 
interesting,  and  honorable  career  to  determine  its  position  for  all  the 
future  than  any  other  man. 

The  time  came  at  length  when  Bellomont  must  attend  to  that  part  of 
his  commission  which  constituted  him  governor  of  Massachusetts  and 
New  Hampshire.  He  made  the  tiresome  overland  journey  to  Boston, 
while  overwhelmed  with  care  and  perplexity,  and  suffering  acutely  with 
the  gout  in  his  right  hand.  He  was  accompanied  by  Lady  Bellomont  and 
a  large  retinue  of  servants.  He  found  in  each  of  the  Eastern  colonies 
two  powerful  parties,  and  the  Acts  of  Trade  violated  and  the  collection 
of  customs  at  loose  ends.  He  found,  too,  that  Boston  was  the  seat  of 
learning  and  fanaticism,  and  wondered  how  the  two  came  to  go  hand  in 
hand.  Opposition  to  his  measures  was  not  so  manifest  as  in  New  York, 
owing  to  the  fact  of  there  being  less  business  done.  New  England  was 
peopled  with  intellectual  men  of  small  means  who  wrung  their  subsist- 
ence from  the  earth.  In  the  rural  districts  there  was  a  general  appear- 
ance of  social  equality.  Bellomont  had  never  seen  anything  like  it,  and 
contrasted  it  with  the  manors  of  New  York, — the  lords  amid  their  ten- 
antry and  negro  slaves,  and  their  gilded  trappings,  coats-of-arms,  and 
coaches-and-six.  He  was  running  over  with  democratic  theories  at  the 
same  time  that  all  his  tastes  and  habits  of  life  were  of  the  opposite  char- 
acter.   But  democracy  was  as  yet  imperfectly  understood. 

Boston  was  charmed  with  Bellomont.  His  noble  bearing  and  easy  ele- 
gant manners  were  everywhere  admired.  Crowds  followed  him  through 
the  streets.  As  in  New  York,  his  dinner-table  was  the  resort  of  politi- 
cians. He  instituted  and  encouraged  -their  visits,  but  was  oftentimes 
dreadfully  bored.  On  one  occasion,  when  his  dining-hall  was  filled  with 
Assemblymen  from  the  country  who  were  shabbily  dressed  and  rough- 
mannered,  he  remarked  aside  to  Lady  Bellomont,  "  We  must  treat  these 
gentlemen  well ;  they  give  us  our  bread." 

A  larger  revenue  was  voted  to  him  in  New  England  than  had  ever 
before  been  given  to  a  governor.  He  favored  the  party  in  Massachusetts 
which  opposed  Dudley.  There  was  comparative  harmony  in  the  Gen- 
eral Court  when  he  presided.  We  are  told  by  historians  that  he  was 
unparliamentary ;  he  never,  it  seems,  hesitated  to  propose  business,  rec- 
ommend committees,  or  even  leave  liis  chair  and  mingle  in  the  debates. 
In  New  Hampshire  he  quarreled  with  the  lieutenant-governor  (whom 
he  had  never  liked)  about  having  sent  ship-timber  to  Portugal.  At 
the  time  of  the  appointment  of  the  latter  he  had  said  to  Sir  Henry 


442 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Ashurst,  at  whose  instance  it  was  done,  "  You  seem  to  have  a  strong  bias 
for  carpenter-governors." 

Bellomont  kept  his  New  York  affairs  constantly  in  mind  during  his 
stay  in  Boston.  In  one  of  his  letters 1  to  Colonel  De  Abraham  Peyster 
he  said :  — 

"  I  wish  you  would  tell  Mr.  Leisler  that  I  can't  move  the  king  to  get  his 
father's  debt  ordered  to  be  paid  for  want  of  government's  and  other  people's 
testimony,  on  oath,  that  they  saw  Captain  Leisler's  books  and  that  there  was 
such  a  sum  due  as  Dr.  Staats  and  Gouverneur  told  me  ;  but  the  sum  they  men- 
tioned I  have  forgot.  Let  this  be  done  immediately,  if  they  are  able  to  swear 
to  it ;  it  must  be  drawn  up  handsomely,  that  I  may  transmit  it  to  England." 

A  little  later  he  wrote,  telling  De  Peyster,  who  had  been  in  Boston  with 
him  for  a  short  time,,  how  high  he  (De  Peyster)  stood  in  the  favor  and 
good  opinion  of  the  New  England  people,  and  how  much  he  was  missed 
by  everybody.  He  urged  the  latter  "  to  get  Mr.  Leisler,  Dr.  Staats,  Mr. 
Walters,  and  Mr.  Gouverneur  together  and  see  if  they  cannot  refresh  their 
memories  in  the  matter  of  the  government  debt.  It  will  be  ridiculous  to 
ask  the  king  to  refund  a  debt  when  I  do  not  know  the  amount."  Lady 
Bellomont  corresponded  with  several  of  the  New  York  ladies  while  in 
Boston.  At  one  time  we  find  her  desiring  Mrs.  De  Peyster  to  buy  her  a 
pearl  necklace  if  she  could  get  one  good  and  cheap. 

Bellomont  succeeded  in  arresting  Captain  Kidd  before  he  left  Boston. 
He  had  long  felt  that  his  honor  and  that  of  his  government  was  deeply 
involved,  and  that  the  apprehension  and  punishment  of  the  audacious 
pirate  was  essential  to  exculpation  in  the  eyes  of  the  world.  Kidd  had 
several  times  visited  the  American  shores.  He  had  buried  a  portion  of 
his  treasures  on  Gardiner's  Island,  which  had  afterwards  been  discovered. 
He  fell  directly  into  the  trap  which  Bellomont  had  laid  for  him.  He  was 
sent  to  England  for  trial ;  he  was  found  guilty ;  and  he  was  executed  on 
the  12th  of  May,  1701.  His  wife  and  daughter  remained  in  New  York, 
and  lived  in  the  strictest  seclusion.  The  rumors  of  buried  gold  created  a 
pauic  among  the  dwellers  all  along  the  Atlantic  coast,  and  for  years  there 
was  much  digging  and  occasional  "  clicks  of  box-lids."  Bui  tin1  fever  at  last 
died  away,  as  have  the  wild  romances  and  weird  legends  concerning  Kidd. 

When  Bellomont  returned  to  New  York  he  wrote  to  the  king  that  he 
should  greatly  prefer  an  honest  judge  and  a  trustworthy  attorney-general 
to  two  ships-of-war.  He  said  Graham  "had  changed  his  note  and 
turned  tail";  that  "Mr.  Graham  in  the  afternoon  was  always  opposed  to 

1  Lord  Bellomont  to  Colmicl  Abraham  De  Peyster,  Augusts,  1699.  Miscellaneous  Works 
of  General  J.  Watts  De  Peyster,  p.  130. 


THE  HANGING  OF  POPISH  PRIESTS. 


443 


Mr.  Graham  in  the  morning,"  and  that  he  never  knew  when  to  depend 
upon  his  opinions,  and  was  often  led  into  ridiculous  follies  by  him ; 
that  Graham  never  had  rendered  him  any  assistance  only  in  the  matter 
of  hunting  up  testimony  against  Fletcher.  He  also  said  that  piracy  was 
on  the  wane,  but  he  expected  New  York  would  be  flooded  with  gold  upon 
the  arrival  of  one  of  Philipse's  ships,  which  was  expected. 

About  this  time  the  new  City  Hall  was  built  upon  the  site  (donated 
by  Colonel  Abra- 
ham De  Peyster), 
of  the  present 
Treasury  building, 
Wall  Street,  oppo- 
site Broad.  David 
Provoost,  who  was 
the  mayor  in  1699, 
laid  the  corner- 
stone. The  build- 
ing cost  about 
£3,000.  The  arms 
of  the  king,  also 
the  arms  of  Bello- 
ment  and  of  Nan- 
fan,  decorated  the 
front.  The  old  City 

Hall,  which  was  in 
i 

an  advanced  state  of  decay,  was  sold  to  John  Rodman  for  £  920. 

Public  scavengers  were  first  instituted  this  year,  and  two  new  market- 
houses  were  erected.  Of  the  latter,  one  was  on  the  corner  of  Coentis  Slip 
and  the  other  at  the  foot  of  Broad  Street.  A  powder-house  was  built  by 
the  corporation,  and  in  view  of  the  recent  Act  of  the  Assembly  in  pro- 
viding for  a  poor-house,  a  small  building  was  hired  where  sick  paupers 
might  go  for  care  and  medical  attention.  The  Brooklyn  ferry  was  in- 
spected and  re-leased  for  seven  years,  and  a  ferry-house  decided  upon, 
which  was  subsequently  erected.  The  rate  of  fare  was  established  by 
law :  it  was  eight  stuyvers  in  wampum,  or  a  silver  twopence  for  a  siugle 
person ;  half  that  sum  each,  when  a  number  of  persons  traveled  in  com- 
pany;  one  shilling  for  a  horse  ;  twopence  for  a  hog  (same  as  for  a  man) ; 
one  penny  for  a  sheep ;  and  after  sunset  double  ferriage  for  all.  The 
dock  was  leased  to  Philip  French  for  £40  per  annum. 

The  Assembly  met  in  the  summer  of  1700,  but  the  business  was  un- 
important and  the  session  a  short  one.    One  law  w  as  enacted,  however, 


City  Hall,  Wall  Street. 


444  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


which  will  never  he  read  but  with  abhorrence.  It  was  to  hang  every 
Popish  priest  who  came  voluntarily  into  the  province  of  New  York. 
Cruel  and  unaccountable  as  it  appears,  we  have  but  to  review 
1700,  the  situation  and  dwell  for  a  moment  upon  the  bloody  wars  to  the 
north,  and  the  supposed  tampering  of  the  Jesuit  emissaries  with  the 
Indians,  to  find  cause  for  a  measure  rather  of  state  policy  than  persecu- 
tion. In  directing  severe  penalties  against  the  priests,  the  legislators 
fancied  they  were  warding  off  the  blows  of  the  tomahawk. 

The  Board  of  Trade,  consisting  of  a  president  and  seven  members,  (the 
first  in  New  York,  and  which  had  been  established  about  three  years,) 
should  have  exercised  an  immediate  supervision  over  the  commerce  of 
the  colony.  It  made  the  attempt,  but  the  persistent  violation  of  the 
revenue  and  other  laws  drove  it  to  stringent  measures,  and  it  conse- 
cpiently  became  as  odious  to  the  merchants  as  Bellomont  himself.  The 
latter  interposed  so  many  obstacles  in  the  way  of  business  that  the  Lon- 
don merchants  were  aroused  and  petitioned  the  king  in  behalf  of  the 
aggrieved  people  of  New  York.  While  it  was  under  consideration  an- 
other petition,  praying  to  be  reinstated  in  peace,  safety,  and  prosperity, 
appeared,  signed  by  thirty-three,  New  York  merchants,  among  whom 
were  Nicholas  Bayard,  Philip  French,  Gabriel  Minvielle,  Kip  Van  Dam, 
Charles  Lodwyck,  Stephen  De  Lancey,  Brandt  Schuyler,  Jacobus  Van 
Cortlandt,  David  Jamison,  and  Klias  Boudinot.  There  Mere  thirty-two 
distinct  accusations  against  Bellomont.  The  thirty-second  was  to  the 
effect  that  the  governor,  in  order  to  justify  his  arbitrary  proceedings,  had 
vilely  slandered  eminent  and  respectable  persons;  he  had  accused  them 
of  piracy  and  of  trading  with  pirates,  which  was  wholly  false.  The  only 
ground  he  bad  ever  had  for  such  suspicions  was  that  some  of  the  rich 
gentlemen  of  New  York  owned  ships  winch  went  to  Madagascar  for 
negroes,  and  sometimes  met  with  India  goods  which  they  could  buy  at 
easy  rates,  but  always  gave  true  account  of  the  same. 

Before  these  papers  were  sent  to  England,  the  governors  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Maryland  tried  to  bring  about  a  reconciliation  between  Bello- 
mont and  the  merchants.  Bellomont  was  irritated,  and  said  he  had  no 
advances  to  make,  unless  it  could  be  proven  that  he  had  acted  contrary 
to  law;  if  the  merchants  expected  him  to  be  reconciled  and  indulge  them 
in  unlawful  trade  and  piracy,  they  would  find  themselves  mistaken,  for 
he  should  be  "  as  steady  as  a  rock  on  that  point"  He  thought  it  was 
hard  on  him  that  the  landholders  should  not  have  received  their  doom ; 
he  should  expect  insolence  until  the  Act  was  ratified  in  England,  " and 
until  all  who  had  obtained  land  by  wholesale  were  brought  under  proper 
limits." 


BELLOMONT S  HARDSHIPS. 


445 


It  was  confidently  asserted  in  New  York  that  Bellomont  was  to  be 
recalled,  and  some  went  so  far  as  to  say  that  Fletcher  had  been  com- 
missioned as  his  successor.  This  caused  a  disaffection  among  the  Leis- 
lerians,  and  a  number  went  over  to  the  aristocracy.  Bellomont  was  quite 
indifferent  about  being  called  home,  and  declared  that  no  malice  could 
spot  his  reputation.  A  letter  from  the  Bishop  of  London  to  Be  v.  Mr. 
Vesey,  however,  cut  him  to  the  heart.  The  good  divine  seemed  to 
have  espoused  the  cause  of  Fletcher ;  he  told  the  people  of  Trinity 
Church  that  "  by  Easter  they  would  be  rid  of  their  grievances."  "  Ah  J " 
said  Bellomont,  "  if  I  am  to  find  my  services  slighted  in  England,  I  may 
well  be  troubled." 

The  Lords  of  Trade  had  really  taken  no  action  in  the  matter.  The  con- 
tradictory stories  perplexed  them.  They  wrote  a  cheerful  letter  of  en- 
couragement to  Bellomont,  and  appointed  Judge  Atwood  and  Attorney- 
General  Broughton  to  go  to  his  relief  and  assistance.  They  were  a  long 
time,  however,  in  reaching  New  York.  Bellomont  was  impatient  with  the 
delay,  and  said  "  the  way  some  people  shirked  their  duty  and  stayed  away 
from  their  posts  was  intolerable."  As  for  Weaver,  who  had  loitered  in  Eng- 
land nearly  three  years,  the  governor  asked  the  Lords  to  send  him  imme- 
diately home  ;  and  at  the  same  time  he  informed  them  that  Major  Ingolds- 
by  had  been  in  London  four  years,  leaving  his  wife  and  children  to  starve, 
—  the  latter  had  now  gone  to  stay  at  Judge  Pinhorne's  in  New  Jersey. 
Hungerford,  who,  on  account  of  relationship,  had  been  appointed  assistant 
collector  of  the'  customs,  was  in  jail,  having  "  played  the  fool  and  worse." 
Augustine  Graham  (son  of  James  Graham)  had  been  suspended  from 
the  office  of  adjutant-general,  "  because,"  said  Bellomont,  "  I  esteem  him  a 
superfluous  charge  to  the  government."  He  was  accused  of  intemperance, 
and  Bellomont  remarked  "that  the  son  would  become  sober  when  the 
father  became  honest."  Lieutenant-Governor  Nanfan  was  at  Barbadoes, 
looking  after  his  wife's  fortune.  Peter  Schuyler  never  attended  the  meet- 
ings of  the  council,  owing  to  the  pressure  of  his  duties  in  Albany.  Bobert 
Livingston  could  only  come  to  New  York  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year. 
Chief  J ustice  Smith's  home  was  a  hundred  miles  away,  and  he  was  rarely 
present.  Graham  was  at  his  country-seat  near  Morrisania,  eight  miles 
from  the  city,  and  was  "  either  sick  or  sullen,  for  he  had  not  shown  him- 
self for  five  months."  Tt  was  thus  that  Bellomont  pictured  his  hardships 
in  being  obliged  to  attend  to  the  business  of  others  as  well  as  his  own,  and 
asked  for  an  increase  of  salary.  He  expressed  himself  greatly  hurt  at 
having  been  "so  pushed  at,"  for  supposed  complicity  with  Captain  Kidd, 
and  said  it  was  a  cruelty  that  every  honest  man  who  served  the  king 
should  have  his  name  torn  and  villified. 


446  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


In  the  early  part  of  January,  1701,  Bellomont  publicly  removed  Gra- 
i7oi.  ham  from  the  offices  of  attorney-general  and  city  recorder.  He 
January.  might  have  spared  his  former  friend  this  infliction,  and  said  he 
should  have  done  so  had  he  known  his  illness  was  of  a  serious  character. 
Graham  was  dying,  having  been  suffering  from  a  serious  malady  ever 
since  his  last  visit  to  the  council-chamber.  He  lived  but  a  few*  days  after 
he  was  informed  of  the  action  of  the  governor.  His  large  estate  near 
Morrisania  was  divided  equally  among  his  six  children.  Of  his  manner 
of  life  a  passing  glimpse  is  handed  along  to  us  in  his  will,  which  makes 
mention  of  an  overseer,  two  white  servants,  and  thirty  negro  slaves. 

In  November,  prior  to  the  death  of  Graham,  Hon.  Stephanus  Van 
Cortlandt  had  finished  his  eventful  career.  Bellomont  felt  his  loss  keenly. 
Although  they  differed  in  opinions  upon  almost  every  important  subject 
which  came  up  for  discussion  in  the  council,  they  were  warm  personal 
friends.  Van  Cortlandt  had  borne  his  years  well,  and  was  an  excellent 
public  officer.  His  liberal  views  and  large  charities  had  greatly  facilitated 
the  growth  and  prosperity  of  New  York.  His  last  sleep  was  full  of 
honors.  His  place  in  the  council  was  filled  by  William  Lawrence,  who 
was  pronounced  "a  man  of  good  estate  and  honest  understanding." 

In  the  latter  part  of  February,  Bellomont  was  attacked  with  the 
gout,  to  which  he  had  been  subject  for  years  ;  but  witli  characteris- 
tic energy  he  for  several  days  dictated  communications  to  the  various 
parts  of  his  government,  and,  regardless  of  physical  pain,  wrote  one  or  two 
letters  with  his  own  hand.    He  grew  worse,  and  on  the  5th  of 
'  March  ended  his  arduous  and  unsatisfactory  labors,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-five.    His  death  caused  a  profound  sensation.    A  general  last  was 
observed  throughout  the  province.    He  was  interred  with  appropriate 
ceremonies  in  the  chapel  in  the  fort.    When  that  structure  was  leveled  in 
1790,  his  leaden  coffin  was  tenderly  removed  and  deposited  in  St.  Paul's 
churchyard. 

Lady  Bellomont  remained  in  New  York  about  a  year  and  a  half  alter 
the  deatli  of  her  hushand,  and  then  returned  to  England,  where  she  sub- 
sequently married  again.  In  her  deep  affliction  she  received  the  constant 
attention  and  sympathy  of  Mrs.  Abraham  I  >e  IVyster,  and  Mrs.  Stejfhanus 
Van  Cortlandt,  —  Lady  Van  Cortlandt,  as  she  was  then  styled.  The  coach 
of  the  latter,  with  its  outriders  wearing  badges  of  mourning,  made  frequent 
trips  between  the  manor-house  and  city,  although  the  ladies  and  their  ser- 
vants Were  much  oftener  seen  wending  their  way  through  the  woods  on 
horseback.  Anne,  the  daughter  of  Van  Cortlandt,  had  been  married,  a  few 
months  before  the  death  of  the  latter,  to  Stephen  I)e  Lancey,1  and  was  now 

1  SiL'])li(!ii  l)u  Lancey  soon  afterward  built  a  large  elegant  homestead  n|>on  land  conveyed  to 


DEATH  OF  LORD  BELLOMONT. 


447 


presiding  over  a  pretentious  mansion  of  her  own  on  Broadway  near  Trinity 
Church.  De  Lancey  was  one  of  the  merchants  who  had  writhed  under 
the  imputation  of  piracy,  and  hated  Bellomont  with  fiery  intensity ;  but  it 
did  not  prevent  his  beautiful  bride  from  showing  the  utmost  kindness  to 
the  bereaved  widow. 

What  the  results  of  Bellomont's  policy  might  have  been  must  ever  re- 
main a  mystery.  Few  have  been  incited  by  more  conscientious  motives 
in  their  efforts  to  administer  justice.  His  errors  were  chiefly  in  judg- 
ment ;  he  allowed  noble  and  praiseworthy  impulses  to  carry  him  beyond 
the  bounds  of  common  prudence.  But  through  his  instrumentality  piracy 
received  a  check  from  which  it  never  had  vitality  enough  to  recover,  and 
although  he  did  not  succeed  in  destroying  the  political  influence  and  in 
lowering  the  social  position  of  the  gentry  of  the  province,  he  did  advance 
men  who  might  not  otherwise  have  had  their  talents  recognized,  and  he  pro- 
duced something  more  nearly  approximate  to  a  common  level  than  any 
one  individual  ever  accomplished  either  before  or  since  his  time.  Few 
would  have  had  the  courage  to  have  raised  an  arm  against  so  many 
adversaries,  rarely  another  could  have  done  so  without  falling  in  the  fray. 
His  death  was  the  source  of  fresh  troubles,  and  the  only  wonder  is  that 
New  York  did  not  resolve  into  a  state  of  hopeless  anarchy.1 

him  by  his  father-in-law,  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt,  on  the  corner  of  Broad  and  Dock,  now 
Broad  and  Pearl  Streets.  This  same  edifice  attained  celebrity  at  a  much  later  period,  as 
"  Fraunces'  Tavern."    Cliamber  of  Commerce  Records,  by  John  Austin  Stevens,  307,  308. 

1  In  my  account  of  the  brief  administration  of  Lord  Bellomont,  as  in  many  other  instan- 
ces, I  abstain  from  citing  authorities,  because  my  authorities  are  too  numerous  to  cite.  My 
information  has  been  derived,  not  only  from  the  sources  open  to  every  student  of  history,  but 
from  thousands  of  old  letters,  sermons,  tracts,  records  of  trials,  wills,  and  other  musty  and 
forgotten  documents. 


448  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

1701-1710. 
COLONEL  WILLIAM  SMITH. 

Colonel  William  Smith. — Conflict  in  the  Council.  —  Lieutenant-Governor  Nan- 
fan.  —  Illegal  Voting.  —  Robert  Livingston  in  Disgrace.  —  Mrs.  Gertrude  Van 
cortlandt.  — the  clty  elections.  —  extraordinary  confusion.  —  mayor  noell. 
—  Chief  Justice  Atwood.  — Manor-House  of  Caleb  Heathcote.  — Trial  of  Nich- 
olas Bayard  for  Treason. — Death  of  William  III.  —  Lord  Cornbury.  —  Bay- 
ard's Sentence  reversed.  — The  Yellow  Fever.  —  The  Church  Quarrel.  —  Lady 
Bellomont. — The  Leisler  Bill.  —  Death  of  Frederick  Philipse.  —  Philipse 
Manor. — Philipse  Will. — The  French  Church. — Trinity  Church. — Queen 
Anne.  —  Excitements. — The  Treasurer  of  the  Province. — Death  of  Lady 
Cornbury.  —  Lord  Cornbury  and  the  two  Presbyterian  Ministers.  — The  As- 
sembly of  1708.  —  Spirited  Resolutions.  —  Lord  Lovelace.  —  First  Paper  Money 
in  New  York.  —  Five  Indian  Chiefs  at  Queen  Anne's  Court.  — The  Silver  Vase 
presented  to  Schuyler  by  Queen  Anne. 


THE  sadness  which  fell  like  a  pall  over  New  York  upon  the  death 
of  Lord  Belloinont  was  cpiickly  pierced  by  a  clash  in  the  political 
arena.    Lieutenant-Governor  Nanfan  was  in  Barbadoes,  and  the 

1701. 

government  was  without  a  head.    Colonel  William  Smith  has- 
tened to  New  York,  but,  owing  to  recent  storms  and  swollen 
streams,  he  did  not  arrive  until  the  11th.    The  ice  was  just  breaking 
in  the   Hudson   Iliver,  which  prevented  Peter  Schuyler  and 

March  11. 

Robert  Livingston  from  reaching  the  city  until  the  21st  of  the 

month. 

Without  waiting  for  the  two  latter,  the  council  met  to  consider  what 
steps  to  take  in  the  emeryrencv.    Colonel  Smith  claimed  the  chair 

March  12.  1 

by  virtue  of  being  the  oldest  member.  The  four  other  gentlemen 
present — Abraham  De  Peyster,  Dr.  Staats,  Robert  Walters,  and  Thomas 
Weaver — thought  a  vote  should  be  taken  and  the  majority  decide  the 
question.  Smith  said  it  was  "an  odd  and  doubtful  way  of  proceeding," 
and  since  New  York  had  never  l>ecn  so  circumstanced  before  they  must 
look  to  other  of  the  king's  plantations  for  a  precedent  in  the  matter.  The 
discussion  grew  Interesting  and  considerable  heat  was  manifested.  Smith 


CONFLICT  IN  THE  COUNCIL. 


449 


wrote  out  his  opinion,  and  it  was  twice  read  before  the  meeting.  They 
finally  separated  and  came  together  again  the  next  morning.  A 
written  reply  to  Smith's  arguments  was  produced  and  read.  It 
declared  that  one  member  had  no  more  power  than  another,  and  that 
when  the  majority  saw  fit  to  meet  as  a  council  for  the  transaction  of 
public  business  they  should  notify  Smith,  and  if  he  refused  to  meet  with 
them,  they  should  act  in  the  administration  of  the  government  without 
him.    De  Peyster  acted  as  President  of  the  Council. 

The  spirit  and  tone  of  the  document  offended  Smith,  but  he  maintained 
his  position.  After  a  long  session  the  gentlemen  separated  without  hav- 
ing arrived  at  any  settlement.  The  next  day  and  the  next  was  but  a 
repetition  of  the  same.  The  question  also  came  up  as  to  whether  the 
Assembly  ought  to  sit  on  the  2d  of  April,  the  day  specified  at  the  time 
of  their  prorogation.  Smith  was  inclined  to  believe  that  the  Assembly 
was  actually  dissolved  by  the  governor's  death.  Some  of  the  gentlemen 
were  so  earnest  in  pressing  for  the  meeting  of  the  Assembly  that  Smith 
suspected  they  designed  attempting  to  pass  bills  of  private  consequence, 
which  Bellomont  had  only  been  prevented  from  doing  by  the  superior 
discernment  of  the  Lords  of  Trade.  Such  was  the  fact,  as  subsequent 
events  proved.  The  Leisler  family  had  never  rested  in  the  matter  of 
securing  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  of  the  province  to  sustain  them  in 
instituting  suits  for  damages,  claimed  to  have  been  sustained  during  the 
revolution,  and  their  estimates  were  alarmingly  exorbitant.  The  wife 
of  Robert  Walters  was  Leister's  daughter,  and  she  inherited  her  father's 
persistence  in  a  purpose,  as  well  as  her  share  of  the  estate.  It  is  easy 
to  see  why  Walters  was  anxious  to  seize  the  opportunity  to  further  her 
wishes  and  increase  his  own  possessions.  Dr.  Staats  had  been  one  of 
Leisler's  council,  and  had  always  advocated  the  exaction  of  some  terrible 
retribution  for  the  murder  of  two  innocent  men.  Weaver  was  a  new 
man  in  New  York,  and  one  of  those  blundering  and  shallow  persons  who 
always  talk  loudly,  particularly  upon  those  subjects  which  they  least  un- 
derstand, and  who  are  usually  restrained  with  difficulty  from  talking  all 
the  time.  The  speaker  of  the  Assembly  was  Abraham  Gouverneur,  who 
had  not  only  suffered  himself,  but  his  wife  was  Leisler's  daughter,  and 
was  doubly  interested  through  her  father  and  her  first  husband.  This 
was  certainly  an  opportune  moment  for  carrying  a  long-determined  plan 
into  execution. 

Schuyler  and  Livingston  at  last  put  in  their  appearance.  They  at  once 
took  the  "round  which  had  been  held  so  valiantly  by  Smith.  Liv- 

i     i.i  PT,  „  ....  .  .March  21. 

ingston  had,  in  the  earlier  part  of  iiellomonts  administration,  sided 

with  the  Leislerians.    But  it  was  more  from  personal  regard  for  the  gov- 

29 


450 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


ernor  than  for  any  sympathy  in  their  cause.  The  Kidd  affair,  in  which 
he  had  been  accused  of  sequestering  piratical  treasures  to  a  large  amount, 
had  produced  coolness  between  himself  and  Bellomont.  The  remarkable 
interests  now  at  stake  brought  him  into  his  old  groove.  There  was  a 
sharpening  of  sabers  and  a  rush  to  mortal  combat.  It  was  three  against 
four,  De  Peyster  being  in  sympathy  with  the  Leislerians.  The  scheme 
of  revenge  was  charged  squarely  upon  the  latter.  In  turn  Livingston  and 
Schuyler  were  accused  of  defrauding  the  government,  and  Smith  was  in- 
formed that  he  was  considered  a  dangerous  man  by  the  late  governor, 
and  was  just  about  to  have  been  ousted  from  the  council.  Colonel  Smith 
had  actually  been  deprived  of  the  office  of  chief  justice  in  December, 
and  De  Peyster  had  been  invested  with  the  dignity  —  during  the  interim, 
until  the  arrival  of  Atwood  —  simply  for  necessary  process  without  being 
expected  to  judge  in  any  cause.  The  eloquent  vituperation  and  stinging 
sarcasm  which  echoed  from  wall  to  wall  in  the  council-chamber  was  un- 
equalled in  history.  The  clamor  of  the  angry  disputants  was  so  loud  and 
threatening  that  people  in  the  neighborhood  spread  an  alarm.  Weaver 
outdid  all  the  rest  in  the  elevation  of  his  voice  and  in  the  originality  of 
his  ideas.  He  said  if  the  rest  of  the  four  were  of  his  mind,  they  "  would 
put  those  who  would  not  submit  to  the  majority  fast  in  irons  and  chains," 
for  it  was  nothing  more  or  less  than  rebellion. 

The  Assembly  met  on  the  2d  of  April,  but  owing  to  the  quarrel 
April  2.      ^e  C0Ullcj]  adjourned  from  day  to  day.    Both  parties  sent  a 
written  explanation  of  the  controversy  to  the  House,  and  it  was  decided 
that  the  council  had  the  right  to  govern  by  majority  of  voices.    But  in 
view  of  the  irreconcilable  nature  of  the  singular  affair  the  House  ad- 
journed until  June.    Meanwhile  Nanfan  arrived.    There  was  no 
longer  any  question  of  pre-eminence,  for,  according  to  the  provis- 
ion in  Bellomont's  commission,  the  lieutenant-governor  was  now  the 
commander-in-chief.    Other  questions  arose,  however,  of  even  graver  mo- 
ment, and  the  spirit  of  antagonism  increased  to  an  unprecedented  degree. 

The  Lords  of  Trade  had  advised  Nanfan  to  avoid  engaging  himself 
"  in  the  heats  and  animosities  of  parties,"  and  in  all  things  to  use  mod- 
eration. He  attempted  obedience,  and  his  first  act  was  to  dissolve  the 
Assembly  and  order  a  new  election.  The  energy  and  tact  of  each  party 
were  brought  into  full  play,  and  the  contest  was  one  of  the  most  bitter 
and  demoralizing  that  ever  occurred  in  New  York.  There  was  illegal 
voting  everywhere.  The  elections  were  sharply  disputed.  The  Leisler- 
ians were  in  the  majority;  when  they  came  to  choose  a  speaker  for  the 
House  there  was  another  painful  disturbance.  Out  of  twenty-one  mem- 
bers, of  which  the  House  was  composed,  ten  voted  for  Abraham  Gouver- 


MRS.  STEPHANUS  VAN  CORTLANDT. 


451 


neur  and  nine  for  William  Nicolls.  The  minority  undertook  to  prove 
that  Gouverneur  was  an  alien,  for  which  several  of  the  gentlemen  were 
prosecuted.  On  the  other  hand,  it  was  charged  that  Nicolls  and  Wessells 
were  not  properly  qualified  to  act  as  members,  because  they  were  not 
■actual  residents  of  the  counties  where  they  were  elected.  They  both 
retired  from  the  House  in  anger,  and  sent  written  complaints  of  their 
treatment  to  England. 

The  oaths  were  administered  to  the  Assemblymen  by  Atwood  (who 
had  arrived  and  been  made  one  of  the  counselors),  De  Peyster,  and 

Aug.  19. 

Livingston.  Two  days  later  Nanfan  named  a  committee,  by  urgent 
request  from  certain  sources,  to  audit  the  public  accounts.  It  con-  Aug' 21' 
sisted  of  Atwood,  De  Peyster,  Dr.  Staats,  and  Eobert  Walters,  who  were 
to  meet  a  committee  from  the  House  at  the  residence  of  Koger  Baker.  It 
was  a  proceeding  aimed  directly  at  Eobert  Livingston.  It  was  pretended 
that  he  had  never  accounted  for  the  public  money  which  he  had  formerly 
received  out  of  the  excise.  He  indignantly  refused  to  appear  before  this 
tribunal.  His  conduct  was  pronounced  "  a  determination  not  to  render 
an  account,"  although  it  was  well  known  that  his  books  and  vouchers 
were  in  the  hands  of  the  government  and  detained  from  him.  The  two 
committees  unanimously  recommended  that  a  bill  be  passed  the  House 
for  the  confiscation  of  his  real  and  personal  estate  to  the  value  of  as  much 
debt  to  the  crown  as  could  be  charged  to  him. 

A  few  days  later  Mrs.  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  was  summoned  before 
the  auditing  committee  to  pay  an  alleged  deficit  in  her  late  hus- 

Sept.  9. 

band's  accounts  to  the  amount  of  £  530.  She  took  no  notice  of 
the  mandate.  She  even  withheld  the  books  and  papers  when  they  were 
demanded.  Quite  an  excitement  was  fomented  on  her  account,  but  she 
stood  out  as  fearlessly  against  threats  as  she  had  done  in  the  time  of  the 
Kevolution.  She  believed  her  husband  to  have  been  perfectly  upright, 
and  was  determined  to  prevent  his  memory  from  being  sullied  through 
the  implacable  malice  of  the  party  in  power.  She  hoped,  too,  that  before 
matters  came  to  a  crisis  a  new  governor  and  a  new  order  of  things  might 
bless  New  York.  Suits  were  instituted  against  her,  but  Lord  Cornbury 
came  just  in  time  to  save  her  from  being  publicly  annoyed.  Her  resolute 
course  of  action  was  attributed  largely  to  the  influence  of  Nicholas  Bayard, 
whose  son  Samuel  had  recently  married  her  daughter  Margaret,  and  the 
families  were  more  intimate  if  possible  than  ever.  She  was  supposed, 
too,  to  be  very  much  under  the  guidance  of  Livingston,  whose  wife  was 
her  sister  Alida,  and  who  stayed  chiefly  at  her  house  when  in  New  York. 
Both  suppositions  were  alike  incorrect  and  did  the  lady  injustice.  She 
was  a  responsible,  capable,  and  efficient  member  of  society,  abundantly 
able  to  judge  and  act  for  herself. 


452 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Nanfan  informed  the  auditing  committee,  that  while  in  Albany,  in  con- 
ference with  the  sachems  of  the  Five  Nations,  just  after  his  arrival  from 
Barbadoes,  the  Indians  had  expressed  great  affection  for  Livingston,  and 
desired  that  he  should  be  sent  to  Europe  to  procure  them  some  favors. 
The  committee  summoned  Livingston  before  them,  and  this  time  he  ap- 
peared. They  told  him  that  it  had  been  made  to  appear  that  he  had 
used  some  undue  influence  in  prevailing  upon  the  Indians  to  signify  their 
pleasure  that  he  should  visit  the  king  in  their  behalf;  but  that  he  could, 
if  he  thought  proper,  take  a  voluntary  oath  to  clear  himself  from  censure. 
Livingston  was  too  well  acquainted  with  English  law  and  liberty  to  abet 
such  insolence.  He  knew  that  there  was  not  a  shadow  of  proof  against 
him.  He  contemptuously  replied  that  he  "  did  not  think  it  worth  his 
while." 

The  House  immediately  addressed  Nanfan  with  a  petition  to  be  for- 
warded to  the  king  for  the  removal  of  Livingston  from  the  office  of  Sec- 
retary of  Indian  Affairs.  A  bill  was  prepared,  obliging  Livingston  to 
account,  which  was  passed,  with  an  amendment  by  Nanfan,  to  the  effect 
that  time  should  be  given  him  until  the  25th  of  March,  1702. 

Other  bills  passed,  but  the  one  entitled  "  An  Act  for  the  pay- 
°  '  meiit  of  the  debts  of  the  government  made  in  the  late  happy  Rev- 
olution," was  delayed  day  after  day  by  the  persistent  opposition  of  the 
minority.  Finally  young  Leisler  went  to  Nanfan  witli  a  petition  that  it 
might  receive  immediate  consideration.  Nanfan  received  him  graciously, 
but  coolly  remarked  that  the  Assembly  had  been  sitting  a  long  time,  and 
the  remaining  bills  must  all  be  dismissed  until  the  next  session.  The 
same  afternoon  he  prorogued  the  House  until  the  third  Tuesday  in 
March. 

The  city  elections  were  as  disorderly  as  those  of  the  province.  Both 
parties  seemed  lost  to  all  sense  of  honor  and  decency.  There  was  as 
much  illegal  as  legal  voting,  and  several  bloody  skirmishes  among  in- 
dividuals. At  last  there  was  a  violent  dispute  about  which  party  had 
really  won.  As  there  were  to  be  six  aldermen  and  six  assistants,  should 
party  division  be  equal,  Thomas  Noell,  the  new  mayor,  who  belonged  to 
the  aristocracy,  would  have  the  casting  vote.  But  the  Leislerians  claimed 
the  victory,  and,  departing  from  the  customary  method,  were  severally 
sworn  in  by  the  retiring  mayor,  who  was  of  their  own  party. 

Mayor  Noell  was  sworn,  as  usual,  before  the  governor  and  council,  and 
then  repaired,  in  company  with  the  elected  aldermen,  to  Trinity  Church 
to  listen  to  an  appropriate  discourse  by  Kev.  Mr.  Vesey.  From  there  they 
proceeded  in  solemn  state  to  the  City  Hall,  where  the  bell  was  rung, 
Mayor  Noell  published  his  commission  and  took  the  chair.    The  retiring 


EXTRAORDINARY  CONFUSION. 


453 


mayor,  De  Riemer,  arose  and  gracefully  presented  him  with  the  city 
charter  and  seal.  Abraham  Gouverneur  was  city  recorder,  and  took  his 
seat  by  the  mayor.  Noell  told  the  clerk  to  proceed  with  the  ceremony 
of  swearing  in  the  members  elect.  Several  responded,  as  their  names 
were  called,  by  saying  they  had  been  sworn  in  already.  Shouts  of  "  It 
cannot  be  done,"  and  "  It  is  not  according  to  law,"  caused  great  confusion. 
There  were  crowds  of  citizens  present,  and  all  talked  together,  until  the 
hubbub  was  deafening.  Some  declared  that  no  one  could  be  legally  sworn 
by  the  old  mayor,  and  others  with  equal  emphasis  maintained  the  right 
by  law.  Not  only  voices  but  fists  were  raised,  and  the  uproar  became  of 
such  magnitude  that  Mayor  Noell  apprehended  a  fight  and  arose  and  dis- 
solved the  meeting. 

Noell  declined  to  sit  with  aldermen,  as  a  common  council,  who  refused 
to  be  sworn  by  him.  And  as  the  common  council  was  the  only  legal  au- 
thority for  scrutinizing  disputed  elections,  the  city  was  in  danger  of  being 
without  a  government.  The  urgency  of  the  case  induced  Noell  to  take 
upon  himself  the  responsibility  of  appointing  four  men  in  each  ward  to 
inspect  returns.  The  Leislerians  whom  he  placed  on  these  committees 
refused  to  serve.  They  pronounced  the  proceeding  irregular,  and  claimed 
that  the  common  council  could  only  judge  of  the  qualifications  of  its  own 
members.  The  remainder  of  the  committees  went  on  with  their  labors, 
and  returned  the  names  of  all  the  voters  in  the  disputed  wards,  with  the 
men  for  whom  they  had  severally  voted.  It  was  found  that  the  aristo- 
cratic party  were  in  the  majority. 

Mayor  Noell  then  called  a  meeting  at  the  City  Hall  to  swear  in  the  new 
aldermen.    Those  who  would  be  displaced  by  such  action  joined 

'  Nov.  11 

them,  and  they  all  marched  along  the  streets  and  entered  the  hall 
together.  They  took  their  seats  side  by  side,  with  angry  determination 
resting  upon  their  countenances.  Mayor  Noell  arose,  and  said  he  should 
use  no  violence  to  eject  those  who  had  no  business  there,  and  went  on 
swearing  in  such  as  had  been  legally  chosen.  Voices  were  meanwhile 
protesting  from  every  part  of  the  hall.  The  clerk  administered  the  oaths 
amid  a  deafening  roar  of  tongues,  and  when  the  mayor  proceeded  to  the' 
transaction  of  business,  all  took  part  with  audacious  effrontery  until  the 
confusion  became  so  great  that  he  adjourned  the  Board  for  two  weeks. 
The  case  went  before  the  Supreme  Court,  which  decided  upon  an 

Dec.  29. 

equal  division  of  the  aldermen  and  assistants  between  the  two 
parties.    As  Mayor  Noell  and  Recorder  Gouverneur  were  opposed,  the 
Board  stood  equally  divided. 

With  Chief  Justice  Atwood  came  Attorney-General  Broughton  from 
England,    A  round  of  dinners  and  entertainments  was  given  these  gen- 


454 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


tlemen,  which,  together  with  the  great  heat  of  the  summer,  caused  Brough- 
ton  a  severe  fit  of  illness.  He  had  a  family  of  eight,  and  houses  were  so 
scarce  that  he  could  find  no  accommodations  except  in  crowded  lodgings. 
He  finally  wrote  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  for  special  permission  to  occupy 
one  of  Captain  Kidd's  vacant  dwellings.  He  also  petitioned  that  the 
office  of  surveyor-general  might  be  given  to  his  son,  in  case  Augustine 
Graham,  who  had  sailed  for  England  to  settle  his  father's  estate,  should 
resign. 

Weaver,  as  collector  of  the  customs,  made  himself  offensive  to  men  of 
all  classes  and  opinions.  He  collided  with  the  merchants  concerning  the 
Acts  of  Trade  so  perpetually,  that  he  was  more  cordially  hated  than  any 
other  man  who  had  ever  filled  the  position.  When  he  meddled  with  poli- 
tics his  dogmatic  assertions  and  shallow  understanding  were  brought  so 
conspicuously  into  the  foreground,  that  even  his  best  friends  said  he  was 
enough  to  ruin  any  cause. 

During  this  autumn  Madame  Sarah  Knight  journeyed  from  Boston  to 
New  York  on  horseback,  and  wrote  some  very  pleasant  notes  about  her  trip. 
She  was  obliged  to  ford  some  rivers,  and  cross  others  in  a  frail  scow,  and  as 
for  taverns,  there  were  no  such  conveniences  as  yet  along  the  route.  She 
was  a  woman  of  culture  as  well  as  courage,  and  deeply  interested  in  the 
progress  and  development  of  the  country.  As  she  approached  Mamaroneck 
she  was  surprised  to  find  so  much  of  the  land  under  successful  cultiva- 
tion, and  good  buildings  erected.  Presently  she  came  to  the  manor-house 
of  Colonel  Caleb  Heathcote,  with  its  broad  lawns,  handsome  gardens,  ele- 
gant shade-trees,  and  great  deer-park  after  the  most  approved  English 
fashion.  As  for  New  Rochelle,  she  pronounced  it  a  "  clean,  pretty  place, 
where  many  French  gentlemen  of  learning  resided,  and  where  were  pass- 
able roads,  and  a  bridge  broad  enough  for  a  cart." 

The  city  of  New  York  was  so  very  unlike  Boston,  that  she  regarded  it 
with  special  interest.  The  half-blending  of  Dutch  and  English  customs, 
the  confusion  of  tongues,  the  variety  of  fashions,  and  the  different  styles 
of  equipage  attracted  and  amused  her.  She  said,  "  the  prevailing  style  of 
architecture  was  plain,"  the  brick  buildings  were  chiefly  "  in  divers  colors 
laid  in  checks  and  glazed."  The  inside,  as  far  as  she  had  an  opportunity 
of  judging,  was  more  elaborate  than  the  outside,  and  neat  to  a  fault.  The 
hearthstones  usually  extended  far  into  the  room  and  were  laid  with  tiles  ; 
the  staircases  were  highly  ornamented.  The  streets  of  the  city  were  gen- 
erally paved  to  the  width  of  ten  feet  from  the  fronts  of  the  houses  on  each 
side  of  the  way,  while  the  center  was  constructed  to  serve  the  double  pur- 
pose of  gutter  and  sewer.  A  few  "  brick  pathways  "  were  the  only  side- 
walks.   Broadway  was  shaded  with  beautiful  trees  on  either  side. 


NEW  YORK  IN  1704. 


455 


The  judicial  jurisdiction  of  Chief  Justice  Atwood  extended  over  New 
England,  but  he  was  not  well  received  in  the  courts.  He  was  many  times 
affronted  in  the  most  premeditated  manner.  While  attempting  to  sup- 
press illegal  trade  in  Boston  he  had  a  sharp  conflict  with  the  son  of  Bob- 
ert  Livingston,  who  had  a  vessel  wrecked  off  the  coast,  filled  with  wines, 
brandies,  and  other  European  commodities.  And  he  was  instrumental  in 
seizing  the  cargo  of  a  vessel  belonging  to  Samuel  Vetch,  afterwards  gov- 
ernor of  Nova  Scotia,  whose  wife  was  Margaret,  the  daughter  of  Bobert 
Livingston. 


View  of  New  York.  1704. 


As  for  Bobert  Livingston  himself,  he  was  vilified,  accused,  and  threatened 
on  every  side.  Barty  ingenuity  was  constantly  at  work  devising  new 
ways  for  blackening  his  character.  There  were  grounds  for  complaint 
against  him,  but  insufficient  to  warrant  the  wholesale  defamation  to 
which  he  was  subjected.  And  equally  virulent  were  the  attacks  upon 
Colonel  Nicholas  Bayard,  whose  power  as  a  political  leader  was  wTell 
understood.  The  passage  of  the  Leisler  Bill,  as  it  was  called,  was  a  fore- 
gone conclusion  with  the  Leislerians,  hence  a  proclamation  was  issued, 
ordering  every  person  concerned  to  bring  in  claims  and  losses  for  settle- 
ment. The  inventory  that  followed  was  a  most  extraordinary  mathe- 
matical production,  as  might  have  been  predicted.  One  old  gun,  and  a 
small  rusty  sword,  seized  by  Governor  Sloughter,  were  together  valued  at 
£  40 ;  and  hundreds  of  similar  items  might  be  cited. 

The  proceeding  created  intense  excitement.  The  aggrieved  appealed 
to  the  king,  asking  for  a  governor  —  one  who  understood  the  principles 


456 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


of  government,  and  whose  sentiments  were  in  unison  with  those  of  Par-' 
liament.  An  address  of  congratulation  was  also  prepared  to  forward  to 
Lord  Cornbury,  who,  it  was  reported,  had  been  chosen  to  succeed  Bello- 
mont.  These  papers  were  burdened  with  over  six  hundred  signatures, 
among  which  were  those  of  the  leading  men  of  the  aristocratic  party.  The 
movement  was  conducted  with  great  secrecy ;  but  it  was  discovered  by 
Nanfan  and  the  members  of  his  council,  who  styled  it  "  A  conspiracy." 
They  said  it  was  done  to  intimidate  them  from  the  performance  of  duty. 
Notwithstanding  petitions  had  been  the  acknowledged  right  of  English- 
men for  ages,  Chief  Justioe  Atwood  claimed  that  the  present  was  a  case 
of  "  sedition  and  rebellion."  The  most  persistent  effort  was  made  by  the 
government  to  secure  the  papers  or  their  copies.  Several  persons  were 
arrested  and  brought  before  the  council,  and  by  means  of  threats  and 
promises  the  information  was  at  last  obtained,  that  the  documents  had 
been  signed  at  a  coffee-house  kept  by  Captain  Hutchings,  one  of  the  city 
aldermen.  It  also  appeared  that  Colonel  Bayard  and  his  son  Samuel 
were  concerned.  Hutchings  and  the  two  Bayards  were  accordingly 
summoned  before  Nanfan  and  the  council,  and  examined.  The  result 
was  unsatisfactory,  since  no  new  facts  were  elicited  ;  Hutchings  was 
committed  to  jail  for  not  producing  the  papers,  and  Colonel  Bayard  and 
his  son  were  compelled  to  enter  into  bonds  to  the  amount  of  £  1,500  each, 
to  answer  to  an  indictment  to  be  filed  against  them  in  the  Supreme  Court. 

A  consultation  took  place  the  next  day  among  the  signers  of  the 
papers.  It  was  unanimously  decided  that  there  was  nothing  whatever  in 
the  transaction  contrary  to  the  plain  English  law.  Consequently  Colonel 
Bayard,  Rip  Van  Dam,  Philip  French,  and  Thomas  Wenham  signed  an 
appeal,  addressed  to  the  governor  and  council,  asking  for  the  release  of 
Hutchings,  who  could  not  produce  the  papers,  because  they  were  not  in 
his  possession.  The  petitioners  frankly  admitted  that  they  held  the 
documents,  but  denied  any  disloyalty.  Chief  Justice  Atwood  denounced 
the  haughtiness  in  the  tone  of  the  communication.  Dr.  Staats  and 
Robert  Walters  read  and  re-read  and  weighed  the  language  of  the  peti- 
tioners, sentence  by  sentence.  What  could  this  passage  mean?  —  "and 
another  address  to  my  Lord  Cornbury,  whom  we  understand  by  certain 
advice  we  have  received  from  England  to  be  nominated  by  his  Majesty 
to  succeed  the  late  Earl  of  Bellomont."  Was  not  such  an  expression 
literally  disowning  and  casting  off  the  authority  of  Lieutenant-Governor 
Nanfan  ?  Nanfan  himself  did  not  so  interpret  it.  But  then,  he  was  only 
the  figure-head  of  the  administration.  Weaver  saw  more  clearly  through 
the  film,  and  detected  what  he  styled  "  an  infernal  plot." 

Before,  noon  of  the  same  day  Colonel  Nicholas  Bayard  was  arrested  for 


TRIAL  OF  NICHOLAS  BAYARD  FOR  TREASON.  457 


"  High  Treason,"  and  committed  to  prison.  The  city  militia  were  placed 
on  guard  above  his  cell,  to  prevent  his  being  rescued  by  enraged  friends. 

Philip  French  and  Thomas  Wenham  were  given  six  days  in  1703> 
which  to  produce  the  "  treasonable  addresses."  They  declined,  Jan. 
and,  not  relishing  the  prospect  of  imprisonment,  quietly  left  the  province. 
Attorney-General  Broughton  saw  no  sufficient  ground  for  the  commitment 
of  any  of  the  petitioners ;  he  was  ordered  with  considerable  asperity  to 
give  his  reasons  in  writing  for  such  an  opinion.  He  did  so,  and  Chief 
Justice  Atwood  was  highly  indignant,  and  ordered  the  grand  jury  of  the 
Supreme  Court  to  bring  a  presentment  against  him  for  neglect  of  duty ; 
Weaver,  as  solicitor-general,  put  it  into  a  formal  indictment. 

Bayard  and  Hutchings  were  arraigned,  indicted,  and  tried  for 
high  treason.  They  petitioned  for  a  postponement  of  the  trial 
until  the  usual  sitting  of  the  Supreme  Court,  but,  instead,  a  special  court 
was  ordered  for  February  19.  Samuel  Bayard  prayed  earnestly  that  his 
father  might  have  a  jury  composed  of  Englishmen.  This,  too,  was  with- 
out avail.  Chief  Justice  Atwood  was  on  the  bench,  and  the  associate 
judges  were  Colonel  Abraham  De  Peyster  and  Robert  Walters.  Weaver 
was  the  prosecuting  attorney,  and  insisted  upon  sitting  with  the  jury. 
When  the  gentlemen  of  the  jury  differed  from  him  materially  in  opinion, 
he  threatened  "to  have  them  trounced."  William  Nicolls  and  James 
Emott  appeared  for  the  defense.  They  were  both  remarkable  lawyers 
for  the  times  in  which  they  lived,  but  their  sound  reasoning  and  elo- 
quence were  wasted  on  this  occasion,  the  prisoners  having  been  con- 
demned in  advance  by  both  judge  and  jurors. 

Bayard  pleaded  "  Not  Guilty  "  to  the  charge  of  having  conspired  to 
produce  mutiny  among  the  king's  soldiers  by  persuading  them  to  sign 
"libels"  against  the  government,  and  to  the  other  treasonable  acts  specified. 
The  defense  attempted  to  show  that  the  addresses  were  the  opposite  of 
treasonable,  their  design  being  simply  to  prove  to  the  Lords  of  Trade 
that  the  signers  were  neither  "  Jacobites  "  nor  "  pirates,"  as  had  been  rep- 
resented, but  good  and  loyal  subjects  ready  to  give  up  lives  and  fortunes 
at  any  moment  in  the  king's  service. 

Weaver,  in  a  violent  speech,  charged  the  Englishmen  of  New  York 
with  trying  to  introduce  popery  and  slavery  into  the  province,  and  pro- 
nounced Bayard  the  leader.  He  said  they  were  a  band  of  pirates,  and 
had  offered  the  late  Lord  Bellomont  £  10,000  to  connive  at  their  infamy. 
At  one  stage  of  the  trial  Nicolls  moved  for  an  adjournment  until  the 
next  morning.  "  No,"  responded  the  chief  justice,  "  we  do  not  propose  to 
give  Mr.  Vesey  a  chance  for  another  sermon  against  us."    The  foreman 

of  the  jury  was  the  brother  of  one  of  the  judges  upon  the  bench.  When 
29 


458 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


the  case  was  turned  over  to  them,  they  were  absent  from  the  room  but 
a  few  minutes  before  returning  with  a  verdict  of  Guilty. 

Chief  Justice  Atwood  immediately  proceeded  to  pronounce  the  hor- 
rible Euglish  sentence  upon  traitors  then  in  full  force. 

Bayard  applied  to  Nanfan  for  a  reprieve  until  his  Majesty's  pleasure 
should  be  known.  This  was  denied  unless  he  should  acknowledge  himself 
guilty  of  the  crime  of  treason.  Six  several  petitions  were  in  like  manner 
rejected  by  the  lieutenant-governor.  The  governor  and  prominent  gen- 
tlemen of  the  neighboring  provinces  interceded,  but  to  no  purpose.  The 
day  of  execution  was  fixed.  Of  this  he  was  duly  notified  and  placed  in 
irons.  He  was  forbidden  to  see  his  wife,  children,  or  other  relatives. 
Finally  friends  drew  up  a  petition  worded  so  as  to  express  his  sincere 
sorrow  for  the  offense  of  signing  the  addresses  and  encouraging  others  to 
sign,  and  begging  pardon  for  the  same.  This,  at  the  last  moment,  ob- 
tained a  reprieve,  but  it  did  not  liberate  him  from  prison.  Hutchiugs, 
however,  was  released  on  bail. 

On  the  very  day  that  Colonel  Bayard  was  being  denounced  as  a 
'  traitor,  William  III.  of  England  was  finishing  his  brdliant  career. 
He  had  reigned  a  few  days  over  thirteen  years.  His  death  would  have 
been  a  great  stroke  to  the  nation  at  any  time,  but  at  this  particular  epoch 
nothing  could  have  been  more  unfortunate.  The  insult  of  Louis  XIV., 
who,  upon  the  death  of  James  II.,  a  few  months  before,  had  proclaimed 
that  ex-monarch's  doubtful  son  king  of  England,  rendered  another  war 
inevitable.  William  had  formed  a  great  alliance,  and  was  about  to  con- 
summate a  critical  scheme  of  warfare.  He  desired  to  live  a  little  longer ; 
and  yet  he  met  death  with  calmness  and  without  fear.  He  expressed  his 
firm  faith  in  the  Christian  religion,  and  received  the  sacrament.  His 
last  act  was  to  take  the  hand  of  one  of  his  earliest  friends  and  press  it  to 
his  heart.  When  his  remains  were  prepared  for  the  coffin  it  was  found 
that  he  wore  next  to  his  skin  a  small  piece  of  black  silk  ribbon.  The 
lords  in  waiting  ordered  it  to  be  taken  off.  It  contained  a  gold  ring  and  a 
lock  of  the  hair  of  Mary. 

The  crown,  pursuant  to  previous  Act  of  Parliament,  devolved  on  Anne, 
the  youngest  daughter  of  King  James  by  his  first  marriage.  She  was 
then  in  the  thirty-eighth  year  of  her  age.  The  Privy  Council  waited 
upon  her  in  a  body,  and  she  received  them  in  a  well-considered  speech, 
which  she  pronounced  with  great  distinctness  and  effect.  The  coronation 
took  place  on  the  23d  of  April  (St.  George's  Day) ;  and  Dr.  Sharp,  the 
Archbishop  of  York,  preached  an  appropriate  sermon  on  the  occasion. 
The  Queen  immediately  gave  orders  for  naming  the  electress  of  Bruns- 
wick, in  the  collect  for  the  royal  family,  as  the  next  heir  to  the  crown, 
and  she  formed  a  ministry. 


LORD  CORN  BURY. 


459 


Meanwhile  the  New  York  Assembly  met  in  March  and  hastened  to 
pass  the  celebrated  Leisler  Act.  A  bill  was  also  worried  through  the 
House,  in  spite  of  determined  opposition,  to  outlaw  Philip  French  and 
Thomas  Wenham.  The  other  business  consisted  of  the  passage  of  an  Act 
to  increase  the  number  of  assemblymen  by  five ;  of  an  Act  to  continue 
the  revenue  two  years  longer ;  and  of  several  Acts  of  minor  importance. 
The  House  continued  its  sessions  both  night  and  day  in  order  to  accom- 
plish all  that  was  desired  before  the  possible  arrival  of  a  new  governor. 
A  jury  of  inquiry  returned  estimates  concerning  Livingston's  property, 
and  under  the  conditions  of  an  Act  passed  in  September,  the  whole  of 
his  estate,  real  and  personal,  was  confiscated,  and  he  was  deprived  of  his 
seat  in  the  council  and  of  all  his  other  offices. 

An  arrival  of  importance  created  another  sensation  while  the  city 
was  astir  with  these  remarkable  proceedings.    It  was  Lord  Vis- 

May  3 

count  Cornbury,  and  he  landed  with  much  fuss  and  ceremony.  All 
the  prominent  men  gave  him  an  eager  if  not  a  cordial  welcome.  The 
city  corporation  entertained  him  with  a  grand  banquet.  His  commission 
as  governor  of  New  York  was  duly  published,  and  his  counselors  sworn 
into  office.  His  first  business  was  to  issue  two  proclamations ;  one  for 
continuing  all  civil  and  military  officers  in  their  present  positions  until 
further  notice,  and  the  second  for  dissolving  the  Assembly. 

Edward  Hyde,  Lord  Cornbury,  was  the  grandson  of  the  Earl  of  Clar- 
endon —  the  Lord  Chancellor  and  Prime  Minister  of  Charles  II.  —  and 
the  son  of  the  present  Earl  of  Clarendon,  who  was  the  brother-in-law  of 
James  II.  Thus  the  new  governor  of  New  York  was  the  first  cousin 
of  Queen  Anne,  and  heir  to  an  earldom.  He  had  been  one  of  the  fore- 
most in  setting  an  example  of  defection  in  King  James's  army  by  leading 
a  large  body  of  cavalry,  of  which  he  was  in  command,  to  the  camp  of 
William.  He  had  ever  since  held  important  commissions  under  the 
latter  monarch.  He  had  been  appointed,  and  even  set  sail  for  his  new 
government  before  the  death  of  William.  Queen  Anne  confirmed  his 
commission  immediately  upon  her  accession  to  the  throne.  She  also  for- 
warded him  additional  instructions  relative  to  necessary  and  vigorous 
preparations  for  the  defense  of  the  New  York  frontier  against  the 
French. 

Cornbury  had  been  a  military  chieftain  for  nearly  twenty  years,  but 
of  political  power  he  had  very  little  conception,  except  as  it  emanated 
from  the  self-will  of  a  superior.  He  had  genius  for  exacting  obedience, 
and  order  and  method  were  to  him  literally  "  Heaven's  first  law."  But 
he  was  unfortunately  destitute  of  tact  and  discretion.  He  stood  among 
the  mixed  people  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  like  an  ogre  come  to 


400 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


crush'one  party  and  raise  another.  He  had  no  sympathy  with  the  pri- 
mary notion  of  popular  rights,  he  was  without  true  nobleness  of  heart, 
and  he  was  addicted  to  many  private  vices.  He,  in  short,  illustrated  the 
most  exaggerated  feature  of  aristocratic  arrogance.    Yet  his  coming  was 


the  lawyers  themselves.  The  whole  trial  seemed  to  have  been  con- 
ducted in  an  irregular  manner.  Prisoners  had  been  convicted  and 
sentenced  to  die  for  signing  treasonable  papers,  when  the  papers  them- 
selves at  the  time  of  conviction  had  never  been  seen  by  the  lieutenant- 
governor,  by  any  member  of  his  council,  by  Weaver,  who  filed  the  pros- 
ecution, by  the  grand  jury  who  found  the  bill,  nor  by  the  petty  jury  who 
brought  in  the  verdict  of  guilty.  They  were  to  be  executed  for  supposed 
written  treason,  which  was  never  produced  in  evidence  nor  proved  to  be 
treason. 

Atwood  and  Weaver  found  themselves  standing  in  a  very  odious  light, 
and  both  suddenly  absconded,  notwithstanding  the  latter  was  under  heavy 
bonds  to  render  a  true  account  of  his  Custom-House  collections.  The 
two  were  concealed  in  Virginia  until  they  could  sail  for  England  ;  Atwood 
assuming  the  name  of  Jones,  and  Weaver  that  of  Jackson.  Cornbury 
formally  suspended  them  from  all  their  offices,  and  appointed  Colonel 
Caleb  Heathcote  and  Dr.  John  Bridges  to  succeed  them  in  the  council. 

About  the  same  time  Cornbury  was  petitioned  so  earnestly  by  certain 
parties  that  he  proceeded  to  suspend  De  Peyster,  Dr.  Staats,  and  Robert 
Walters  from  the  council,  on  the  ground  of  their  alleged  activity  in  pro- 
moting disorders  in  the  province.   Dr.  Gerardus  Beekman,  Hip  Van  Dam, 


fortunate  just  at  this  junc- 
ture, else  the  excesses  of  the 
Leislerian  party  would  have 
sowed  discord  beyond  all  hope 
of  future  reconciliation.  Many 
merchants  and  property-own- 
ers had  already  removed  into 
New  Jersey.  They  came  back, 
however,  to  watch  the  effects 
of  the  new  administration. 


Portrait  of  Lord  Cornbury. 


Colonel  Bayard's  case  was 
upon  every  person's  lips,  and 
Cornbury  gave  it  his  first  at- 
tention. He  found  that  Chief 
Justice  Atwood  had  forbid- 
den any  one  from  taking  notes 
in  the  court,  not  excepting 


BAYARD'S  SENTENCE  REVERSED. 


461 


Killian  Van  Rensselaer,  and  Thomas  Wenham  were  sworn  in  their  stead, 
the  latter  having  returned  from  exile. 

Cornbury  was  fully  aware  of  the  feeling  the  various  accounts  of  the 
crime  and  trial  of  Bayard  had  awakened  among  the  Lords  of  Trade.  The 
prisoner  was  known  personally  to  them,  and  party  spirit  was  thoroughly 
understood.  They  had  resolved,  even  before  he  sailed  for  New  York,  that 
Bayard  and  Hutcliings  should  have  a  hearing  before  the  queen  in  council. 
A  letter  to  this  effect  was  written  to  the  Earl  of  Manchester  on  the  first 
day  of  May.  A  royal  order  subsequently  reached  Cornbury  for  the  re- 
lease of  Bayard  on  bail,  and  a  few  months  later  the  queen  by  advice  of 
her  council  reversed  the  sentences  which  had  been  pronounced  upon  both 
Bayard  and  Hutchings,  and  reinstated  them  in  their  property  and  honor 
"  as  if  no  such  trial  had  been." 

It  was  about  the  17th  of  June  that  Cornbury  received  orders  to  pro- 
claim Queen  Anne  in  New  York  and  in  East  and  West  New  Jersey,  and 
the  duty  was  performed  in  the  metropolis  on  the  following  day.  The 
people  of  all  stations  in  life  manifested  the  most  undoubted  loyalty. 

On  Friday,  June  19,  Cornbury  started  for  Burlington,  the  chief 
town  in  West  New  Jersey ;  but,  owing  to  rough  roads,  or,  in  many 
instances,  to  the  want  of  roads  altogether,  he  did  not  reach  his  destination 
until  late  on  Sunday  night.  He  was  received  and  entertained  by  Gov- 
ernor Hamilton,  and  on  Monday  at  eleven  o'clock  the  magistrates  and 
people  were  gathered  together  and  the  new  queen  proclaimed  "  in  the 
same  happy  manner  as  in  New  York."  Cornbury's  plan  was  to  proceed 
to  Amboy,  the  chief  town  in  East  New  Jersey,  but  recent  rains  had 
flooded  the  lowlands,  and  he  was  obliged  to  defer  his  visit  until  a  later 
day. 

He  had  scarcely  reached  New  York  on  his  return  than  he  was  appalled 
by  the  amount  of  sickness  which  prevailed.  The  small-pox  had  raged  all 
the  spring,  and  now  the  yellow  fever  was  sweeping  over  the  city.  Few 
persons  who  were  attacked  recovered.  He  made  great  haste  to  remove 
his  family  to  a  place  of  safety.  Lady  Cornbury1  was  an  invalid,  and  they 
had  three  young  children.  Jamaica,  Long  Island,  was  where  they  finally 
took  up  their  quarters  for  the  summer.  There  were  but  few  good  houses 
in  that  little  village,  and  the  Presbyterian  minister,  E.ev.  Mr.  Hubbard, 
offered  his  new  parsonage  to  the  governor,  and  with  a  large  family  sought 
more  humble  and  less  convenient  accommodations. 

1  Lady  Cornbury  was  Katharine,  daughter  of  Lord  O'Brien,  who  was  himself  the  son  of 
the  Karl  of  Richmond  in  Ireland.  She  was  married  to  Lord  Cornbury  in  1688.  Upon  the 
death  of  her  mother,  Lady  O'Brien,  she  became  Baroness  Clifton,  of  Leightou  Bromswold, 
Warwickshire,  England. 


462  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Cornbury  was  an  Episcopalian,  and  loved  the  church  as  a  religion  of 

state  subordinate  to  executive  power.  In  common  with  many  others  of 
his  time  he  believed  that  its  establishment  in  the  colonies  would  be  a  safe- 
guard against  popery.  There  were  a  few  Episcopalians  in  Jamaica,  but 
they  had  no  place  of  worship.  The  town  had  been  settled  chiefly  by  New 
England  Puritans,  although  there  was  an  occasional  Dutch  planter  in  the 
neighborhood.  The  little  church  edifice  had  been  built  by  vote  of  the 
town,  and  the  minister's  salary  was  raised  in  the  same  manner.  As  soon 
as  it  was  practicable  a  substantial  dwelling  for  a  parsonage  had  been  added 
to  the  church  property.  When  the  famous  Ministry  Act  was  passed,  in 
1693,  the  few  Episcopalians,  who  as  townsmen  contributed  their  yearly 
dues  for  the  support  of  the  gospel,  made  investigations  to  learn  whether 
the  Presbyterians  had  really  any  better  claim  to  the  church  property  than 
any  other  sect,  and  came  to  the  conclusion  that  it  was  held  simply  by 
virtue  of  priority  of  possession.  As  soon  as  Lord  Cornbury  came  among 
them,  a  consultation  took  place  which  resulted  in  a  determination  to 
wrest  the  sacred  edifice,  parsonage,  etc.,  from  the  Presbyterians  altogether. 
Consequently,  one  Sabbath  afternoon,  between  the  morning  and  the  even- 
ing service,  a  few  zealous  churchmen  obtained  the  key,  and  took  the  sanc- 
tuary captive.  The  next  day  the  outraged  Presbyterians  gathered  round 
the  building,  and  forcibly  entered  it,  tearing  up  the  seats  and  otherwise 
mutilating  the  interior.  The  Episcopalians  rallied  in  as  large  a  force  as 
possible,  countenanced  by  Cornbury,  and,  rushing  into  the  church,  turned 
out  the  enemy  in  a  violent  manner.  The  battle  was  a  serious  one,  several 
persons  being  wounded.  But,  as  the  governor  was  within  a  stone's-throw 
of  the  belligerents,  and,  his  own  servants  taking  an  active  part  in  the  fray, 
it  is  no  matter  of  wonder  that  the  Episcopalians  were  left  masters  of  the 
field.  Long  and  tedious  litigations  followed ;  many  of  the  Presbyterians 
were  prosecuted  for  damages  to  the  building,  and  several  men  among 
them  were  heavily  fined,  and  imprisoned.  It  was  not  until  1728,  that 
the  colonial  courts  finally  decided  that  the  church  edifice  belonged  to  the 
Presbyterians ;  and  it  was  restored  to  that  denomination. 

Cornbury  presented  the  parsonage  to  the  Episcopacy,  when  the  summer 
was  over  and  he  about  to  return  to  the  city.  The  glebe  he  turned  over  to 
the  sheriff,  who  laid  it  out  in  building-lots,  and  farmed  it  for  the  benefit 
of  the  church. 

The  fatal  sickness  of  this  summer  deprived  New  York  of  more  than 
five  hundred  of  her  citizens.  Meanwhile  Cornbury  was  not  neglectful  of 
the  Indians,  but  for  whom  New  York  would  have  been  at  the  mercy  of 
the  French.  He  went  to  Albany  on  the  5th  of  <Tuly,  and  five  days  later 
the  sachems  of  the  Five  Nations  and  delegations  from  the  river  tribes 


LADY  BELLOMONT. 


463 


met  him  in  solemn  conference.  The  chain  of  friendship  was  polished 
anew  with  the  customary  gifts  from  the  government,  such  as  guns,  ket- 
tles, blankets,  knives,  beer,  bread,  powder,  and  rum.  One  of  the  sachems 
rose  and  requested  that  the  rum  might  be  put  in  some  secure  place  until 
after  the  business  of  the  meeting  was  all  transacted,  lest  his  people  fall  to 
drinking.  It  was  accordingly  lodged  in  Robert  Livingston's  cellar.  Peter 
Schuyler  and  Robert  Livingston  were  Cornbury's  efficient  aids,  as  indeed 
they  had  been  the  interpreters  and  tutors  of  every  royal  governor,  as  far  as 
Indian  affairs  were  concerned,  for  a  long  series  of  years.  The  sachems 
promised  to  report  any  hostile  movement  on  the  part  of  the  enemy  which 
should  come  within  their  knowledge,  and  to  be  subject  at  all  times  to 
the  advice  of  their  white  leaders.  Cornbury  saw  indications,  however,  of 
defection  on  the  part  of  some  of  the  northern  tribes,  and  it  was  believed 
that  they  would  eventually  go  over  to  the  French.  He  consequently 
wrote  to  the  Lords  of  Trade  that,  in  his  opinion,  the  only  way  to  protect 
New  York  was  to  drive  the  French  out  of  Canada. 

As  for  Livingston,  Cornbury  was  cordially  determined  to  see  him  justi- 
fied before  the  world.  An  application  was  made  to  Lady  Bellomont  for 
such  accounts  and  vouchers  as  her  late  husband  had  transferred  from  the 
hands  of  his  clerk  to  his  own  possession,  shortly  before  his  death ;  they 
were  obtained  and  proved  effectual  in  removing  the  aspersions  from  Liv- 
ingston's character.  His  estates  were  restored  in  February,  1703,  and 
two  years  later  a  commission  from  Queen  Anne  reinstated  him  in  all  his 
former  appointments  and  honors. 

Lady  Bellomont  left  the  city  upon  the  first  appearance  of  the  fatal 
epidemic.  She  obtained  quarters  at  a  little  farm-house  on  Long  Island 
until  she  could  make  arrangements  to  sail  for  Europe.  All  at  once  she 
was  accused  of  having  in  her  possession  money  belonging  to  the  govern- 
ment, which  had  not  been  accounted  for  by  the  late  governor.  She  was 
not  allowed  to  start  on  her  voyage  until  she  had  given  bonds  to  the 
amount  of  £  10,000  for  her  appearance  in  New  York  in  the  following 
April  to  answer  to  the  charges  against  her.  She  immediately  upon  her 
arrival  in  England  petitioned  the  queen  for  an  investigation  of  her  affairs. 
She  emphatically  denied  all  the  charges  which  had  been"  "manufactured," 
and  asked  for  an  order  to  collect  large  arrears  in  Lord  Bellomont's  salary. 

Nan  fan  made  arrangements  to  remove  to  Barbadoes,  but  the  course  of 
his  career  did  not  run  smoothly.  His  wife  and  children  were  safely  em- 
barked on  the  vessel,  when  he  was  arrested  on  a  charge!  of  not  having 
accounted  for  the  public  money  which  had  been  in  his  bands;  and  also 
on  another  charge  lor  having  countenanced  and  abetted  arbitral)  ar- 
rests while  in  power,    lie  was  thrown  into  prison,  and  his  family  pro- 


4tf4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


ceeded  to  their  destination  without  him.  He  remained  in  close  confine- 
ment one  year  and  a  half.  The  Lords  of  Trade  finally  ordered  his  release 
on  bail.  Plans  were  matured  to  re-arrest  him,  and  he  only  escaped  by 
taking  refuge  on  a  man-of-war  in  the  harbor,  and  proceeded  in  a  shabbily 
clad  and  despondent  condition  to  England.  Fraud  was  never  proven  in 
his  case ;  he  suffered  the  disgrace  with  none  of  the  perquisites.  No  one 
pretended  to  hold  him  responsible  for  the  atrocious  proceedings  of  the 
last  few  months.  He  was  young  and  inexperienced,  and  very  much 
under  the  influence  of  Atwood  and  Weaver.  Even  Cornbury  exonerated 
him  from  blame,  and  fixed  the  stigma  upon  the  flying  ex-chief-justice 
and  certain  members  of  the  council. 

The  Lords  of  Trade  were  astonished  when  they  learned  that  the  New 
York  Assembly  had  passed  the  Leisler  Act  for  reparation  of  damages 
claimed  to  have  been  sustained  during  the  Revolution !  They 

uly14'  immediately  sent  Cornbury  their  former  instructions  to  Bello- 
mont,  which  they  had  intended  should  be  a  guide  to  Nanlan  as  well, 
and  ordered,  peremptorily,  that  no  such  irregular  proceeding  should  be  al- 
lowed. They  also  forwarded  the  queen's  order  in  council  for  the  restora- 
tion of  Attorney-General  Broughton  to  the  execution  of  his  official  duties, 
the  queen  deeming  it  unfit  that  any  person  should  lie  punished  for 
giving  his  opinion  in  matters  which  had  been  referred  to  him.  Brough- 
ton was  subsequently  made  one  of  the  governor's  council. 

About  the  same  time  Cornbury  received  a  formal  commission  to  govern 
New  Jersey,  the  proprietors  having  surrendered  all  their  powers  to  the 
queen.  East  and  West  New  Jersey  were  henceforth  united  into  one  prov- 
ince. Counselors  were  named  from  among  the  most  prominent  inhabitants. 
An  Assembly  was  elected  by  the  majority  of  freeholders,  as  in  New  York, 
which  was  to  sit  first  at  Perth  Amboy,  then  at  Burlington,  and  afterwards 
alternate  between  the  two  places.  All  voters  must  possess  at  least  one 
hundred  acres  of  real  estate,  or  personal  property  to  the  amount  of  £50. 
Liberty  of  conscience  was  granted  to  all  persons  except  papists,  and  the 
solemn  affirmation  of  the  Quakers  was  to  be  taken  instead  of  an  oath. 
Cornbury  was  directed  to  take  special  care  "that  Cod  Almighty  be 
devoutly  and  duly  served,"  and  that  ministers  of  the  Church  of  England 
should  be  furnished  with  a  parsonage  and  glebe  at  the  common  charge. 
He  was  also  instructed  to  encourage  traffic  in  merchantable  negroes, 
which  the  African  Company  in  England  would  furnish  at  moderate 
rates. 

Even  during  that  summer  of  distress  (1702)  while  Cornbury  was  in  the 
cosey  enjoyment  of  the  Jamaica  parsonage,  the  elections  were  .stirring  up  the 
old  strife  through  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  province.    Philip  French 


DEATH  OF  FREDERICK  PHIL  IPSE. 


465 


was  chosen  a  member  of  the  new  Assembly,1  and  in  October  of  the  same 
year  appointed  mayor  of  the  city.  Stephen  De  Lancey,  Jacobus  Van 
Cortlandt,  and  Henry  Beekman  were  also  elected  to  the  Assembly,  and 
William  Nicolls  was  chosen  speaker.  The  House  met  at  Jamaica,  and 
accomplished  no  little  business.  It  continued  the  revenue  for  seven 
years;  voted  £1,800  for  the  defense  of  the  frontiers;2  raised  £2,000  as 
a  present  to  Cornbury  tow  ards  defraying  the  expenses  of  his  voyage  ; 
passed  an  Act  for  disciplining  slaves  who  had  become  insolent  and  unman- 
ageable; an  Act  for  destroying  wolves  in  New  York;  an  Act  for  settling 
the  militia;  an  Act  to  appoint  commissioners  to  examine  the  accounts 
and  debts  of  the  province  ;  an  Act  for  maintaining  the  poor  of  the  city; 
an  Act  for  establishing  a  free  grammar  school  in  the  city ;  an  Act  to 
enable  the  city  to  supply  the  vacancy  when  officers  should  be  removed 
by  death ;  and  an  Act  for  repealing  some  of  the  previous  Acts  of  the 
Assembly.  In  reference  to  the  money  raised  as  a  present  for  Cornbury, 
it  is  worthy  of  note  that  within  the  next  twelve  mouths  the  queen 
issued  an  order  forbidding  any  similar  gifts  to  governors  in  any  part  of 
the  British  dominions. 

Colonel  William  Smith  resumed  his  seat  in  the  council,  and  was  again 
made  chief  justice  of  the  province.    One  of  the  first  acts  of  Mayor 
French  was  to  cause  the  arms  of  the  late  Lord  Bellomont  and  of 
Nanfan  to  be  torn  from  the  wall  of  the  new  City  Hall  on  Wall  Street, 
and  broken  in  fragments  by  the  city  marshal. 

The  very  next  morning  the  Garden  Street  Church  bell  solemnly  tolled 
the  intelligence  that  Frederick  Philipse  had  suddenly  died  at  Philipse 
Manor.  He  was  in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age.  For  more  than 
half  a  century  he  had  been  intimately  associated  with  every  event  of  any 
note  in  city  or  province.  He  was  called  the  "  Dutch  millionaire."  But 
although  classed  among  the  "grandees,"  he  had  incurred  comparatively 
little  political  enmity,  and  was  not  denounced  as  a  wholesale  foe  to  all 
the  rights  of  humanity,  as  were  many  of  his  contemporaries.  Philipse- 
borough  (or  Philipse  Manor),  where  he  resided  the  greater  part  of  every 
year,  was  under  high  cultivation.  At  the  time  he  obtained  the  royal 
charter  (in  1693)  which  gave  him  all  the  privileges  and  powers  of  a 
lord,  the  ferry,  island,  and  meadow  had  been  confirmed  to  his  property, 

1  The  Act  of  the  late  Assembly  outlawing  Philip  French  had  been  annulled  by  the  English 
Lords. 

2  The  raising  of  this  money  was  as  follows  :  each  of  the  royal  council  must  pay  a  poll-tax 
of  40 .?.  ;  each  member  of  the  House,  20 s.  ;  every  lawyer  in  practice,  20  s.  ;  every  man  wearing 
a  periwig,  5s.  6  d.  ;  every  bachelor  over  twenty-five  years  of  age,  2.?.  3  d.  ;  every  freeman, 
between  sixteen  and  sixty  years,  \)  d.  ;  owners  of  slaves  for  each,  Is. 

30 


466 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


also  the  right  to  build  a  bridge  over  "  Spiken-devil  ferry,"  as  it  was  then 
called,  and  collect  toll  from  passengers.  The  bridge  was  named  Kings 
Bridge.  Philipse  commanded  the  same  respect  in  New  York  which  was 
accorded  to  men  of  his  standing  in  England.  He  presided  with  baronial 
ceremonies  in  the  administration  of  justice  among  his  tenantry.  He  had 
two  great  rent-days,  on  which  he  feasted  his  people,  —  one  at  the  Yonkers 


Philipse  Manor-house. 

portion  of  Philipseborough  and  the  other  at  Sleepy  Hollow.  His  manor- 
house  was  a  grand  edifice  for  the  times,  although  it  was  enlarged  subse- 
quently. Its  rooms  were  spacious,  with  richly  ornamented  ceilings,  and 
its  hall  immensely  broad,  with  an  imported  staircase,  which  is  still  in 
existence.  A  beautiful  lawn  sloped  gradually  to  the  very  edge  of  the 
Hudson,  which  was  dotted  with  fine  specimens  of  foreign  trees  brought 
from  the  different  climes  by  the  great  merchant's  vessels.  A  fine  park 
was  stocked  with  deer ;  and  gardens,  filled  with  fruits,  shrubs,  and  flow- 
ers, extended  to  a  great  distance  to  the  north  and  south  of  the  dwelling. 
At  the  time  of  Philipse's  death  the  household  embraced  over  forty  negro 
slaves.  Forty-five  years  later,  the  servants  or  slaves  required  to  keep  the 
princely  establishment  in  running  order  numbered  fifty. 

When  Bellomont  set  his  face  like  steel  against  the  tendency  to  feudal- 
ism in  New  York,  he  had  no  personal  dislike  to  Philipse.  They  met  in 
social  intercourse,  and  were  friendly.  Bellomont  suspected  Philipse  of 
trading  with  the  pirates,  but  he  had  no  grounds  upon  which  to  frame  an 
accusation.  He  never  attempted  to  do  so  except  on  one  occasion,  and 
then  with  characteristic  reticence  and  cold  resentment  Philipse  retired 
from  any  further  part  in  public  affairs.  Bellomont  was  almost  a  mono- 
maniac in  the  matter  of  curtailing  landed  estates,  because  he  firmly  be* 
lieved  that  great  wealth  in  a  few  men  was  not  conducive  to  the  prosperity 


FREDERICK  PHILIPSE'S  WILL. 


467 


of  an  infant  colony.  There  is  more  than  one  light  in  which  to  regard 
that  question.  As  for  New  York,  it  is  very  apparent  that  she  is  indebted 
largely  for  her  present  commercial  importance  to  the  tireless  activity  and 
remarkable  energy  of  those  men  who  accumulated  private  fortunes  prior 
to  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century.  Modern  improvements  and 
business  facilities  were  not  yet  introduced  into  our  country ;  the  services 
of  these  same  stirring  men  were  constantly 
required  in  the  administration  of  govern- 
ment ;  and  they  were  liable  with  every  turn 
of  the  political  wheel  to  be  thrown  into  the 
slough.  They  were  obliged  also  to  perforin 
military  duty,  and  wars  and  rumors  of  wars 
were  perpetual.  Their  money  in  a  multi- 
tude of  instances  saved  the  credit  of  the 
colony.  Advances  were  constantly  needed, 
for  taxes  were  collected  with  difficulty  at 
all  times,  and  the  expenses  of  a  long-drawn- 

.  Castle  Phllipse  (Tarrytown.) 

out  war  can  never  be  properly  estimated. 

The  contents  of  well-filled  purses  encouraged  the  tradespeople,  having  a 
similar  effect  to  rain  upon  growing  crops ;  a  drouth  is  always  fatal,  but 
a  shower  is  a  blessing  even  if  it  cause  a  freshet  occasionally  when  and 
where  water  is  not  needed.  The  same  wise  power  which  gathers  the 
mists  loosens  the  rain-clouds  and  distributes  the  drops.  New  York  re- 
ceived her  mercantile  impetus  through  the  spirit  which  Bellomont  found 
so  formidable,  when  he  began  to  question  the  motives  and  investigate  the 
means  by  which  men  enrich  themselves. 

Frederick  Philipse  left  by  his  will  a  valuable  house  and  lot  in  the  city, 
and  a  mortgage  of  Dominie  Selyns,  to  his  daughter  Eve,  who  was  the  wife 
of  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt ;  another  daughter  was  the  wife  of  Philip 
French,  who  received  a  house  and  lot  in  the  city,  and  an  estate  in  Ber- 
gen. An  immense  tract  of  land  at  the  Upper  Mills  in  Westchester 
County,  and  other  real  estate  was  given  to  his  son  Adolphe  Philipse ;  and 
the  manor  of  Philipseborough  descended  to  his  grandson,  Frederick  Phil- 
ipse, whose  i'ather,  Philip  Philipse,  had  died  some  two  years  before. 

The  winter  was  spent  by  Cornbury  in  examining  into  the  resources  of 
the  province,  and  answering  the  inquiries  of  the  Lords  of  Trade. 

.  .  1703 

But  he  lacked  the  persistent  industry  of  his  two  predecessors,  was 
given  to  frivolous  amusements,  would  often  dress  himself  in  women's 
clothes  to  show  his  remarkable  resemblance  to  Queen  Anne,  and  he  spent 
many  hours  of  each  day  at  cards.    He  was  excessively  prodigal  in  the 
use  of  money,  and  he  was  negligent  about  paying  his  debts.    The  gen- 


468 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


tlemen  of  the  council  had  counted  upon  his  ability  and  good  sense,  and 
were  mortified  and  disgusted  with  his  exhibition  of  weakness  and  eccen- 
tricity. 

When  the  Assembly  met  in  the  spring,  Cornbury  proposed  the  raising 
of  a  sum  of  money  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  two  stone  batteries  at 
the  Narrows,  where  the  sea  is  not  quite  a  mile  broad.  It  would  render 
the  port  safe  from  a  hostile  attack  by  water,  since  no  ship  could  pass  that 
point,  and  the  logic  was  unanswerable.  The  House  voted  £  1,500,  but  the 
question  of  appointing  a  treasurer  to  hold  the  money  separate  from  the 
other  public  funds  was  argued  at  considerable  length,  greatly  to  the  dis- 
comfiture of  the  governor.  The  reflection  upon  his  honor  met  with  a 
sharp  rebuke.  The  House  responded  courteously  through  its  speaker, 
William  Nicolls,  giving  a  diagnosis  of  the  money  accounts  during  the 
year  past ;  these  had  been  examined  from  time  to  time  by  the  legislators, 
according  to  the  queen's  directions,  and  the  result  was  the  discovery  that 
considerable  sums  which  had  been  raised  by  the  people  for  the  defense  of 
New  York  had  been  otherwise  appropriated.  Nicolls,  in  behalf  of  the  As- 
sembly, explained  the  situation  and  cautiously  added,  "  Your  lordship  will 
no  doubt  take  care  to  see  those  mistakes  rectified."  He  then  went  on  to 
disclaim  any  desire  of  introducing  innovations,  but,  the  House  having  been 
entrusted  by  the  people  of  the  province  with  the  care  of  their  natural  and 
civil  liberties  as  Englishmen,  it  was  a  high  duty  to  obey  their  wishes  and 
protect  their  property  rights,  particularly  when  these  same  people  "  had 
literally  outdone  all  mankind,  and  it  was  feared  themselves,  by  the  con- 
stant paying  of  taxes  for  the  prosecution  of  the  tiresome  war." 

One  of  the  Acts  passed  at  this  session  of  the  Assembly  prohibited  the 
distilling  of  rum,  and  the  burning  of  oyster-shells  or  stone  into  lime  with- 
in half  a  mile  of  the  City  Hall  in  Wall  Street,  as  it  was  believed  that 
business  had  much  increased  the  mortality  of  the  preceding  summer. 
Another  Act,  of  same  date,  enabled  the  French  Church  to  erect  a  suitable 
edifice  for  public  worship ;  which  was  accomplished  the  following  year. 
It  was  located  in  Pine  Street,  and  was  called  Du  Saint  Esprit.1  The 
first  pastor  was  Rev.  James  Laborie.  The  Huguenots  who  had  settled 
upon  Staten  Island  came  over  in  frail  canoes  to  attend  Sabbath  worship, 
as  did  many  from  Long  Island  until  such  time  as  they  were  strong  enough 
to  build  churches  of  their  own. 

William  Peartree  was  the  mayor  of  the  city  in  1703,  and  re- 
1704"  tained  the  position  until  1707.    He  was  an  English  West  Indian 
merchant,  who  removed  to  New  York  in  1700  from  Jamaica,  W.  I.  His 
place  of  business  was  on  Beaver  Street,  where  he  also  built  a  fine  resi' 
1  See  page  329  for  a  sketch  of  this  church. 


THE  NEW  JERSEY  ASSEMBLY. 


469 


dence.  He  was  a  man  of  education,  and  interested  himself  in  the  estab- 
lishment and  improvement  of  institutions  of  learning.  A  free  grammar 
school  had  been  for  a  long  time  in  contemplation,  and  Peartree  was  chiefly 
instrumental  in  its  final  accomplishment ;  Andrew  Clarke  was  employed 
as  teacher.  About  the  same  time  the  first  effort  was  made  in  New  York 
for  the  instruction  of  negro  slaves.  A  catechizing  school  was  opened 
for  them  by  Eev.  Mr.  Vesey.  The  jail  was  remodeled  during  the  winter 
and  rendered  more  secure  for  felons ;  and  a  debtors'  prison  was  arranged 
in  the  upper  story  of  the  City  Hall.  It  was  a  rough  room  with  coarse 
board  partitions,  without  chairs,  warmth,  or  comforts  of  any  sort  whatever. 
It  remained  substantially  in  the  same  condition  for  three  fourths  of  a  cen- 
tury. The  punishment  for  a  petty  thief  was  to  burn  into  the  left  cheek 
near  the  nose  the  letter  "  T." 

The  people  of  New  Jersey  were  disappointed  in  Cornbury,  as  well  as 
those  of  New  York.  His  rather  handsome  face  and  bland  manners  at- 
tracted them  at  first,  but  his  demand  for  an  annual  salary  of  £  2,000  per 
annum  for  twenty  years  produced  a  sudden  shock,  like  that  of  an  earth- 
quake. The  stiff  Quaker,  Samuel  Jennings,  turned  abruptly  upon  him 
with  the  quaint  remark,  "  Then  thee  must  be  very  needy." 

The  New  Jersey  Assembly  had  been  accustomed  to  raise  oidy  moderate 
sums  for  the  support  of  the  government,  and,  after  much  debate,  voted 
£  1,300  per  annum  for  three  years.  Cornbury  was  very  angry,  and  when 
he  found  that  he  could  not  manage  affairs,  he  dissolved  the  body.  A  new 
Assembly  was  elected,  which  was  more  pliable,  and  granted  the  £  2,000 
salary,  but  cautiously,  for  two  years.  This  partial  triumph  would  hardly 
have  been  accomplished  had  not  Cornbury  refused  to  admit  three  of  the 
most  important  and  intelligent  of  the  newly  elected  members  to  their 
seats,  on  the  feigned  ground  that  their  estates  were  not  as  large  as  the 
royal  instructions  required. 

Lewis  Morris  was  one  of  the  members  of  Cornbury's  New  Jersey  coun- 
cil. He  had  spent  some  time  in  England,  where  he  had  been  one  of  the 
warmest  advocates  for  the  surrender  of  the  proprietary  government  to  the 
crown.  The  Lords  of  Trade  were  so  much  pleased  with  him  that  he  re- 
ceived the  first  nomination  for  the  governorship  of  New  Jersey.  But  the 
original  intention  of  giving  the  province  an  executive  of  its  own  was 
abandoned,  and  New  Jersey  was  placed  with  New  York  under  the  admin- 
istration of  Cornbury. 

Lewis  Morris  was  at  this  time  a  dashing  and  somewhat  erratic  young 
man  of  thirty-three.  His  life  had  been  a  singular  one.  His  father,  Rich- 
ard Morris,  had  been  active  in  the  service  of  Cromwell,  and  found  refuge 
in  New  York  upon  the  restoration  of  Charles  II. ;  he  obtained  through 


470 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Governor  Stuyvesant,  about  the  year  1661,  a  grant  of  over  three  thou- 
sand acres  of  land  upon  the  northern  side  of  the  Harlem  River,  with 
baronial  privileges,  and  built  a  comfortable  homestead.  The  property 
was  called  Morrisania.  When  his  only  and  infant  son  Lewis  was  six 
months  of  age,  his  wife  sickened  and  died,  and  he  shortly  followed 
her.  The  orphan  babe  was  thus  left  to  the  care  of  entire  strangers, 
and  the  government  of  New  York  assumed  charge  by  appointing  guar- 
dians to  protect  his  interests.  In  1674  Colonel  Lewis  Morris,  an  elder 
brother  of  Eichard  Morris,  removed  from  Barbadoes  to  New  York, 
and  became  the  guardian  of  his  nephew.  He  resided  in  Morrisania,  but 
he  purchased  some  four  thousand  acres  of  land  in  Monmouth  County, 
New  Jersey,  upon  which  he  located  iron-mills ;  he  also  built  a  manor- 
house,  and  various  buildings  for  his  dependents,  who  in  1680  numbered 
seventy  or  more.  Upon  his  death  in  1691,  this  property  fell  to  young 
Lewis,  which,  together  with  the  large  estate  of  his  father,  made  him  a 
very  rich  man.1 

He  had  been  a  willful  and  capricious  boy,  given  to  all  manner  of  mis- 
chievous pranks,  and  had  been  renowned  for  playing  practical  jokes  upon 
his  best  friends.  He  had  defied  the  restraints  of  schools  and  tutors,  and 
finally  ran  away,  and  supported  himself  for  some  time  in  the  capacity  of 
a  scrivener  on  the  island  of  Jamaica.  At  twenty  he  was  in  New  York 
again,  and  in  full  assumption  of  the  airs  and  graces  of  manhood  was 
paying  court  to  Isabella,  the  beautiful  daughter  of  Hon.  James  Graham. 
They  were  married  on  the  3d  of  November,  1691. 

Where  Lewis  Morris  studied  law  is  unknown.  His  first  appearance 
in  public  life  was  as  one  of  the  judges  of  the  Court  of  Common  Right 
in  East  New  Jersey.  He  was  also  one  of  the  counselors  of  Governor 
Hamilton.  He  was  gifted  with  a  certain  amount  of  discernment  into 
men's  characters  and  springs  of  action,  which  subsequently  won  him  a 
brilliant  reputation  at  the  bar.  He  possessed  a  mind  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary vigor  and  originality,  which,  in  connection  with  great  peculiarity 
of  temper,  bluntness  of  speech,  and  curtness  of  manner,  rendered  him 
as  attractive  to  his  friends  as  he  was  obnoxious  to  his  enemies.  He  wafl 
an  adept  in  the  wily  intrigues  of  colonial  politics.  His  opinions  were 
always  advanced  with  emphasis  and  maintained  with  spirit. 

From  the  day  that  Lewis  Morris  first  met  Lord  Cornlmry  lie  enter- 
tained for  him  the  most  scornful  contempt.    When  measures  were  in- 

1  "Mr.  Mompesson,  our  chief  justice,  is  (lend.  I  have  commissioned  Lewis  Morris,  Esqr. 
in  his  room  for  these  reasons  amongst  others,  that  ho  is  a  sensible,  honest  man,  and  ablo  to 
live  without  a  salary,  which  they  will  most  certainly  never  grant  to  any  in  that  station,  at 
least  sufficient  to  maintain  his  clerk.  —  Postscript  of  a  letter  from  Governor  JliuUcr  to  Que  Lords 
of  Trade,  March  28,  1715.    Col.  JJisl.  N.  Y.,  VoL  V.  p.  400. 


CHIEF  JUSTICE  ROGER  MOMPESSON. 


471 


troduced  inttf  the  council  which  Morris  conceived  prejudicial  to  the 
interests  of  the  province,  he  assailed  them  in  a  determined  manner,  and 
oftentimes  with  the  most  stinging  ridicule,  until  Cornbury,  finally,  in 
sheer  self-defense  suspended  him  from  office. 

Ingoldsby  returned  to  New  York  in  the  early  part  of  1704,  with  a 
commission  as  lieutenant-governor  under  Cornbury.  But  the  two  did 
not  agree.  And,  one  complaint  after  another  reaching  the  Lords  of  Trade, 
they  at  last  revoked  the  appointment. 

Meanwhile  Queen  Anne  had  given  her  attention  to  the  condition 
of  Trinity  Church.    The  kino's  farm,  which  had  created  so  much 

J  °  .  1705. 

painful  disturbance  through  the  generous  granting  of  its  use  by 
Fletcher  to  the  struggling  corporation,  was  augmented  by  the  addition  of 
the  Anetje  Jans  estate,  and  formally  presented  by  deed  patent,  signed 
by  Lord  Cornbury,  to  this  church.  It  was  only  a  farm  at  the  time,  and 
comparatively  of  little  value,  but  it  has  long  since  become  a  compact 
portion  of  the  city. 

Colonel  William  Smith  died  at  St.  George  Manor,  just  after  the  open- 
ing of  the  new  year.  He  had  retired  from  the  office  of  chief  justice 
nearly  two  years  before,  but  had  continued  to  meet  with  the  governor's 
council  until  within  a  few  weeks.  Dr.  Bridges  succeeded  him  as  chief 
justice  ;  but  he  filled  the  office  only  for  a  brief  period,  his  death  occurring 
not  far  from  that  of  Colonel  Smith. 

Roger  Mompesson  (the  seventh  chief  justice  of  New  York)  was  ap- 
pointed in  his  stead.  He  was  a  new  arrival.  He  was  an  English  lawyer 
of  ability,  who  had  been  recorder  of  Southampton,  and  a  member  of  two 
Parliaments.  He  was  descended  from  Rev.  William  Mompesson,  who 
was  Rector  of  Eyam,  Derbyshire,  during  the  plague  of  1666.  He  became 
involved  through  engagements  to  pay  some  of  his  father's  debts,  and 
found  it  convenient  to  accept  a  judicial  appointment  which  would  bring 
him  -to  America.  He  was  sworn  into  the  New  York  council,  and  con- 
tinued a  member  of  that  body  until  his  death.  He  was  appointed  chief 
justice  of  New  Jersey  as  well  as  New  York,  and  held  the  office,  with  the 
exception  of  the  few  months  of  Lord  Lovelace's  administration,  also  until 
his  death.  In  1706  he  was  sworn  chief  justice  of-  Pennsylvania,  but  it 
does  not  appear  that  he  sat  on  the  bench  of  that  colony.  His  wide  ex- 
perience and  sound  legal  acumen  enabled  him  to  do  more  than  almost  any 
other  man  towards  molding  the  judicial  system  of  both  New  York  and 
New  Jersey.1  John  Barbarie  and  Adolphe  Philipse  were  appointed  to 
fill  vacancies  in  the  council,  and  a  little  later  Mayor  William  Peartree 

1  Roger  Mompesson  married  Martha,  the  daughter  of  Judge  William  Pinhorne,  of  Snake 
Hill,  New  Jersey.    He  had  one  son,  Pinhorne  Mompesson. 


472 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


was  added  to  the  number  in  place  of  Attorney-General  Broughton 
deceased. 

The  great  excitement  of  the  summer  of  1705,  was  the  discovery  of  an 
enormous  tooth  in  the  side  of  a  hill  near  Claverack  on  the  Hudson.  It 
weighed  four  and  three-fourths  pounds,  and  had  the  appearance  of  having 
been  taken  from  a  human  skull.  Other  bones  were  found,  which,  how- 
ever, crumbled  on  exposure  to  the  air.  One,  supposed  to  be  a  thigh  bone, 
measured  seventeen  feet  in  length.  The  event  was  recorded  as  the  first 
discovery  of  a  mammoth  in  America.  Eighty  years  afterwards  the  bones 
of  the  great  beast  were  found  in  Ulster  County,  and  Charles  William 
Peale  formed  his  skeleton  for  the  museum. 

Hardly  had  the  sensation  died  away  created  by  the  marvelous  tooth 
when  a  riot  occurred  which  was  something  startling.  Captain  Cleaver^ 
a  noted  privateer,  brought  a  Spanish  man-of-war  into  port  which  he  had 
captured  after  a  desperate  struggle.  The  crew  were  elated  by  their  vic- 
tory, and  under  the  influence  of  poor  wine  paraded  the  streets  singing 
songs  and  uttering  coarse  and  vulgar  jests.  The  sheriff  attempted  to 
check  them,  and  they  fell  upon  him  with  drunken  fury.  He  escaped  to  his 
house,  which  they  surrounded,  and,  not  being  able  to  force  an  entrance, 
they  assaulted  every  person  who  came  to  his  assistance.  Two  army  offi- 
cers, who  were  in  advance  of  the  soldiers  dispatched  from  the  fort,  were 
attacked  and  one  killed,  while  the  other  was  dangerously  wounded.  The 
soldiers  put  the  sailors  to  flight,  leaving  one  of  their  number  dying  in  the 
street.  The  sailor  who  killed  the  officer  was  arrested,  tried,  and  executed 
for  the  murder. 

In  the  midst  of  these  scenes  a  French  privateer  suddenly  entered  the 
harbor.  The  city  was  thrown  into  a  great  state  of  consternation.  The 
batteries  at  the  Narrows,  which  were  to  prevent  such  a  catastrophe,  had 
not  been  erected,  notwithstanding  the  appropriation  of  £1,500  two  years 
before !  "  Misappropriation "  rang  in  Cornbury's  ears.  He  highly  re- 
sented the  imputation,  and  said  the  money  had  never  been  collected. 
There  was  almost  a  panic.  The  mayor  and  common  council  petitioned 
the  Assembly  for  help  in  the  work  of  fortifications,  and  Cornbury  himself 
talked  forcibly  on  the  subject.  The  House,  meanwhile,  was  having  a 
tempest  within  itself.  Some  of  the  members  declared  that  the  body  was 
invested  with  the  same  powers  as  the  House  of  Commons.  They  even 
went  so  far  as  to  deny  the  right  of  the  governor  and  council  to  amend  a 
money  bill.  They  clamored  for  a  treasurer  of  their  own.  Risks  could 
not  be  afforded.  The  province  was  impoverished  by  the  increasing  ex- 
penses of  the  government,  and  by  the  diminution  of  ocean  commerce  in 
consequence  of  the  war.    It  was  convenient  party  capital  to  be  always 


DEATH  OF  LADY  CORN  BURY. 


473 


prepared  to  accuse  former  administrators  of  having  devoured  the  public 
funds,  but  the  time  had  come  when  it  was  better  to  provide  against  mis- 
chief than  complain  of  it.  Cornbury  contended  to  the  last  against  the 
implied  spot  upon  his  honor,  but  he  wielded  little  influence  over  the  iron 
Assembly  of  1705,  and  was  obliged  to  submit  the  matter  to  the  queen 
and  her  lords. 

The  result  was  an  order  transmitted  to  the  New  York  governor  "  to 
permit  the  General  Assembly  of  the  province  to  name  their  own  treasurer 
when  they  raised  extraordinary  supplies  for  particular  uses."  It  was  a 
strong  point  gained,  for  even  the  title  "  General  Assembly  "  was  conceded, 
about  which  there  had  been  no  small  amount  of  undignified  jangling. 
£  3,000  was  at  once  raised  for  the  city  fortifications,  and  Hon.  Abraham 
De  Peyster  was  appointed  treasurer  of  New  York. 

The  citizens  had  all  this  while  been  vigorously  at  work,  —  some  four 
hundred  men  were  employed  daily  on  the  defenses.  The  militia  had  been 
drilled  and  volunteers  enlisted.  It  was  estimated  that  between  four 
and  five  thousand  men  could  be  mustered  to  arms  within  twenty-four 
hours  notice.  It  was  a  season  of  alarms.  At  one  time  a  French  fleet 
was  reported  off  the  coast.    But  the  city  escaped  her  threatened  danger. 

Lady  Cornbury  was  at  this  time  wasting  slowly  away  with  a 
disease  of  many  years'  standing,  and  her  husband,  roused  to  devo-  1706' 
tion  by  the  near  prospect  of  losing  her,  bent  his  energies  to  the  perform- 
ance of  loving  attentions.    He  watched  by  her  bedside  night  and  day, 
and  reprimanded  nurses  and  servants  for  the  most  trifling  negligence. 
She  died  at  half  past  eleven  o'clock  on  the  night  of  Sunday, 
August  11,  aged  thirty-four  years,  and  was  buried  in  Trinity Aug' U- 
Church.    She  had  given  birth  to  seven  children,  but  only  three,  one  son 
and  two  daughters,  survived  her.    For  a  time  Cornbury  was  apparently 
overwhelmed  with  grief,  but  it  soon  lifted,  and  he  returned  to  his  former 
life  and  practices.    He  cared  very  little  what  people  said  or  thought 
about  his  private  character,  for  was  he  not  of  royal  blood,  and  did  not 
kings  suit  themselves  ?    His  conduct  told  greatly  to  his  disadvantage, 
nevertheless,  and  he  lost  favor  with  all  classes.    He  performed  religious 
duties  with  severe  ostentation,  but  even  Episcopalians  had  very  little 
faith  in  his  Christian  zeal. 

As  for  the  Presbyterians,  Cornbury  had  been  simply  odious  to  them 
ever  since  the  church  quarrel  at  Jamaica.  There  were  few  as  yet  in 
New  York,  and  they  had  no  church  edifice.  Their  custom  was  to  assem  - 
ble in  private  houses  on  the  Sabbath,  and  conduct  worship  among  them- 
selves. It  happened  that  two  Presbyterian  ministers  came  to  the  city, 
Rev.  Francis  McKemie  from  Virginia  and  Rev.  John  Hampton  from 


474 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Maryland,  and  sent  a  message  to  Cornbury  asking  for  an  interview.  The 
reply  was  a  courteous  invitation  to  the  two  divines  to  dine  with  the 
governor  that  same  afternoon.  They  proceeded  to  Cornbury's  mansion, 
and  were  well  received  and  hospitably  entertained.  They  conversed 
upon  general  topics,  but  made  no  mention  of  any  intention  to  preach  in 
the  city.  The  next  day  they  visited  some  of  the  city  clergymen,  and 
were  offered  both  the  French  and  Dutch  pulpits  for  the  ensuing  Sabbath, 
provided  the  governor  would  give  his  consent.  The  clerical  strangers 
said  it  was  not  worth  while  to  trouble  the  governor,  since  they  had  the 
queen's  authority  to  preach  anywhere  in  her  dominions.  They  declined 
the  tender  of  the  churches,  and  made  other  arrangements.  McKemie 
preached  at  a  private  house,  and  Hampton  occupied  the  sacred  desk  of 
the  little  church  in  Newtown,  Long  Island. 

Cornbury  was  no  sooner  informed  of  these  events  than  he  sent  an 
order  to  the  sheriff  of  Queen's  County,  to  arrest  the  two  ministers,  who 
were  staying  in  Newtown,  and  bring  them  into  his  presence.  The  oi'der 
was  executed  in  a  coarse,  rough,  and  exceedingly  offensive  manner. 
Attorney-General  Bickly  (the  successor  of  Broughton)  was  with  Corn- 
bury when  the  gentlemen  appeared.  The  governor  proceeded  to  ques- 
tion them,  and  they  to  justify  their  course.  The  governor  said  the  law 
would  not  permit  him  to  countenance  strolling  preachers,  for  they  might  be 
papists  for  aught  he  knew.  They  must  qualify  themselves  by  satisfying 
the  government  that  they  were  fit  persons  to  occupy  the  pulpit  before 
they  could  be  permitted  to  preach.  McKemie  said  he  had  qualified  hi  in- 
self  in  Virginia,  which  was  sufficient.  The  ministers  were  as  ignorant  of 
law  as  children,  and  Cornbury  construed  their  seeming  contumacy  into 
intentional  fraud.  If  the  attorney-general  had  possessed  tact  and  discre- 
tion, he  might  have  guided  both  clergymen  and  governor  out  of  the  diffi- 
culty ;  but  he  was  a  voluble  talker  rather  than  a  valuable  counselor,  and 
the  interview  resulted  in  the  imprisonment  of  the  innocent  but  opinion- 
ated men.  Chief  Justice  Mompesson  was  absent,  hence  it  was  six  weeks 
and  four  days  before  the  prisoners  were  brought  to  trial.  Meanwhile  a 
deep  sense  of  the  injustice  of  the  whole  proceeding  impressed  itself  upon 
the  community,  and  Cornbury  was  stigmatized  as  a  narrow-minded  per- 
secutor of  Presbyterianism.  The  trial  was  attended  with  considerable 
excitement,  but  the  jury  acquitted  the  ministers  ;  they  were  obliged,  how- 
ever, to  pay  all  the  expenses  of  the  prosecution. 

In  April  a  new  Assembly  met  in  New  Jersey,  Cornbury  having  ordered 
an  election  with  the  specific  purpose  of  having  his  salary  renewed. 
"What  was  his  chagrin  to  find  the  majority  of  the  members,  with  Lewis 
Morris  at  their  head,  opposed  to  all  his  measures.    The  fearless  Quaker, 


CORNBURY  AND  SPEAKER  JENNINGS. 


475 


Samuel  Jennings,  was  chosen  speaker.  The  first  business  before  the 
House  was  the  disposal  of  a  chapter  of  grievances.  A  petition  was  pre- 
pared to  forward  to  the  queen ;  and  a  remonstrance,  drafted  by  Morris, 
was  read  to  the  governor.  It  was  a  bitter  morsel,  and  it  lost  none  of 
its  force  in  the  clear,  distinct  rendering  of  it  by  Speaker  Jennings. 
Cornbury  was  charged  with  accepting  bribes ;  he  was  accused  of  en- 
croaching upon  popular  liberty  by  denying  the  freeholders'  election  of 
their  representative ;  and  his  new  method  of  government  was  criticised 
in  a  cutting  manner.  At  the  more  pointed  passages  Cornbury,  assuming 
a  stern  air  of  authority,  would  cry  out,  "  Stop  !  What 's  that  ? "  When 
thus  interrupted,  Jennings  would  look  steadily  into  the  governor's  eyes 
for  an  instant,  and  then  meekly,  but  emphatically,  reread  the  offensive 
paragraph,  bringing  out  every  shade  of  meaning  with  stinging  fullness 
of  articulation. 

Cornbury's  reply  was  distinguished  for  its  length  and  its  weakness. 
He  left  no  part  of  the  remonstrance  unanswered.  He  denied  some  of 
the  charges  and  attempted  to  justify  others ;  he  charged  the  Quakers 
with  disloyalty  and  with  having  tried  to  promote  faction;  and  he 
abused  Jennings  and  Morris  to  the  extent  of  his  ability,  pronouncing 
them  "  men  generally  known  to  have  neither  good  principles  nor  morals." 

This  elicited  a  second  paper  from  the  House,  in  which  all  former  griev- 
ances were  amplified.  The  Quakers  responded  to  Cornbury's  charge 
against  them  in  the  words  of  Nehemiah  to  Sanballat :  "  There  is  no 
such  things  done  as  thou  sayest,  but  thou  feignest  them  out  of  thine  own 
heart." 

Cornbury  was  greatly  discomfited.  He  could  positively  obtain  no 
money  from  New  Jersey  without  disagreeable  concessions.  He 
returned  to  New  York,  and  met  an  equally  stubborn  Assembly.  7°8' 
There  was  much  business,  and  the  session  was  a  long  and  important  one. 
But  the  revenue,  which  by  a  previous  Act  was  about  to  expire,  was  not 
continued.  The  House  passed  a  bill  to  discharge  Cornbury  from  a  con- 
tract of  £  250  with  Mr.  Hansen,  and  consented  to  an  appropriation  for 
Indian  presents,  claiming,  however,  an  exact  list  of  all  that  was  needed 
in  advance.1  A  difficulty  with  Thomas  Byerly,  the  collector  and  re- 
ceiver-general, occupied  much  valuable  time  at  this  session.  He  had 
announced  that  the  treasury  was  exhausted.  As  the  debts  of  the  gov- 
ernment were  unpaid,  the  House  was  petitioned  to  provide  means  for 
their  discharge.  Peter  Schuyler  was  one  of  the  chief  creditors,  having 
loaned  large  sums  of  money,  and  he  instituted  an  investigation  by  which 
Byerly  would  be  compelled  to  account.    Byerly  could  not  comply  be- 

1  Journals  of  the  Legislative  Council  of  New  York,  Vol.  I.  p.  248. 


476 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


cause  his  predecessor  in  office,  Mr.  Fauconnier,  withheld  accounts  as  secu- 
rities for  back  pay.  The  case  provoked  sharp  arguments.  It  was  the 
occasion  of  the  appointment  of  a  committee  on  grievances,  of  which 
William  Nicolls,  the  speaker  of  the  House,  was  chairman.  This  com- 
mittee drafted  a  list  of  resolutions  and  sent  them  to  the  queen.  They 
illustrate  the  temper  and  intelligence  of  the  Assembly  of  1708,  and  are 
as  follows :  — 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee,  that  the  appointing  coro- 
ners in  this  colony,  without  their  being  chosen  by  the  people,  is  a  grievance,  and 
contrary  to  law. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is,  and  always  has  been,  the  unquestionable  right  of  every 
free  man  in  this  colony,  that  he  hath  a  perfect  and  entire  property  in  his  goods 
and  estate. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  imposing  and  levying  of  any  moneys  upon  her  Majes- 
ty's subjects  of  this  colony,  under  any  pretense  or  color  whatsoever,  without 
consent  in  General  Assembly,  is  a  grievance,  and  a  violation  of  the  people's 
property. 

"  Resolved,  That  for  any  officer  whatsoever  to  extort  from  the  people  extrava- 
gant,and  unlimited  fees,  or  any  money  whatsoever,  not  positively  established 
and  regulated  by  consent  in  General  Assembly,  is  unreasonable  and  unlawful, 
a  great  grievance,  and  tending  to  the  utter  destruction  of  all  property  in  this 
plantation. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  erecting  a  court  of  equity  without  consent  in  General  As- 
sembly is  contrary  to  law,  without  precedent,  and  of  dangerous  consequence  to 
the  liberty  and  property  of  the  subjects. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  raising  of  money  for  the  government,  or  other  necessary 
charge,  by  any  tax,  impost,  or  burden  on  goods  imported  or  exported,  or  any 
clog  or  hindrance  on  traffic  or  commerce,  is  found  by  experience  to  be  the  expul- 
sion of  many,  and  the  impoverishing  of  the  rest  of  the  planters,  freeholders, 
and  inhabitants  of  this  colony  ;  of  most  pernicious  consequence,  which,  if  con- 
tinued, will  unavoidably  prove  the  ruin  of  the  colony. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  excessive  sums  of  money  screwed  from  mastors  of  vessels 
trading  here,  under  the  notion  of  Port-charges,  visiting  the  said  vessels  by  super- 
numerary officers,  and  taking  extraordinary  fees,  is  the  great  discouragement  of 
trade,  and  strangers  coming  among  us,  and  is  beyond  the  precedent  of  any  other 
port,  and  without  color  of  law. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  compelling  any  man  upon  trial  by  a  jury,  or  otherwise,  to 
pay  fees  for  his  prosecution,  or  anything  whatsoever,  unless  the  fees  of  the  offi- 
cers whom  he  employs  for  his  necessary  defense,  is  a  great  grievance,  and  con- 
trary to  justice."1 


1  Journals  <>f  the  legislative  council  of  New  York. 


LORD  LOVELACE. 


411 


The  last  resolution  had  direct  reference  to  the  case  of  Rev.  Francis 
McKemie,  in  which  William  Nicolls  was  one  of  the  lawyers  for  the  de- 
fense. 

The  unfitness  of  Cornbury  for  his  position  had  long  been  the  subject  of 
anxious  discussion  at  Whitehall.  When  petitions  for  his  removal  multi- 
plied, and  were  in  every  instance  signed  by  men  of  character  and  influence 
in  both  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  the  warning  was  not  allowed  to  pass 
by  unheeded.  A  new  governor  was  appointed  in  his  stead.  It  was  John, 
Lord  Lovelace,  Baron  of  Hurley,  a  nephew  of  the  former  New  York  gov- 
ernor of  that  name.  He  arrived  in  the  city  on  the  18th  of  December, 
and  was  greeted  with  a  noisy  reception.  In  the  midst  of  the  sensation 
created  by  the  event,  the  hungry  creditors  of  Lord  Cornbury  hovered  about 
his  residence,  and,  finding  he  had  no  money  with  which  to  pay  for  his  last 
joint  of  meat,  they  began  to  clamor  and  threaten.  All  manner  of  trades- 
men's bills  were  presented  for  payment,  and  it  was  found  that  he  had 
private  debts  of  every  sort  and  description.  The  unhappy  ex-governor 
was  arrested  and  lodged  in  the  debtor's  prison,  where  he  was  confined 
until  he  succeeded  to  the  Earldom  of  Clarendon,  made  vacant  by  his  fa- 
ther's death,  and  to  the  privilege  of  peerage.  A  sum  of  money  forwarded  at 
last  from  his  father's  estate  set  him  at  liberty.  He  left  New  York  with 
few  friends,  if  any,  to  mourn  his  departure.  And  yet  he  had  been  of  ser- 
vice to  the  province,  which  is  none  the  less  worthy  of  notice  because  it 
was  without  design.  He  had  toned  and  mellowed  political  animosity  by 
uniting  the  two  parties  in  one  bond  of  opposition  against  himself.  And 
he  had  taught  men  to  be  watchful,  to  withdraw  confidence  from  foreign 
rulers,  to  canvass  the  rights  of  British  subjects,  and  to  study  the  necessi- 
ties as  well  as  the  methods  of  resistance.  He  carried  with  him  to  Eng- 
land the  unenviable  distinction  of  having  been  one  of  the  most  disreputa- 
ble of  all  the  New  York  governors. 

Lord  Lovelace  was  ill  all  winter.  He  had  taken  a  violent  cold  on  the 
vessel  while  it  lay  off  the  coast  near  Sandy  Hook  in  December,  and 

1709. 

a  settled  cough  was  the  result.  He  was  not  confined  to  his  room 
at  all  times,  and  attended  to  such  business  as  he  was  able.  He  dissolved 
the  Assembly  and  ordered  a  new  election.  AVhen  the  House  met,  and 
had  again  chosen  William  Nicolls  speaker,  lie  appeared,  and,  in  a  short 
speech,  asked  for  a  careful  examination  of  public  accounts,  that  it  might 
be  apparent  to  the  world  that  the  public  debt  was  not  incurred  in  his 
time;  and  he  also  recommended  the  raising  of  the  revenue  for  seven 
years,  as  formerly.  The  House  responded  cheerfully,  saying  that  the  be- 
ginning of  the  new  administration  promised  peace  and  tranquillity,  and 
that  suitable  measures  would  be  taken  tor  (lie  good  of  the  country,  and 


478 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


the  new  governor's  satisfaction.  In  the  matter  of  the  revenue,  however, 
it  was  decided  to  raise  it  annually  and  appropriate  it  specifically. 

The  illness  of  Lord  Lovelace  assumed  a  more  alarming  character 
May  6'  as  the  spring  opened.  His  family  suffered  as  well  as  himself,  and 
one  child  died  in  April.  His  own  death  occurred  very  suddenly  on  the 
Gth  of  May.  A  little  later,  his  only  surviving  son,  the  young  Lord,  was 
consigned  to  the  tomh.  Lady  Lovelace  excited  universal  sympathy  in  her 
afflictions ;  a  widow  and  childless,  she  returned  to  England  in  July. 

Ingoldsby,  as  lieutenant-governor  of  the  province,  assumed  the  govern- 
ment. All  his  actions  were  closely  scrutinized,  for  he  was  not  considered 
a  man  worthy  of  such  a  trust.  Indeed,  it  was  through  a  blunder  that  he 
retained  the  office,  the  Lords  of  Trade  having  never  forwarded  the  order 
of  1704,  revoking  his  appointment.  As  soon  as  the  news  of  Lovelace's 
death  reached  Whitehall,  Ingoldsby's  commission  was  revoked  the  second 
time,  and  he  was  ordered  to  take  no  part  in  public  affairs  whatever, 
except  in  a  military  capacity.1  After  Ingoldsby's  removal,  Dr.  Geravdus 
Beekman,  as  president  of  the  Council,  filled  the  executive  chair  until  the 
arrival  of  a  new  governor.2 

O 

Ingoldsby's  short  administration  was  distinguished  by  an  attempt  to 
drive  the  French  out  of  Canada.  Such  an  enterprise  had  been  long  and 
earnestly  desired  by  New  York,  but  the  want  of  harmony  among  the 
colonies  and  the  backwardness  of  England  had  thus  far  stood  effectually 
in  the  way.  Colonel  Vetch,  the  son-in-law  of  Robert  Livingston,  finally 
brought  the  project  to  a  crisis.  He  had  some  years  before  visited  Quebec, 
and  he  had  sounded  the  St.  Lawrence  River,  so  that  now  he  was  prepared 
to  lay  intelligent  plans.  The  English  Ministry  consented,  and  promised 
to  send  a  large  fleet  to  the  assistance  of  the  colonists.  Colonel  Vetch 
returned  from  England  to  Boston,  and  soon  prevailed  upon  the  New 
England  colonies  to  join  in  the  scheme.  He  then  visited  New  York  and 
perfected  arrangements.  Francis  Nicholson,  the  former  lieutenant-gov- 
ernor, was  elected  conmiander-iu-chief.  Peter  Schuyler  went  among  the 
Iroquois,  and  persuaded  them  to  take  up  the  hatchet  once  more  against 
the  French.  These  savages  had  been  for  some  time  maintaining  a  neutral 
ground  between  the  two  lighting  nations,  England  and  France,  having 
entered  into  a  treaty  with  the  latter.  The  other  colonies  agreed  to  assist, 
and  the  bright,  near  prospect  of  getting  rid  of  a  troublesome  and  merci- 
less foe  to  the  north  filled  every  heart  with  joy.  The  Assembly  issued 
bills  of  credit,  since  the  treasury  was  empty  and  it  was  the  only  expe- 
dient by  which  New  York  could  contribute  to  the  expense.  Twenty 

1  Sunderland'*  order  was  signed  on  the  17th  of  April,  1710,  but  it  did  uot  reach  New  York 
until  the.  next  spring. 

2  See  portrait,  page  3(50. 


SCHUYLER  AT  QUEEN  ANNE'S  COURT. 


479 


ship  and  house  carpenters  were  impressed  into  the  service ;  commissaries 
were  appointed  and  empowered  to  break  open  houses  and  take  provisions 
by  force,  if  needful ;  and  men,  vessels,  horses,  and  wagons,  for  transport- 
ing the  stores,  were  to  be  forcibly  employed  whenever  the  exigency  of  the 
case  required.  The  greatest  activity  prevailed.  Presently  all  things 
were  in  readiness.  New  York  had  spent  £20,000.  The  army  set  out 
in  fine  spirits,  and  inarched  through  the  wilderness  to  Lake  Champlain. 
The  Indians  were  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Peter  Schuyler.  They 
halted  for  news  of  the  British  fleet  which  was  to  come  to  their  assistance. 
They  waited  for  weeks.  The  fleet  never  came.  The  disappointment  was 
overwhelming.  It  seems  that  there  had  been  a  great  defeat  of  the  Por- 
tuguese, and  the  troops  destined  fox  Canada  bad  been  sent  to  their  relief. 
But  the  news  did  not  reach  Nicholson,  Schuyler,  and  Vetch,  where  they 
were  camping  in  the  woods  and  swamps,  until  September,  and  then  the 
disgusted  soldiers  were  conducted  home. 

Schuyler  deplored  the  failure  of  the  expedition  more  than  any  other 
man.  He  had  a  comprehensive  appreciation  of  the  ultimate  results  of 
tliis  border  warfare,  and  wished  to  see  it  brought  to  an  end.  He  was 
thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  Indian  character.  He  had  in  the  early 
part  of  his  life  insinuated  himself  into  the  good  graces  of  the  savages  by 
the  performance  of  pleasant  acts.  From  then  until  now  the  men  of  the 
forest  had  never  been  in  Albany  without  coming  to  his  house  and  eating 
at  his  table.  He  was  continually  making  them  presents,  and  by  his 
liberality  in  that  direction  greatly  impaired  his  own  fortune.  But  it 
enabled  him  to  maintain  an  ascendency  over  them,  and  obviate  the 
jealousies  arising  through  the  efforts  of  the  French  Jesuits.  His  inter- 
ventions and  stratagems  saved  New  York  rivers  of  blood.  He  believed 
in  the  necessity  for  vigorous  measures  against  the  French.  He  said  not 
only  the  safety,  but  the  very  existence,  of  the  colonies  was  at  stake.  He 
finally  resolved  to  go  to  England  and  lay  the  subject  personally  before 
the  Lords  of  Trade.  To  make  his  mission  more  effective  he  took  with 
him  five  Indian  chiefs  at  his  own  private  expense.  As  he  predicted,  the 
whole  kingdom  was  stirred  into  curiosity  and  enthusiasm.  Crowds  fol- 
lowed them  wherever  they  went.  Their  pictures  were  taken  and  offered 
for  sale  at  every  corner.  The  theaters  were  put  in  requisition  to  enter- 
tain them,  and  the  Guards  were  reviewed  in  Hyde  Park  for  their  special 
benefit. 

But  the  great  event  of  the  pilgrimage  was  their  reception  by  Queen 
Anne.  The  court  was  in  mourning  at  the  time  lor  the  Prince  of  Den- 
mark ;  and  by  way  of  courtesy  the  Indians  were  dressed  in  black  vests 
and  breeches,  and  instead  of  their  own  royal  blankets,  wore  about  their 


480 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


shoulders  scarlet  cloth  mantles  edged  with  gold.  Sir  Charles  Cotterel 
conducted  them  in  two  coaches  to  St.  James's,  and  the  Lord  Chamberlain 
introduced  them  with  the  usual  ceremonies  of  state  to  the  queen.  The 
chief  orator  among  them  made  a  speech,  to  the  effect  that  the  reduction 
of  Canada  was  absolutely  necessary  for  their  free  hunting,  and  that  if 
the  great  queen  was  not  mindful  of  her  children  of  the  forest  they  would 
be  obliged  to  forsake  her  country  for  other  habitations,  "  or  stand  neuter," 
each  of  which  was  very  much  against  their  inclinations.  At  the  close  of 
the  interview  they  presented  her  with  a  belt  of  wampum. 

Schuyler  was  the  bearer  of  an  appeal  from  the  New  York  Assembly 
to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  which,  together  with  the  presence  of  the  Indians, 
moved  the  nation  to  promise  to  send  an  expedition  against  Canada. 
Schuyler  was  personally  the  recipient  of  all  manner  of  distinguished 
attentions  during  his  brief  visit.  Queen  Anne  presented  him  with  an  ele- 
gant silver  vase  as  a  token  of  respect.  It  has  been  handed  along  from  one 
generation  of  the  Schuyler  family  to  another,  in  the  direct  descent,  and 
is  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  George  L.  Schuyler  of  New  York,  to 
whose  generous  courtesy  we  are  indebted  for  the  sketch. 


Schuyler  Vaee. 


(For  inscription,  sec  Appendix  A.) 


HUNTER'S  LIFE  AND  CHARACTER. 


481 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


1710-1720. 


GOVERNOR  ROBERT  HUNTER. 


Governor.  Robert  Hunter.  —  Hunter's  Life  and  Character. — Hunter's  Corre- 
spondence with  Swift. — Hunter's  Counselors. — John  Barbarie. —  Rip  Van 
Dam. — The  Germans. — Livingston  Manor. — Hunter's  Country-seat  "Andro- 
borus."  —  The  City  Finances. — Negro  Slaves. — Lobsters. — Origin  of  the 
Debt  of  England.  —  Prophecies.  —  The  Canadian  Campaign.  — The  Disappoint- 
ment.—  The  Negro  Insurrection.  —  City  Improvements. — The  Assembly. — 
Death  of  Queen  Anne.  —  George  I. — Chief  Justice  Lewis  Morris. — Robert 
Watts. — The  New  York  Families. — James  Alexander.  —  First  Presbyterian 
Church  Wall  Street.  —  Potatoes.  —  Hunter's  Farewell  Address.  —  Peter 
Schuyler  in  Command  of  New  York. 

~TN  June,  1710,  New  York  once  more  rejoiced  in  a  governor.  Robert 


I  Hunter  was  unlike  any  of  his  predecessors.  He  was  a  strong,  active, 
cultivated  man  of  middle  age,  with  refined  tastes  and  feelings,  combined 
with  genial  and  persuasive  manners ;  and  he  was  a  model  of  morality. 
His  attainments  were  such  that  he  had  for  many  years  enjoyed  the  warm 
personal  friendship  of  Swift,  Addison,  Steele,  and  other  distinguished  lit- 
erary men  in  England.  He  was  something  of  a  poet  himself,  although  he 
had  always  written  under  a  nom  de  plume.  He  was  fond  of  men  of 
learning,  and  encouraged  the  arts  and  sciences  wherever  and  whenever 
he  had  an  opportunity.  He  was  also  a  most  agreeable  and  entertaining 
social  companion. 

His  early  life  was  full  of  incident.  He  was  one  of  the  gentlemen  who 
served  as  guard  under  the  Bishop  of  London  to  the  Princess  Anne  when 
she  retired  from  her  father's  court.  He  soon  after  received  a  commission 
in  "William's  army ;  and  he  had  in  all  the  wars  since  that  time  given 
proof  of  great  courage  and  rare  ability.  One  winter  he  was  in  command 
of  a  regiment  of  troops  who  were  quartered  in  a  Holland  (own.  The 
following  is  one  of  many  similar  anecdotes  related  of  him  :  — 

The  magistrates  of  the  place  had  incurred  the  displeasure  of  the  people, 
and  a  move  was  made  for  a  new  election.    The  magistrates  in  great  heat 


3] 


482 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


appealed  to  Hunter  to  hinder  the  assembling  of  the  people.  He  was  too 
intelligent  an  officer  not  to  know  that  it  was  dangerous  for  the  soldiery 
to  interfere  in  the  civil  government,  while  it  was  really  best  for  all  parties 
that  the  election  should  be  prevented.  The  day  came,  and  crowds  gath- 
ered in  the  great  church  and  were  about  to  displace  the  old  magistrates. 
Hunter,  who  had  called  his  regiments  together  privately,  without  beat 
of  drum,  marched  his  whole  force  towards  the  church,  and  when  quite 
near  it  ordered  the  drums  to  beat  the  Grenadier's  March.  The  people 
were  so  startled  and  terrified  that  they  rushed  out  through  the  doors, 
and  jumped  from  the  windows  of  the  building,  in  the  greatest  disin  .v 
and  confusion.  Quite  a  number  were  seriously  hurt  and  one  or  two 
killed.  Of  course  all  further  business  for  the  time  was  suspended.  Mean- 
while Hunter  marched  his  soldiers  directly  past  the  church  to  the- parade- 
ground,  without  apparently  taking  the  least  notice  of  the  panic  and  its 
consequences,  and  when  they  had  gone  through  with  their  usual  drill,  he 
dismissed  them. 

In  1707,  while  Addison  was  Under-Secretary  of  State,  Hunter  received 
the  appointment  of  governor  of  Virginia.1  He  was  captured  by  the 
French  while  on  his  voyage  to  that  colony,  and  detained  a  long  time  as 
a  prisoner  in  Paris.  He  corresponded  with  Swift  while  there,  and  from 
his  letters  we  learn  that  the  witty  Dean  had  been  expecting  Hunter  to 
use  his  influence  to  obtain  for  him  a  bishopric  in  Virginia.  Under  date 
of  January  12,  1708,  Swift  says  :  — 

"  I  am  considering  whether  there  be  no  way  of  disturbing  your  quiet  by  writ- 
ing some  dark  matter  that  may  give  the  French  court  a  jealousy  of  you.  I  sup- 
pose Monsieur  Chamillard  or  some  of  his  commissaries  must  have  this  letter 
interpreted  to  them  before  it  comes  to  your  hands ;  and  therefore  I  think  good 
to  warn  them,  that  if  they  exchange  you  under  six  of  their  lieutenant-generals 
they  will  be  losers  by  the  bargain.    But  that  they  may  not  mistake  me,  I  do 

not  mean  as  Viceroy  de  Virginie,  mats  comme  le  Colonel  Hunter  Have 

you  yet  met  any  French  colonel  whom  you  remember  to  have  formerly  knocked 
from  his  horse,  or  shivered,  at  least,  a  lance  from  his  breastplate'?  Do  you  know 
the  wounds  you  have  given  when  you  see  the  scars  1  Do  you  salute  your  old 
enemies  with 

"  '  Stetimus  tela  aspera  contra, 
•        Contulimusque  manus  V "  • 

Three  months  later,  under  date  of  March  22d,  Swift  wrote :  — 

"  I  find  you  a  little  lament  your  bondage,  and,  indeed,  in  your  case  it  requires 

1  Smith  erroneously  states  that  Hunter  was  appointed  lieutenant-governor  of  Virginia. 
His  commission  was  that  of  governor-in-chief,  but  it  was  by  a  compromise  with  the  Karl  of 
Orkney. 


HUNTER'S  COUNSELORS. 


483 


a  good  share  of  philosophy.  But  if  you  will  not  ho  angry,  I  believe  I  may 
have  been  the  cause  you  are  still  a  prisoner  ;  for  I  imagine  my  former  letter 
was  intercepted  by  the  French,  and  the  most  Christian  king  read  one  passage  in 
it  (and  duly  considering  the  weight  of  the  person  who  wrote  it)  where  I  said, 
if  the  French  understood  your  value  as  well  as  we  do,  he  would  not  exchange 
you  for  Count  Taliard  and  all  the  debris  of  Blenheim  together."  1 

Hunter  was  finally  exchanged  for  the  Bishop  of  Quebec,  and  was  at 
once  named  by  the  queen  for  the  government  of  Jamaica,  which  happened 
to  be  vacant.  He  signified  a  decided  preference  for  the  government  of 
New  York,  which  was  also  vacant,  and  his  wishes  were  very  graciously 
respected.  He  had  married,  while  in  the  army,  the  lovely  and  accom- 
plished Lady  Hay,  who  accompanied  him  to  New  York.  It  was  not  an 
auspicious  moment  for  comfort  and  the  enjoyment  of  life,  for  the  country 
was  in  perpetual  agitation  about  the  war,  and  the  unpopular  administra- 
tion of  Cornbury  had  rendered  the  whole  community  suspicious.  But 
Hunter  set  an  example  of  gentlemanly  forbearance,  kindly  humor,  ster- 
ling integrity,  and  purity  of  sentiment,  which  cooled  the  heated  atmos- 
phere, and  by  slow  degrees  public  affairs  assumed  a  more  healthful  as- 
pect. The  council  was  composed  of  Dr.  Gerardus  Beekmau,  Abraham  De 
Peyster  (who  was  also  treasurer  of  the  province),  Peter  Schuyler,  Pap 
Van  Dam,  Dr.  Staats,  Robert  Walters,  Adolphe  Philipse,  Chief  Justice 
Mompesson,  Caleb  Heathcote,  John  Barbarie,  and  Killian  Van  Rens- 
selaer. 

Barbarie  was  a  wealthy  Huguenot,  whose  father  settled  in  New  Ro- 
chelle  in  the  time  of  Jacob  Leisler.  His  wife  was  Gertrude  Johnson,  the 
granddaughter  of  Hon.  Stephanas  Van  ( lortlandt.  He  was  French  in  all 
his  tastes  and  habits,  polite  to  a  fault,  and  pleasing  in  address,  though 
given  to  extravagant  fits  of  temper.  He  was  also  notoriously  arrogant  on 
the  subject  of  birth  and  family  connections. 

Van  Dam  ranked  among  the  most  prominent  merchants  of  the  city. 
He  owned  several  ships,  and  was  extensively  engaged  in  the  West  India 
trade.  For  many  years  he  had  stood  out  openly  and  manfully  against  all 
abuses,  and  had  regarded  with  interest  whatever  affected  the  commerce 
of  the  young  colony.  Indeed,  his  first  entrance  into  the  exciting  arena 
of  politics  seems  to  have  been  on  the  occasion  of  the  seizure  of  some  of 
his  vessels  by  Bellomont,  for  alleged  infringements  of  the  custom  laws. 
He  at  once  threw  himself  into  the  opposition,  and  henceforth  was  an 
active  party  leader.  He  attained  great  power  and  influence,  and  after 
having  been  one  of  the  governor's  council  for  nearly  thirty  years,  he  as 

1  Contributions  to  East  Jersey  History.  Whitehead,  p.  148.  Smith's  New  York  :  Smith's 
New  Jersey. 


484 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


President  of  that  body  acted  for  more  than  a  year  (from  July  1,  1731,  to 
August  1,  1732)  as  governor  of  the  province.1 

Chief  Justice  Mompesson  was  probably  of  more  real  service  to  Hunter 
than  any  other  counselor,  as  he  had  taken  special  care  to  inform  himself 
in  regard  to  the  character,  manners,  morals,  and  peculiarities  of  the  people 
of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  and  he  was,  moreover,  less  tinctured  with 
party  prejudice  than  the  men  who  had  been  battling  Avith  grievances  for 
a  lifetime.  He  was  a  master  of  the  English  law,  and  his  advice  was 
always  to  the  point. 

At  that  epoch  Germany  was  crying  out  in  anguish  through  the  draughts 
made  upon  her  resources  by  the  "  Thirty  Years'  War."  Thousands  of  the 
peasantry  had  no  alternative  but  gradual  starvation  or  immediate  emigra- 
tion to  some  foreign  country.  Many  of  them,  flying  before  the  French, 
took  refuge  in  the  camp  of  the  Duke  of  Marlborough.  Queen  Anne  sent 
a  fleet  to  Rotterdam  to  convey  a  portion  of  them  to  London,  and  such  was 
the  eagerness  of  the  unhappy  people  to  accept  of  exile  that  England  was 
threatened,  as  it  were,  with  an  invasion.  At  least  thirty-two  thousand 
were  landed  upon  her  shores.  The  Ministry  thought  it  might  be  a  possible 
public  advantage  to  quarter  a  few  shiploads  of  them  in  the  American 
colonies,  to  be  employed  in  making  pitch  and  tar  for  the  naval  stores, 
and  therefore  a  proclamation  was  issued  offering  free  passage  to  such  as 
might  wish  to  cross  the  Atlantic.  At  that  moment  Hunter  was  about  to 
embark  for  New  York,  and  was  intrusted  with  the  charge  of  three  thou- 
sand, who  had  pushed  forward  for  transportation.  The  government  en- 
tered into  a  contract  to  settle  them  upon  lands  which  they  might  agree  to 
pay  for  in  labor  after  a  certain  time,  and  to  provide  them  with  present 
necessaries,  such  as  houses,  and  household  and  working  utensils. 

Hunter  had  scarcely  reached  New  York  ere  he  was  compelled  to  hasten 
to  Albany  to  confer  with  the  sachems  of  the  Five  Nations.  He  took  the 
opportunity  to  prospect  along  the  Hudson  River  for  a  suitable  location  for 
the  German  colony,  and  finally  purchased  about  six  thousand  acres  of 
land  of  Robert  Livingston  from  the  manor  property,  and  adjacent  to  some 

1  Rip  Van  Dam  was  born  in  Albany.  Coll.  R.  D.  Ch.  Records.  He  married  Sarah  Vander- 
spiegle,  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on  the  14th  day  of  September,  1684.  The  baptisms  of 
fifteen  children  are  recorded  in  the  Dutch  Church  between  the  years  1685  and  1707.  Many 
of  this  large  family  lived  to  years  of  maturity.  Rip,  an  elder  son,  married  Judith  Bayard. 
Richard  married  Cornelia  Beekman.  Isaac,  who  was  baptized  in  the  Dutch  Church  of  New 
York,  on  January  9,  1704,  was  one  of  the  executors  of  his  father's  will  ;  he  had  six  children, 
the  eldest  of  whom,  Anthony,  figured  among  the  prominent  merchants  of  New  York  for 
many  years.  Cluimbcr  of  Commerce  Records,  by  John  Austin  Stevens.  Of  the  daughters  of 
Rip  Van  Dam,  Maria  married  Nicholas  Parcel  ;  Elizabeth  married,  first,  John  Sybrant,  second, 
Jacobus  Kiersted  ;  and  Catalyntic  married  Walter  Thong,  and  thoir  daughter  Mary  becamo 
the  wife  of  Robert,  third  Lord  of  Livingston  Manor 


LIVINGSTON  MANOR. 


485 


pine  forests.  The  Germans  were  soon-  upon  the  spot,  and,  sheltered  by 
cheap  and  hastily  constructed  dwellings,  huddled  together  in  five  distinct 
villages.  Others  came  after  them,  many  proceeding  to  Pennsylvania,  where 
they  laid  the  foundation  of  the  German  population  which  is  so  large  an  ele- 
ment in  that  State.  These  earlier  German  emigrants  were  mostly  hewers 
of  wood  and  drawers  of  water,  differing  materially  from  the  class  of  Ger- 
mans who  have  since  come  among  us,  and  bearing  about  the  "same  rela- 
tion to  the  English  and  Dutch  and  French  settlers  of  their  time,  as  the 
Chinese  of  to-day  to  the  American  population  of  the  Pacific  coast  of  the 
United  States. 

Presently  a  change  in  the  English  Ministry  turned  the  affairs  of  these 
war-worn  and  poverty-stricken  emigrants  into  hopeless  confusion.  The 
new  Lords  endeavored  to  render  every  measure  of  their  predecessors  un- 
popular. They  raised  a  terrific  howl  about  the  importation  of  foreigners 
to  their  American  colonies,  and  declared  that  the  giving  of  them  employ- 
ment was  going  to  endanger  the  Church.  They  attacked  the  legality  of 
the  agreement  which  the  government  had  entered  into  with  the  Germans. 
Hunter  soon  found  his  drafts  dishonored,  and  himself  personally  liable 
for  the  expenses  of  the  German  colony.  It  checked  him  in  the  carrying 
out  of  many  plans  for  their  comfort  and  prosperity,  yet  he  stood  bravely 
by  them  to  the  extent  of  his  power.  They  were  sore  and  discomfited. 
They  grumbled  about  their  land,  and  said  it  was  unfit  for  cultivation.  Some 
of  them  defiantly  appropriated  other  tracts  than  what  had  been  assigned 
to  them.  They  quarreled  with  the  overseer  whom  Hunter  had  appointed. 
They  clamored  for  more  seed  for  their  gardens,  for  more  bread,  beer,  beef, 
hoes,  and  grubbing-hooks,  and  were  lazy,  and  disinclined  to  prepare  trees 
for  the  manufacture  of  pitch  and  tar.  Hunter  explained  to  them  his  em- 
barrassments and  his  inability  to  control  the  English  purse.  They  did 
not  believe  him,  or,  if  they  did,  they  refused  to  be  comforted.  He  en- 
listed as  many  of  them  as  practicable  for  the  expedition  about  to  be  sent 
to  Canada,  and  when  that  proved  a  failure,  allowed  them  to  keep  their 
arms.  This  last  act  of  consideration  he  soon,  however,  had  occasion  to 
regret. 

He  was  returning  from  Albany,  after  one  of  his  many  interviews  with 
the  Indian  sachems,  and  stopped  for  a  few  days,  as  was  his  custom  when 
going  up  and  down  the  river,  at  Livingston  Manor.  This  beautiful 
place  was  even  then  the  seat  of  a  broad  and  elegant  hospitality.  The 
most  refined  and  cultivated  people  of  the  country  resorted  there  for  visits, 
which  were  often  prolonged  for  weeks ;  and  every  distinguished  foreigner 
who  landed  upon  our  shores  was  sure  to  be  welcomed  in  his  own  home 
by  the  lord  of  the  manor,  who  had  lost  none  of  the  courtliness  of  his 


486 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


younger  years,  and  at  seventy-six  carried  himself  as  proudly  erect  as  at 
forty-five.  He  had  always  been  courted,  notwithstanding  his  political  per- 
versity, and  never  appeared  to  better  advantage  than  when  entertaining  a 
house  full  of  agreeable  guests.  His  wife  had  grown  more  delicately  fair 
and  beautiful  under  the  snows  of  her  many  winters,  and  presided  over  the 
establishment  with  queenly  dignity,  still  charming  every  one  by  her 
conversation  and  winning  all  hearts  by  her  sweetness  of  temper.  Their 
children  were  well  bred  and  highly  educated.  Philip,  who  afterwards 
succeeded  his  father  as  lord  of  the  manor,  was  then  about  twenty-five. 
Robert  Livingston  had  not  yet  retired  from  public  life.  He  was  still  sec- 
retary of  Indian  affairs,  although  Philip  often  acted  as  his  deputy,  and 
was  actively  interested  in  all  that  concerned  the  welfare  of  the  province. 
His  jurisdiction  as  magistrate  extended  over  the  entire  country  between 
the  manor  and  Albany.  Application  had  been  made  to  him  on  the  very 
day  Hunter  reached  the  manor,  by  one  of  the  German  clergymen,  for  the 
dissolution  of  two  unhappy  marriages  at  the  German  Flats,  —  as  the  Ger- 
man settlement  was  called.  Livingston  declined  to  interfere  on  the  ground 
that  Dirck  Van  Wessells  Ten  Broeck  had  just  been  appointed  magistrate 
over  the  district  to  the  south. 

The  manor-house  was  brilliantly  lighted  on  the  evening  of  the  govern- 
or's arrival.  As  the  family,  with  their  distinguished  guest,  were  quietly 
dining,  a  party  of  Germans  appeared  at  the  great  east  door  and  asked  to 
see  "  His  Excellency."  Hunter  at  once  granted  the  request,  but  the  in- 
terview was  neither  agreeable  nor  profitable.  The  visitors  came  with 
cloudy  visages  and  covert  threats  to  announce  their  intention  of  removing 
to  "  the  Schoharie  country,"  which  they  declared  had  been  promised 
them  in  the  queen's  contract,  and  at  the  same  time  demanded  money 
from  the  government  to  effect  their  purpose.  They  had  already  hindered 
the  government  surveyors  from  laying  out  any  more  lots  where  they  were 
at  present  located,  and  had  organized  an  association,  with  the  avowed 
determination  of  compelling  acquiescence  to  their  wishes.  Even  during 
the  conversation  on  the  manor-house  balcony  a  party  of  armed  Germans 
were  hanging  about  on  the  borders  of  a  thicket  near  by.  Hunter  adroitly 
postponed  a  final  settlement  with  them  for  two  days.  In  the  mean  time 
he  sent  an  express  privately  to  Albany,  forty  miles  distant,  with  orders 
for  two  independent  companies  of  troops  to  come  directly  to  his  relief 
by  water.  They  arrived  in  the  night,  and  were  landed  with  great  secrecy, 
and  kept  close  under  the  bank  of  the  river  out  of  sight.  By  appoint- 
ment, Hunter  met  the  German  delegation  at  a  little  house  on  the  shore, 
early  the  following  morning.  The  latter  were  ill-mannered  and  would 
not  listen  to  anything  he  had  to  say.    He  raised  his  voice  and  with  much 


COLDNESS  AND  SUSPICION. 


487 


decision  told  them  what  he  should  and  what  he  should  not  do.    One  of 

the  Germans  began  to  bluster,  and  use  profane  and  threatening  language ; 
a  signal  at  that  moment  brought  the  concealed  soldiers  briskly  in  front 
of  the  building  with  drums  beating.  Such  an  unexpected  apparition  so 
terrified  the  rude  fellows,  who  had  been  plotting  to  seize  the  governor, 
that  they  retreated  in  great  confusion  to  their  villages.  The  soldiers 
followed  them  and  took  their  arms  away  from  them  altogether.  The 
salutary  lesson  restored  order  for  a  time,  and  the  work  of  making  pitch 
and  tar  once  more  commenced;  but  the  German  colony  never  ceased  to 
be  a  thorn  in  Hunter's  flesh. 

The  meeting  of  the  Assembly  occurred  soon  after  Hunter's  return  to 
New  York.  He  went  before  the  House,  and  cordially  admonished  its 
members  "  to  do  away  with  unchristian  division."  Said  he,  "  Let  every 
man  begin  at  home,  and  weed  the  rancor  out  of  his  own  mind ;  leave 
disputes  of  property  to  the  laws,  and  injury  to  the  avenger  of  them,  and 
like  good  subjects  and  good  Christians,  join  hearts  and  hands  for  the 
common  good."  But  this  Assembly,  like  many  another  before  and  after 
it,  was  cold  and  suspicious,  and  backward  about  raising  the  necessary 
allowances  for  the  government.  The  excuse  was  the  former  misapplica- 
tion of  the  revenue,  which  had  involved  the  country  in  debt ;  and  a  little 
later,  the  poverty  of  the  people  was  pleaded,  which  had  been  caused  by 
the  tax  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  late  expedition  to  Canada.  Some 
of  the  members  openly  denied  the  right  of  the  queen  to  appoint  salaries 
for  her  colonial  officers.  No  one  made  more  forcible  arguments  to  that 
point  than  Stephen  De  Lancey,  whose  ideas  had  been  molded  by  Euro- 
pean experiences.  William  Nicolls,  the  speaker  of  the  House,  lawyer- 
like and  self-contained,  favored  the  growing  feeling  that  there  should  be 
a  restraint  upon  the  governor's  prerogative.  The  support  which  was 
cautiously  and  after  labored  discussions  granted  to  Hunter  was  on  terms 
winch  he  could  not  accept  without  breach  of  his  instructions. 


In  New  Jersey  Hunter  found  a  warm  admirer  and  friend  in  Lewis 
Morris.  The  acquaintance  had  begun  in  England  some  months  before. 
But  the  gentlemen  in  the  council  whom  Morris  had  so  violently  opposed 


Autograph  of  Lewis  Morris. 


488 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


during  Cornbury's  administration  set  themselves  like  steel  against  both 
Morris  and  Hunter,  until  the  latter  was  obliged  to  ask  the  Lords  of  Trade 
for  the  dismissal  of  Pinhorne,  Coxe,  Sonmans,  and  Hall.  The  New  Jer- 
sey Assembly  sustained  him  in  this  particular  by  declaring,  in  a  memorial, 
that  so  long  as  these  gentlemen  remained  in  places  of  trust  in  the  prov- 
ince justice  could  not  be  duly  administered,  nor  liberty  and  property  safe. 
Hunter  about  this  time  purchased  a  house  in  Amboy,  on  the  knoll  south 
of  St.  Peter's  Church. 1  It  commanded  a  fine  view  of  the  harbor,  and  of 
the  bay  and  ocean  beyond,  and  was  his  official  residence  while  on  his 
tours  of  duty  iu  New  Jersey;  and  it  was  where  he  often  retired  during 
the  heat  of  summer,  and  on  other  occasions  wheu  desirous  of  recreation 
or  relief  from  the  weighty  cares  of  state.    He  wrote  to  Dean  Swift :  — 

"  I  thought  in  coming  to  this  government  I  should  have  hot  meals,  and  cool 
drinks,  and  recreate  my  body  in  Holland  sheets,  upon  beds  of  down ;  whereas 
I  am  doing  penance  as  if  I  was  a  hermit ;  and  as  I  cannot  do  that  with  a  will, 
believe  in  the  long  run  the  devil  will  fly  away  with  me.  Sancho  Panza  was 
indeed  but  a  type  of  me,  as  I  could  fully  convince  you,  by  an  exact  parallel 

between  our  administrations  and  circumstances  The  truth  is,  I  am  used 

like  a  dog,  after  having  done  all  that  is  in  the  power  of  man  to  deserve  better 
treatment,  so  that  I  am  now  quite  jaded." 

Hunter's  pecuniary  embarrassments  were  of  the  most  vexatious  kind. 
He  had  stripped  himself  for  the  government,  and  could  not  even  com- 
mand a  salary.  In  a  letter  to  Swift  under  date  of  March  14,  1713,  he 
wrote :  — 

"  This  is  the  finest  air  to  live  upon  in  the  universe ;  and  if  our  trees  and 
birds  could  speak,  and  our  Assemblymen  be  silent,  the  finest  conversation  also. 
The  soil  bears  all  things,  but  not  for  me.  According  to  the  custom  of  the  coun- 
try the  sachems  are  the  poorest  of  the  people.  In  a  word,  and  to  be  serious,  I 
have  spent  my  time  thus  far  here  in  such  torment  and  vexation,  that  nothing 
hereafter  in  life  can  ever  make  amends  for  it." 

Another  serious  difficulty  arose  out  of  his  not  beiug  a  High-Churchman. 
The  Church  had  become  the  political  engine  of  the  ministerial  faction, 
and  when  Coxe  and  Sonmaus  found  themselves  relieved  from  legislative 
power,  they  set  themselves  vigorously  at  work  to  enlist  the  clergy  and 

1  In  addition  to  his  property  at  Aniboy,  Hunter  purchased  Matteneeunk  Island  in  the  Dela- 
ware, near  Turlington,  and  retained  possession  of  it  for  some  years  after  he  left  the  province. 
In  June,  1731,  James  Alexander  wrote  to  Hunter  that  (Jovernor  Montgomery  was  so  much 
delighted  with  this  island,  that  he  got  vistas  cut  from  it  in  various  directions  up  and  dowu 
the  river  for  the  agreeable  prospects  thus  afforded.  — Whitehead's  East  New  Jersey,  164. 


CITY  CHARTER. 


489 


the  missionaries  in  a  plan  to  undermine  the  authority  and  compel  the 
recall  of  Hunter,  and  obtain  the  appointment  of  the  good  Churchman, 
Nicholson,  in  his  place.  They  informed  the  Ministry  that  Hunter  was 
the  protector  of  dissenters  and  Quakers,  and  the  upholder  of  men  of  low 
and  depraved  tastes.  They  said  many  other  things  which  it  was  sup- 
posed would  be  damaging  to  him  at  the  Court  of  England.  But  Hunter's 
frank  and  maidy  answer  to  the  accusations,  appealing  to  the  evidence  of 
all  sober  men,  clergy  or  laity,  for  a  testimony  to  his  straightforward  con- 
duct in  relation  to  the  furtherance  of  Christianity,  restored  the  confidence 
of  the  Lords  of  Trade,  which  it  must  be  confessed  was  for  a  time  shaken. 
Hunter  was  excessively  annoyed,  as  appears  from  his  letters,  but  he  bore 
himself  with  consistent  dignity,  and  never  seemed  to  suffer  any  dejection 
of  spirits.  He  was  an  indefatigable  worker ;  his  days  were  divided  for 
each  duty  with  arithmetical  precision.  When  hardest  pressed  for  money, 
he  was  usually  in  his  wittiest  moods,  and  often  jocosely  remarked  that  he 
expected  to  die  in  a  jail.  In  his  leisure  moments  one  winter,  assisted  by 
the  facetious  Morris,  he  composed  a  farce,  called  "  Androborus,"  —  The 
Man-Eater,  —  in  which  the  clergy,  Nicholson,  and  the  Assembly  were  so 
humorously  exposed,  that  the  laugh  turned  upon  them  in  all  circles. 
From  the  merriment  thus  provoked  grew  a  better  liking  for  and  a  more 
generous  appreciation  of  the  governor  himself. 

Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt  was  the  mayor  of  New  York  in  1710,  as  was 
he  also  in  1719.  The  city  had  grown  very  little  since  the  commence- 
ment of  the  century.  The  city  government,  like  the  provincial,  was  em- 
barrassed in  its  finances.  Jt  went  beyond  its  resources  when  the  City 
Hall  was  built  on  Wall  Street.  The  corporation  revenue  failed  to  meet 
loans  and  expenses,  and  an  annual  levy  was  the  last  resort.  In  1703, 
£  300  was  raised,  which  was  less  than  one  third  of  one  per  cent  on  the 
value  of  estates.  The  citizens  grumbled,  and  in  1704  the  amount  was 
reduced  to  £  200,  which  did  not  abate  the  dissatisfaction.  Various  expe- 
dients were  proposed  to  add  to  the  revenue  of  the  corporation  for  absolute 
necessities.  Finally,  an  appeal  was  made  to  the  general  government  fox 
further  ferry  privileges,  which  resulted  in  the  charter  of  1708.  To  the 
city's  former  franchises  was  added  the  grant  of  land  between  high  and 
low  water  along  the  East  Eiver  (on  the  Long  Island  side  from  Wallabout 
to  Ked  Hook)  to  prevent  competition  on  the  part  of  unlicensed  ferrymen. 
The  advantage  of  additional  city  ferries  soon  became  apparent.  The  fol- 
lowing table  of  income  and  expenditure  in  1710  will  interest  such  of  our 
readers  as  may  wish  to  compare  it  with  the  present  financial  structure 
and  the  sums  involved.— 


31 


490 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Annual  Income  of  New  York  Cit> 

in  1 
£ 

*10. 

rf 

ftpnt  ttf  Fnrrv 

J  >  '  1 1  l>  \J1    I  '  I  IV      ,              .              .  . 

1  Ki  1 

1  ou 

( i 

i ) 

JJUth.          .           •  . 

u 

A 
V 

o>\  d.111  1)            .            .  ■ 

ft 
u 

A 
V 

JUdillL   LU  V_  UU.I  lllg  LUIl 

o 

o 

in  1    U  11U111  UO    I'M  1  1  \       ■         .  . 

ox 

1  Q 

« 

O 

**          <(      1  ^  TTroprlnme 
1  J  X  i  DUUIMU2J 

10 

2 

ft 

"           "       Thp  Pnillll] 

2 

ft 

o 

'            *  *      rinps  A'  Vni'fpi t"iii*pc 
1    III'       CC    1   1  1 1  1  1  1  >  I  1  1  1  ' 

5 

o 

o 

•*                            A.    1  ',  li    iii.  -i  'C    Jtr     Pii  ft  1"  ul<a 

AT    t    11  1  1  OVi 

3 

12 

o 

*  *                    T  .Pi CP      tr»      lvl  i*       \  *i  li 

JjCilSt,        1>U        I'll*         1  till 

vein 

12 

o 

AJCctoC     LU    0  Villi      >  till 

Home  . 

12 

0 

"      "    Lease  to  Van  Orden 

12 

0 

"      "    Lease  to  J.  Anderson 

1 

0 

0 

"      "    Lease  to  John  Boss 

12 

0 

"      "    Lease  to  Tuys  Boss 

12 

0 

"      "    Lease  to  Ryer  Hanse 

12 

0 

Total 

294 

7 

6 

Annual  Expenditure.  1710. 


£ 

Salary  per  annum  Town  ( 'lerk 

20 

o 

o 

11       *'      "  Atarshall 

10 

o 

o 

5  per  e.  Treasurer's  Commissions 

20 

o 

o 

Bellmen's  Salaries 

36 

0 

o 

l.un  thorns  &  Hour  glasses  . 

3 

o 

o 

Fire  and  Candle  for  Constable's 

Watch  .... 

3 

0 

0 

Bonfires  on  Nov.  5th  &  Feb.  6th 

&  March  8th  &  April  13th 

20 

0 

o 

Pens,  ink  &  paper  for  Town 

Clerk  .... 

1 

4 

0 

Books  for  Records  . 

2 

0 

0 

Repairs  on  City  Ilall  and  Jails 

fin 

ft 

A 

u 

Repairs  on  Ferry  House 

40 

0 

0 

Repairs  on  the  Dock        .  . 

10 

0 

0 

Incidental  Expenses 

42 

0 

0 

Cage,  Pillory  &  Stocks 

10 

0 

0 

Repairing  the  Sewer 

10 

0 

0 

Total 

277 

4 

0 

The  importation  of  negroes  was  perhaps  more  lucrative  at  this  date, 
than  any  other  species  of  commerce.  Buyers  and  sellers  desired  some 
special  place  of  rendezvous,  hence  a  slave-mart  was  erected  at  the  foot  of 
Wall  Street.  Considerable  trade  was  carried  on  in  clams,  the  Indians  in 
the  distant  inland  territories  reckoning  them  amoug  their  best  dishes. 
When  they  inhabited  the  coasts  they  caught  them  themselves ;  now  they 
were  only  too  glad  to  buy  them  of  the  Dutch  and  English. 

An  English  writer,  speaking  of  New  York  in  1710,  said  :  — 

"  There  is  a  kind  of  frog  which  lives  there  during  the  summer,  and  which  is 
very  clamorous  in  the  evening,  and  in  the  night,  especially  when  the  days  have 
been  hot  and  rain  expected.  They  quite  drown  the  singing  of  birds,  and  fre- 
quently make  such  a  noise  that  it  is  difficult  for  a  person  to  be  heard  in  con- 
versation." 

And  the  same  writer  goes  on  to  introduce  to  our  notice  the  mos- 
quito :  — 

"The  New  York  people  are  greatly  troubled  with  a  little  insect  which  follows 
the  hay  that  is  made  in  the  salt  meadows,  or  comes  home  with  the  cows  in  the 
evening.  This  little  animalculae  can  disfigure  most  terribly  a  person's  face  in  a 
single  night.  The  skin  is  BOmetimea  so  covered  over  with  small  blisters  from 
their  stings,  that  people  are  ashamed  to  appear  in  public." 


But  the  most  amusing  part  of  the  article,  which  by  the  way  appeared 


THE  DEBT  OF  ENGLAND. 


491 


in  a  London  paper  of  that  date,  was  in  relation  to  New  York  lobsters. 
We  will  quote  the  passage  entire  :  — 

"  Lobsters  are  caught  thereabouts,  and  after  being  pickled  in  very  much  the 
same  manner  as  oysters,  are  sent  to  several  places.  I  was  told  of  a  very  remark- 
able circumstance  !  The  coast  of  New  York  had  European  inhabitants  for  a  long 
time,  and  yet  no  lobsters  were  to  be  found  there.  The  people  fished  for  them, 
but  never  a  sign  of  one  could  they  find  in  that  part  of  the  sea.  They  were 
brought  in  great  well-boats  from  New  England,  where  they  were  plentiful.  But 
it  so  happened  that  one  of  these  lobster-laden  well-boats  struck  a  rock  and 
broke  into  pieces  near  Hell-gate,  about  ten  miles  from  New  York,  and  all  the 
lobsters  in  it  got  off.  Ever  since  then  there  has  been  a  great  abundance  of  them 
in  the  waters  about  the  metropolis." 

The  statesmen  of  the  mother  country  were  very  much  astonished  at 
the  importance  which  their  colonies  had  begun  to  assume.  Hunter's 
letters  revealed  the  spirit  of  self-sufficiency  which  was  pervading  New 
York.  It  was  time  to  look  into  affairs,  if  Colonial  Assemblies  dared  set 
bounds  to  the  royal  prerogative.  Hitherto  the  supreme  power  of  the 
home  government  had  seemed  in  accordance  with  justice  and  with  pol- 
icy. Indeed,  nothing  less  would  have  kept  the  life-blood  of  the  feeble 
infant  in  circulation.  But  as  the  child  grew  in  strength  and  stature  the 
fetters  should  have  been  loosened.  No  sensible  parent  deals  with  a  son 
of  fifteen  in  the  same  manner  as  with  a  son  of  five.  It  was  folly  to  treat 
such  a  province  as  New  York,  in  the  early  part  of  the  eighteenth  century, 
as  it  might  have  been  proper  to  treat  a  little  band  of  emigrants  who  had 
just  built  their  huts  on  a  barbarous  shore,  and  to  whom  the  protection  of 
the  flag  of  a  great  nation  was  an  indispensable  necessity. 

England  was  already  in  debt,  and  the  English  mind  was  speculating 
upon  the  emoluments  to  be  reaped  from  the  colonies.  The  right  of  Par- 
liament to  tax  at  discretion  was  not  yet  maintained,  but  the  way  to  it 
was  being  paved  through  illiberal  legislation.  The  nation  was  compara- 
tively free  from  pecuniary  obligations  when  William  III.  ascended  the 
throne.  The  war  with  France  which  followed  was  expensive.  It  was 
found  impossible,  without  exciting  the  most  formidable  discontents,  to 
raise  by  taxation  the  money  needful  for  its  continuance  ;  and  at  that 
very  moment  numerous  capitalists  were  looking  around  them  in  vain  for 
some  good  mode  of  investing  their  savings.  They  had  hitherto  kept  their 
wealth  locked  up,  or  lavished  it  upon  absurd  projects.  Eiches  sufficient 
to  equip  a  navy  which  would  sweep  the  entire  Atlantic  of  French  priva- 
teers, was  lying  idle,  or  passing  from  the  owners  into  the  hands  of  sharp- 
ers.   No  wonder  that  the  statesmen  of  the  realm  thought  it  might  with 


492 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


advantage,  to  the  proprietor,  to  the  tax-payer,  and  to  the  whole  British 
Empire,  be  attracted  into  the  treasury.  Italy,  France,  and  Holland  had 
set  the  example  of  incurring  a  national  debt.  Sir  William  Temple  told 
his  countrymen,  how,  when  he  was  ambassador  at  the  Hague,  the  single 
province  of  Holland,  then  ruled  by  the  frugal  and  prudent  De  Witt,  owed 
about  five  million  pounds  sterling,  for  which  interest  at  four  per  cent  was 
always  ready  at  the  day  specified  for  its  payment ;  and  when  any  part  of 
the  principal  was  paid  off  the  public  creditor  received  his  money  with 
tears,  well  knowing  that  he  could  find  no  other  investment  equally  secure. 
Montague,  one  of  the  most  inventive  and  daring  of  financiers,  was  among 
those  who  discussed  this  question.  When  England  finally  resorted  to 
the  expedient,  it  was  popular ;  the  moneyed  men  were  delighted  with  the 
opportunity  of  lending,  and  the  land-owners,  hard  pressed  by  the  load  of 
taxation,  rejoiced  at  the  prospect  of  present  ease.  It  was  the  Tories  who 
at  a  later  period  assailed  the  national  debt  with  rancorous  criticism.  The 
rate  of  interest  as  first  established  was  ten  per  cent.  After  the  year  1700 
it  was  only  seven  per  cent. 

Such  was  the  origin  of  the  famous  debt  which  has  since  perplexed  the 
brains  and  confounded  the  pride  of  statesmen  and  philosophers.  At 
every  stage  of  its  increase  a  cry  of  anguish  arose,  and  wise  men  prophesied 
bankruptcy  and  ruin.  When  the  great  contest  with  Louis  XIV.  was  ter- 
minated by  the  peace  of  Utrecht,  the  nation  owed  about  fifty  millions. 
Acute  thinkers  declared  that  it  would  permanently  cripple  the  body  politic. 
But  the  nation  grew  richer  and  richer.  After  the  war  of  the  Austrian 
succession  the  debt  had  increased  to  eighty  millions.  Another  war,  and, 
under  the  energetic  and  prodigal  administration  of  the  first  William  Pitt, 
the  debt  rapidly  swelled  to  one  hundred  and  forty  millions.  Writers  of 
every  grade  were  in  despair.  They  said  it  would  have  been  better  to  have 
been  conquered  than  oppressed  with  such  a  burden.  David  Hume,  one 
of  the  most  profound  political  economists  of  his  time,  declared  that  such 
madness  exceeded  the  madness  of  the  Crusaders.  He  gloomily  predicted 
that  the  fatal  day  for  the  country  had  arrived.  He  could  not  see  the 
prosperity  around  him,  the  growing  cities,  the  marts  too  small  for  the 
crowd  of  buyers  and  sellers,  the  increase  of  commerce,  and  the  general 
spread  of  culture.  Adam  Smith's  vision  was  but  a  trifle  clearer.  He  ad- 
mitted that  the  nation  had  actually  sustained  the  vast  load,  and  thrived 
under  it  in  a  way  which  could  not  have  been  foreseen.  But  the  limit 
had  been  reached.  Even  a  small  increase  might  be  fatal.  And  he  issued 
a  solemn  warning  against  the  repetition  of  such  a  hazardous  experiment. 
George  Grenville,  who  was  eminently  practical,  declared  that  the  nation 
must  eventually  sink  under  the  debt  unless  a  portion  of  the  burden  was 


GRA  VE  DISAPPOINTMENT. 


493 


borne  by  the  American  colonies.  We  shall  erelong  see  how  the  attempt 
to  lay  a  portion  of  the  burden  upon  the  American  colonies  produced  an- 
other war.  And  after  that  war  England's  debt  had  increased  to  two  hun- 
dred and  forty  millions,  and  the  colonies  were  gone,  whose  aid  had  been 
regarded  as  indispensable.  Again  the  case  was  pronounced  hopeless. 
England  was  given  over  by  her  state  physicians,  while,  at  the  same  time, 
the  strange  patient  persisted  in  living,  and  was  visibly  more  prosperous 
than  ever  before.  Soon  followed  the  wars  which  sprang  from  the  French 
Revolution,  and  which  exceeded  in  cost  any  that  the  world  had  ever  seen. 
When  they  were  ended,  the  debt  of  England  was  eight  hundred  millions. 
And  it  was  as  easy  to  pay  the  interest  on  that  gigantic  amount  as  on  the 
original  debt  of  fifty  millions.  For  while  the  debt  had  grown  all  other 
things  had  grown  as  well.  There  was  incessant  progress  of  every  experi- 
mental science,  and  there  was  the  persistent  effort  of  every  man  to  get  on 
in  life.  The  resources  of  the  country  had  been  very  much  enlarged,  and 
business  had  been  doubling  and  redoubling  itself. 

There  was  no  little  incapacity  and  corruption  prevalent  in  the  State 
Department  of  England  during  Hunter's  administration.  The  plowshare 
had  not  yet  been  put  through  old  systems  and  fossilized  methods  of  action ; 
and  the  benefits  arising  from  later  experiences  were  entirely  wanting. 
All  rising  power  in  the  colonies  was  esteemed  demoralizing.  Those  de- 
pendencies must  be  compelled  to  contribute  to  the  defense  of  the  fron- 
tiers. Parliamentary  interference  was  suggested  by  the  annoyed  and 
perplexed  Ministry.  But  when  the  New  York  Assembly  found  that  the 
queen  and  her  Lords  were  really  about  to  fulfill  the  promise  made  to 
Schuyler,  by  an  invasion  of  Canada,  it  was  warmed  into  a  generous 
outlay.  £  10,000  were  issued  in  treasury  bills,  to  be  redeemed  by  taxa- 
tion in  five  years,  and  six  hundred  troops  were  furnished,  in  addition  to 
six  hundred  Iroquois  warriors  enlisted  by  Colonel  Schuyler.  An  impor- 
tant Congress  of  colonial  governors  met  at  New  London  on  the  mi, 
21st  of  June,  to  decide  upon  the  men  and  means  to  be  contributed  June  21. 
by  the  other  colonies.  There  were  present  Governor  Hunter,  Governor 
Dudley,  Governor  Saltonstall,  Governor  Cranston,  Colonel  Schuyler,  Liv- 
ingston, Colonel  Vetch,  and  other  gentlemen  of  note.  Every  one  was  will- 
ing to  assist,  and  the  army,  when  organized,  assembled  in  Albany,  and  was 
placed  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Francis  Nicholson,  who  was  to 
march  by  land  and  attack  Montreal,  while  an  immense  fleet  from  England 
should  at  the  same  time  appear  and  destroy  Quebec.  General  Hill,  a 
relative  of  Mrs.  Masham,  who  had  superseded  the  Duchess  of  Marlbor- 
ough as  the  queen's  favorite,  commanded  the  fleet.  When  it  arrived  at 
the  mouth  of  the  St.  Lawrence  River  a  dense  fog  prevailed,  and  eight 


494 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


vessels,  containing  eight  hundred  and  eighty-four  men,  were  wrecked  and 
lost  on  the  rocky  coasts.    This  calamity  so  disheartened  the  officers  that 
they  held  a  council  of  war,  and  finally  determined  that  it  was  im- 

Sept  14 

practicable  to  proceed  farther.    They  anchored  in  Spanish  River 

Bay ;  but,  as  they  were  provisioned  for  only  ten  weeks,  they  in  a  few  days 

sailed  for  home,  arriving  in  Portsmouth  on  the  9th  of  October, 
Oct.  9.  .   '  °  ' 

where,  in  addition  to  all  their  previous  misfortunes,  the  Edgar,  a 
seventy-gun  ship,  was  blown  up,  and  four  hundred  troops,  besides  many 
friends  who  had  come  on  board  to  visit  them,  were  instantly  destroyed. 

The  disappointment  fell  heavily  upon  the  colonies.  The  new  Ministry 
was  blamed,  and  with  just  and  sufficient  reason,  for  the  mismanagement 
of  the  whole  matter.  Why  was  not  the  fleet  more  fully  victualed  ?  Where 
was  there  any  valid  excuse  for  having  tarried  in  Boston  until  the  season 
for  attack  was  over  ?  It  was  supposed  that  the  Ministry  intended  to 
save  £  20,000  to  the  government  by  obtaining  supplies  for  the  fleet  from 
New  England.  This  was  denied  by  some,  and  affirmed  by  others ;  but 
whether  true  or  false,  it  rankled  all  the  same. 

New  York  was  in  a  much  worse  condition  than  before  the  attempted 
raid,  for  the  enemy  were  apprised  of  all  that  had  occurred,  and  w  ere  not 
only  bolder,  but  threatened  general  destruction.  Many  inoffensive  fami- 
lies who  were  comfortably  settled  on  farms  above  Albany  were  murdered 
without  the  slightest  provocation.  The  cruelties  of  the  French  and  their 
allied  Indians  were  without  parallel  in  history.  The  people  of  Albany 
were  in  constant  alarm,  and  it  was  not  long  ere  the  city  of  New  York 
was  thrown  into  great  consternation  by  a  rumor  that  the  French  con- 
templated an  attack  by  sea. 

Nicholson  aud  his  troops  were  recalled  as  soon  as  the  news  of  the 
failure  of  the  fleet  reached  the  governor.  But  they  were  not  disbanded 
until  spring.  Their  support,  together  with  the  repairs  on  the  fortifica- 
tions, greatly  increased  the  public  debt.  The  council  and  the  Assembly 
joined  in  an  urgent  appeal  to  the  English  government  to  renew  the 
effort  to  drive  the  French  out  of  Canada.  Hunter  went  personally 
among  the  Indians,  and  made  every  effort  in  his  power  to  pacify  them, 
and  keep  them  true  to  the  colonies.  The  operations  of  England  hence- 
forward, in  regard  to  the  French,  grew  less  and  less  momentous, 
notwithstanding  New  York's  despairing  cry,  and  the  war  was 
finally  terminated  by  the  treaty  of  Utrecht  in  1713. 

Meanwhile  the  city  was  disturbed  by  an  alarming  and  mysteri- 
Apnl  6  ous  movement  on  the  part  of  the  negroes.    Ever  since  the  West 
India  Company  introduced  slavery  into  New  York,  the  traffic  in  human 
flesh  had  been  continued,  and  of  late  it  had  very  greatly  increased. 


THE  NEGRO  INSURRECTION. 


495 


England  was  in  favor  of  the  system.  She  imported  over  three  hundred 
thousand  negroes  from  Africa  between  the  years  1680  and  1700.  Nearly 
half  of  the  population  of  New  York  City  in  1712  (then  about  six  thousand) 
was  colored.  All  the  wealthy  families  owned  slaves,  some  as  many  as 
fifty.  People  of  moderate  means  were  content  with  from  three  to  half 
a  dozen  in  their  households,  but  those  were  esteemed  as  necessary  as 
chairs  or  tables.  There  was  no  unity  among  the  slaves,  and  it  was  not 
supposed  that  there  could  be  any  possible  political  danger  from  their 
joint  action.  They  were  as  rude  and  ignorant  as  any  other  barbarians, 
and  excessively  stupid.  In  anger,  however,  it  was  found  that  they  could 
prove  themselves  positively  fiendish.  A  few  who  had  received  some 
hard  usage  from  their  masters  planned  a  scheme  of  revenge,  which  was 
to  kill  as  many  of  the  citizens  as  possible  without  regard  to  whether  they 
were  the  persons  who  had  injured  them  or  not.  They  met  at  midnight 
in  the  orchard  of  Mr.  Crooke,  which  was  not  far  from  the  present  Maiden 
Lane,  armed  with  guns,  swords,  hatchets,  and  butchers'  knives.  They  set 
fire  to  an  outhouse,  and  when  the  flames  brought  persons  running  to  the 
spot,  they  fell  upon  and  murdered  them  in  the  most  shocking  and  brutal 
manner.  Nine  men  were  thus  massacred,  and  six  severely  wounded. 
One  or  two  narrowly  escaped  from  the  inhuman  assassins,  and  quickly 
notified  the  authorities  of  what  was  taking  place.  The  governor  sent  a 
detachment  of  soldiers  from  the  fort  on  a  brisk  run  to  the  scene  of  horror, 
which  so  frightened  the  cowardly  fellows  that  they  retreated  into  the 
woods.  Sentinels  were  stationed  at  the  ferries  to  prevent  their  leaving 
the  island,  and  the  next  day,  with  the  help  of  the  militia,  they  were  all 
captured  and  brought  to  trial,  except  six,  who  in  terror  and  desperation 
committed  suicide.  Twenty-one  were  condemned  and  executed  :  several 
of  these  were  burned  at  the  stake;  some  were  hanged,  one  was  broken 
on  wheels,  and  one  hung  in  chains  to  die  of  starvation.  Many  who  were 
not  directly  implicated  were  arrested  for  supposed  complicity  in  the  plot, 
but  were  afterwards  released  for  want  of  sufficient  evidence  or  pardoned 
by  the  governor. 

Shortly  after  the  excitements  consecpient  upon  the  negro  insurrection 
had  subsided,  a  duel  was  fought  by  Dr.  John  Livingston  and  Thomas 

1713. 

Dongan,  which  resulted  in  the  death  of  the  former.  Dongan  was 
tried  for  murder  and  found  guilty  of  manslaughter.  The  mayor  (from  1711 
to  1714)  was  Colonel  Caleb  Heath  cote,  and  chiefly  through  his  instru- 
mentality, Broadway  was  graded  this  spring  from  Maiden  Lane  to  the 
Commons.  Shade-trees,  similar  to  those  which  graced  the  southern  por- 
tion of  the  street,  were  planted  on  either  side  to  the  terminus  of  the 
improvements.    The  family  homestead  of  the  Beekmans  stood  on  a  bluff 


496 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


overlooking  the  East  River,  near  the  present  corner  of  Pearl  and  Beekman 
Streets.    It  was  built  by  Hon.  William  Beekman  in  1670.   An  orchard  of 


representation,  is  preserved,  and  in  the  possession  of  Hon.  James  \V. 
Beekman,  Vice-President  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society. 

Although  Hunter  was  in  harmony  with  his  council  in  almost  all  mat- 
ters of  public  interest,  he  was  in  constant  collision  with  the  Assembly, 
which  was  opposed  to  the  granting  of  a  permanent  revenue  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  government.  The  House  took  the  subject  finally  into  grave 
consideration,  and  sent  to  the  council  several  bills  which  the  latter  at- 
tempted to  amend ;  this  provoked  a  warm  controversy  between  the  two 
branches  of  the  legislature.  The  council  argued  from  precedent,  and  its 
relative  position  as  Upper  House,  or  Hous*e  of  Lords.  The  Assembly  res- 
olutely maintained  that  both  Houses  were  alike  Commons,  and  that  the 
council  was  only  an  advisory  board,  in  other  words,  a  cipher  in  the  gov- 
ernment. They  claimed,  by  virtue  of  having  been  the  free  choice  of  the 
people,  an  inherent  right  to  dispose  of  the  money  of  the  freemen  of  the 
colony,  and  declined  to  be  influenced  by  the  action  of  any  former  Assem- 
blies, or  by  the  opinions  of  the  Lords  of  Trade. 

Both  Houses  adhered  so  obstinately  to  their  respective  positions  that 
the  public  debts  remained  unpaid.  Meanwhile  Hunter,  by  the  advice  of 
his  council,  established  a  Court  of  Chancery  and  exercised  the  office  of 
chancellor  himself.  Rip  Van  Dam  and  Adolphe  Philipse  were  appointed 
masters  in  chancery,  Mr.  Whileman,  register,  Mr.  Harrison,  examiner, 
and  Mr.  Sharpas  and  Mr.  Broughton,  clerks.  A  proclamation  was  issued 
to  signify  the  sitting  of  the  court  on  Thursday  in  every  week.  The  As- 
sembly immediately  passed  the  two  following  resolutions  :  — 

"  Resolved,  That  the  erecting  of  a  Court  of  Chancery  without  consent  in  Gen- 
eral Assembly  is  contrary  to  law,  without  precedent,  and  of  dangerous  conse- 
quences to  the  liberty  and  property  of  the  subjects. 


The  Beekman  Coach. 


fine  old  apple-trees 
stretched  over  several 
acres  to  the  right,  and 
pears  and  peaches  were 
cultivated  in  large  quan- 
tities on  the  rolling  land 
in  the  vicinity.  The  gar- 
den hugged  the  mansion 
on  two  sides,  and  was 
one  of  the  finest  on  Man- 
hattan Island.  The  fam| 
ily  coach,  of  which  the 
sketch  is  an  authentic 


THE  ASSEMBLY. 


497 


"  Resolved,  That  the  establishing  fees  without  consent  in  General  Assembly 
is  contrary  to  law." 

The  council  denounced  the  action  of  the  Assembly  in  strong  and  bitter 
language.  Hunter  tried  to  modify  the  resentment  of  both  Houses.  The 
council  wrote  an  account  of  the  matter  to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  who  re- 
plied, by  unqualified  approval  of  the  court  which  Hunter  had  established, 
and  dropped  a  few  severe  censures  upon  the  course  pursued  by  the  As- 
sembly. They  said  "  her  Majesty  had  an  undoubted  right  to  erect  as 
many  courts  in  her  plantations  as  she  might  think  necessary  for  the  ends 
of  justice."  They  also  expressed  themselves  in  favor  of  the  right  of  the 
council  to  amend  money  bills. 

There  were  a  few  astute  lawyers  in  the  Assembly  who  were  skilled  in 
the  interpretation  of  the  English  law.  William  Nicolls  predicted  that 
the  time  was  not  far  distant  when  the  logic  of  the  House  would  be  hon- 
ored by  the  ablest  and  best  minds  in  England.  And  it  is  an  interesting 
fact  that  the  right  of  the  King  to  erect  a  Court  of  Chancery  without  con- 
sent of  Parliament,  was  warmly  contested  in  England  in  1734,  and  in 
1775.  Hunter  and  his  council  were  in  the  wrong.  No  such  court  could 
legally  have  been  instituted  without  consent  of  the  Assembly. 

The  House  immediately  voted  an  address  to  the  queen,  declaring  their 
willingness  to  support  her  government,  but  complaining  of  misapplica- 
tions in  the  treasury ;  and  intimating  suspicions  that  it  had  been  mis- 
represented. It  prayed  that  Hunter  might  be  ordered  to  consent  to  a 
law  for  supporting  an  agent  to  represent  the  House  at  the  Court  of  Eng- 
land. Provoked  beyond  endurance  at  such  proceedings,  and  to  put  an 
end  to  the  unprofitable  disputes  between  the  Houses,  Hunter,  whose  hon- 
esty of  purpose  was  as  clear  as  the  sunlight,  dissolved  the  Assembly. 

Of  course  an  election  followed,  and  the  politicians  who  had 

1714. 

long  been  accustomed  to  the  tactics  of  faction  entered  into  the 
contest,  which  was  spirited  and  exciting.  Several  new  members  were 
returned,  but  the  majority  were  of  the  same  mind  as  those  who  had 
preceded  them.  The  invincible  William  Nicolls  was  again  elected 
speaker.  Hunter  met  the  new  House  with  the  announcement  that  he 
should  pass  no  law  whatever  until  it  had  made  provision  for  the  govern- 
ment. He  said  he  had  begged  his  bread  for  several  years  and  should 
now  take  another  course.  Having  no  alternative  but  to  comply  or  break 
up  immediately,  the  House  cautiously  provided  for  a  revenue  for  one 
year,  and  then  proceeded  to  other  business.  The  debts  of  the  govern- 
ment remained  unnoticed  until  the  autumn  session.  When  the  claims 
were  called  in,  the  amount  was  prodigious.  It  exceeded  £  48,000.  The 
members  were  overwhelmed  with  consternation.  Weeks  were  spent  in 
discussing  methods  for  its  liquidation. 


498 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


An  Act  was  finally  passed  for  the  issue  of  bills  of  credit  to  the  full 
amount,  to  be  lodged  in  the  hands  of  the  treasurer,  Colonel  Abraham  IV 
Peyster,  and  circulated  by  him  according  to  the  directions  of  the  Act. 
There  was  no  such  thing  then  as  a  science  of  finance,  and  but  little  to  be 
learned  from  the  financial  experience  of  the  civilized  world.  Neither  was  it 
a  fixed  fact  that  a  government  could  make  a  currency  to  suit  its  own  fancy, 
and  carry  on  trade  independent  of  the  rest  of  mankind.  It  is  not  strange 
that  our  early  legislators  fell  into  blunders  and  were  sometimes  panic- 
stricken.  It  is  more  a  matter  of  surprise  that  they  did  not  make  irretriev- 
able mistakes,  since  they  were  obliged  to  act  from  the  dictates  of  common- 
sense  rather  than  precedent.  And  legislation  was  then,  as  well  as  at  the 
present  moment,  a  cheap  prescription,  purchased  by  a  little  public  clamor. 

Scarcely  had  this  knotty  question  been  settled,  ere  the  news  of  Queen 
Anne's  death,  and  of  the  accession  of  George  I.  to  the  throne  of 

Oct.  6.  6 

England,  reached  New  York.  In  honor  of  the  new  sovereign  there 
was  a  general  illumination  of  the  city,  and  bonfires  and  torchlight  pro- 
cessions added  brilliancy  to  the  display. 

The  Assembly  was  dissolved  by  the  death  of  the  queen,  and  when  the 
Assemblymen  received  their  pay,  Stephen  De  Lancey  immediately  do- 
nated his  fee,  £  50,  to  the  corporation,  to  be  expended  in  a  city  clock, 
which  with  four  dials  soon  graced  the  very  respectable  and  substantial 
City  Hall,  and  was  found  to  be  a  great  convenience  to  the  citizens. 

The  spring  election  of  1715  was  more  satisfactory  to  Hunter 
1715'  than  any  which  had  preceded  it.  The  House  came  together  in 
May'  May,  and  the  first  subject  discussed  was  naturally  that  of  the 
revenue.  Lewis  Morris,  the  member  from  the  borough  of  Westchester, 
put  all  the  vigor  of  his  intellect  into  a  plan  for  the  governor's  relief. 
He  said  that  narrow-mindedness  and  penury  were  sure  to  defeat  their 
own  ends.  He  painted  in  glowing  colors  Hunter's  four  years  of  patient 
and  uncomplaining  service,  his  struggle  to  live,  his  hardships  and  priva- 
tions cheerfully  borne,  and  "his  undeniable  right  to  a  liberal  support.  In 
spite  of  his  unattractive  temper  and  many  glaring  faults,  Morris  wielded 
a  strong  influence.  A  few  conservative  members  resisted  his  logic  to 
the  last.  Arguments  were  used  which  were  concise,  clear,  convincing, 
and  sometimes  delivered  with  grave  irony.  Mr.  Mulford  from  Suffolk 
County  was  the  only  one  who  descended  to  personal  abuse.  He  denounced 
the  whole  question  of  the  revenue  as  a  "  put-up  job  "  of  the  government. 
He  was  a  man  of  opinions,  but  of  feeble  judgment,  and,  his  remarks  be- 
coming offensive,  he  was  expelled  from  the  House.  The  next  day  it  was 
found  that  the  revenue  party  were  in  the  majority,  and  to  facilitate  mat- 
ters Hunter  consented  to  the  Naturalization  Bill,  which  resulted  in  the 
immediate  settlement  of  a  revenue  for  five  years. 


CHIEF  JUSTICE  LEWIS  MORRIS. 


499 


Mompesson  died  in  June  of  this  year,  and  Hunter  immediately  ap- 
pointed Lewis  Morris  chief  justice  of  the  province  in  his  stead.  In 
asking  the  Lords  of  Trade  for  their  confirmation  of  his  choice,  Hunter 
said  that  Morris  was  the  fittest  man  in  New  York  for  the  trust,  for 
besides  being  honest  he  was  able'  to  live  without  a  salary.  The  strongest 
argument  in  his  favor,  however,  was  his  recent  valuable  services  in  the 
Assembly,  "for  the  good  of  the  government."  He  had  many  enemies, 
and  it  was  whispered  that  he  had  paid  Hunter  a  large  sum  of  money, 
and  that  he  had  bribed  some  of  the  prominent  counselors  of  the  gov- 
ernor in  order  to  prevent  their  interference  and  thus  enable  him  to  se- 


Portrait  of  Chief  Justice  Lewis  Morris. 
(Copied  through  courtesy  of  Hon.  William  A.  Whithead,  from  original  pen  miniature  by  Watson.) 

cure  his  promotion.  When  that  accusation  was  effectually  contradicted 
he  was  sneeringly  called  the  governor's  favorite.  "  Very  well,"  said  Hun- 
ter, "  no  truer  word  was  ever  spoken.  He  is  my  favorite,  and  why  should 
he  not  be  when  he  is  so  well  worthy  ?  "  Then  it  was  argued  that  he  was 
constantly  liable  to  indiscretion,  and  that  his  knowledge  of  law  had  been 
gathered  by  experience  and  observation,  rather  than  by  profound  study. 
His  subsequent  career  showed  him  to  have  been  one  of  the  most  search- 
ing and  sagacious  of  judges,  and  even  those  who  were  the  bitterest  in 
their  opposition  at  first,  were  constrained  finally  to  admit  that  he  was 
austerely  just  in  his  decisions. 


500  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


George  Clarke,  the  secretary  of  the  province,  was  appointed  to  fill 
Mompesson's  place  in  the  council  at  New  York,  and  David  Jamison,  the 
chief  justice  of  New  Jersey,  was  assigned  to  the  vacancy  in  the  council 
of  that  province.  Clarke  was  descended  from  the  Clarkes  of  Somerset- 
shire, whose  residence  was  at  Swainswick,  near  Bath.  His  wife  was  of 
royal  blood.  She  was  Ann  Hyde,  a  cousin  of  Queen  Anne.  Clarke  had 
filled  the  office  of  secretary  since  1703,  and  his  abilities  had  won  him 
deserved  prominence  in  the  colony.  Twenty  years  later  we  shall  find 
him  lieutenant-governor  of  New  York. 

Dr.  Samuel  Staats  died  shortly  afterward,  and  Chief  Justice  Jamison 
was  appointed  in  his  stead  in  the  New  York  council.  The  Lords  of 
Trade  remembered  Jamison  as  one  not  well  spoken  of  by  Lord  Bellomont, 
and  wrote  to  Hunter  to  inquire  what  manner  of  life  he  had  led  since  that 
period.  Hunter  replied  that  he  had  constantly  held  important  official 
positions,  had  acquired  a  large  estate,  had  been  noted  for  his  art  and 
management  in  legal  processes,  had  been  of  unblemished  life  and  con- 
versation, and  had  enjoyed  a  large  measure  of  distinction  because  of 
his  exemplary  piety  and  religious  zeal.  As  for  what  had  been  formerly 
reported,  Hunter  said,  "  Lord  Bellomont  must  have  been  grossly  imposed 
upon,  for  although  Jamison  had  been  a  little  wild  in  his  young  days,  he 
had  never  been  sentenced  to  be  hung  for  burning  tbe  Bible  in  Scotland, 
and  the  story  of  his  having  had  two  wives  was  notoriously  false." 

The  residence  of  many  of  the  counselors  was  some  distance  from  the 
city,  hence  Hunter  recommended  five  more  names  to  the  Lords  of  Trade. 
They  were,  Augustine  Graham,  who  had  ripened  into  a  politician  quite 
as  polished  and  scarcely  less  subtile  than  his  honored  sire ;  Dr.  John 
Johnson,  the  recently  elected  mayor  of  the  city;  Stephen  De  Lancey; 
Robert  Lurting  ;  and  Robert  Watts.  Hunter  said  they  were  all  men  of 
large  wealth,  which  was  an  answer  to  the  leading  question  invariably 
asked  by  the  English  statesmen  when  a  candidate  was  proposed.  Their 
first  confidence  was  in  real  sterling  business  talent,  and  although  the 
idea  was  then  scarcely  understood,  and  has  since  been  mercilessly  mis- 
construed, the  root  of  the  whole  matter  was  in  the  fact  that  men  are 
developed  and  made  better  by  taking  their  lots  and  places  in  the  tasks, 
enterprises,  temptations,  and  vicissitudes  of  life,  working  their  way,  not 
only  that  civilization  may  be  extended  and  Christianity  strengthened, 
but  that  they  themselves  may  represent  a  more  perfect  type  of  manhood. 
Inherited  wealth  has  not  unfrequently  proven  a  bane  to  its  possessor, 
and  clogged  instead  of  accelerated  the  wheels  of  progress ;  but  the  crea- 
tion of  property  is,  and  always  has  been,  one  of  the  best  schools  for 
bringing  into  full  play  the  varied  powers  of  which  men's  natures  are 


ROBERT  WATTS. 


501 


compounded.  The  history  of  New  York  illustrates  the  assertion.  It  is 
said,  and  sometimes  with  a  sneer,  that  the  metropolis  was  founded  by 
traders  (that  every  man  kept  a  store),  and  that  in  its  present  proportions 
it  is  only  an  outgrowth  of  commerce.  We  stand  perpetually  accused  of 
being  a  money-making  and  a  dollar-loving  people.  But  we  do  not  feel 
reproached.  We  have  learned  that  whatever  is  strong,  noble,  just,  and 
possible,  whether  it  is  the  pursuit  of  wealth,  art,  or  fame,  is  good  for  the 
world  through  the  unfolding  of  individual  character  and  the  consequent 
uplifting  of  society.  We  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  our  money- 
making  citizens,  through  every  decade  since  we  were  a  little  fur-station, 
have  been  second  to  none  in  generous  impulse,  in  Catholic  charity,  in 
Christian  progress,  and  in  public  spirit.  We  have  seen  money  flow  from 
their  coffers  like  water  from  Croton  Lake.  We  have  seen  churches  built, 
we  have  seen  schools  and  colleges  established,  we  have  seen  asylums 
endowed,  we  have  seen  hospitals  and  homes  provided,  and  we  have  seen 
the  current  of  liberal  giving  making  its  way  beyond  our  own  limits, 
until,  like  Holland's  canals,  it  extends  through  every  habitable  portion  of 
our  vast  country.  What  it  has  done  towards  supplying  human  wants, 
encouraging  thrift,  and  diffusing  virtue  and  intelligence  and  education, 
we  can  only  comprehend  by  a  careful  investigation  of  how  American 
society  has  been  built  up  from  the  foundation.  Let  us  cease  to  under- 
value the  one  talent  without  which  we  should  have  been  narrow-minded 
indeed.  Let  us  bear  in  remembrance,  also,  that  riches  honestly  acquired 
are  entirely  consistent  with  the  spirit  of  Christianity,  and  without  which 
Church  and  State  would  alike  languish. 

Robert  Watts  had  been  a  resident  of  New  York  about  five  years.  He 
came  from  Scotland.  The  home  of  the  Watts  family  was  Rosehill,1 
an  ancient  estate  or  district  about  a  mile  west  of  Edinburgh,  on  the 
old  Glasgow  road.  Hunter  named  Robert  Watts  to  the  Lords  of  Trade, 
as  "  a  gentleman  of  sound  sense,  high  respectability,  and  known  affection 
to  the  government."  He  seems  to  have  been  a  young  man  of  many 
personal  attractions,  of  considerable  culture,  and  of  rare  promise.  He 
married,  the  year  before,  Mary,  the  daughter  of  William  Nicolls  and 
Anne  Van  Rensselaer.  His  son,  the  afterwards  celebrated  Hon.  John 
Watts,  was  born  April  5,  1715.    The  latter  was  precocious  from  his  very 

1  The  Rosehill  estate  is  nearly  all  built  over,  and  the  Caledonian  Railway  passes  through  it. 
The  Watts  homestead  is  still  standing,  and  in  a  fair  state  of  preservation  ;  it  is  a  quaint,  old- 
fashioned  building,  some  sixty  feet  square,  and  three  stories  high,  with  four  windows  in  a  row 
on  every  floor.  Its  situation  is  high,  affording  a  splendid  view  to  the  west  and  south.  There 
is  a  two-story  building  about  twenty  feet  square  a  little  to  the  rear  of  it,  like  a  tower,  sepa- 
rate for  offices.  The  extensive  grounds  in  connection  with  the  place  have  been  used  for  some 
years  as  a  coal-depot  by  the  Caledonian  Railway  Company. 


502  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


babyhood,  and  as  soon  as  old  enough  he  was  sent  abroad  to  complete  a 
finished  education.1 

The  social  attractions  of  the  winter  of  1715-16  were  greater  than  they 
had  ever  been.  Families  who  had  been  estranged  for  long  and  weary 
years,  through  political  and  other  disturbances,  became  friends,  and  hos- 
pitably entertained  each  other.  Dinner-parties  were  an  almost  every-day 
occurrence,  and  there  were  several  notable  weddings  and  other  fetes.  In 
receiving  guests  the  same  etiquette  and  ceremony  were  observed  as  in  the 
higher  European  circles.  The  governor  was  in  a  happier  frame  of  mind 
than  before  the  Assembly  provided  for  his  salary,  and  now  he  was  hoping 
to  have  the  £  20,000  refunded  to  him  from  the  English  government,  which 
he  had  expended  from  his  own  purse  in  his  care  of  the  Germans.  He  en- 
tered into  the  gayeties  of  the  winter  with  a  relish,  and  was  the  magnetic 
center  of  every  assemblage.  Lady  Hunter,  the  bright  particular  star  of 
his  destiny,  was  always  by  his  side  and  elicited  the  most  sincere  homage" 
and  admiration.  She  was  a  lady  of  superior  education  and  rare  accom- 
plishments, gentle,  self-contained,  and  unselfish,  shining  in  society  rathe! 
through  the  reflected  light  of  her  husband,  but  in  domestic  life  radiating 
a  steady  luster  all  her  own,  winch  was  the  more  charming  because  of  her 
sweetness  of  disposition  and  strength  of  character.  Among  those  who 
formed  the  "court  circle,"  as  it  was  aptly  styled,  were  the  Van  Cort- 
landts  (there  were  several  families  of  Van  Cortlandts ;  Philip,  the  second 
Lord  of  the  Manor,  had  recently  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  Hon. 
Abraham  De  Peyster,  and,  a  little  later,  the  daughter  of  Jacobus  Van 
Cortlandt  was  married  to  Abraham  De  Peyster,  Jr.),  Bayards,  Van  Dams, 
(Pip  Van  Dam,  Jr.,  was  married  the  following  year  to  Judith  Bayard), 
Clarkes,  Morrises,  De  Lanceys,  De  Peysters,  Beekmans,  Nicollses,  Wattses, 

1  John  Watts  married,  in  1742,  Ann  De  Lancey.  Their  children  were  :  1,  Robert,  who  mar- 
ried Mary,  daughter  of  Lord  Stirling  ;  2,  Ann,  who  married  Archibald  Kennedy,  afterwards 
Earl  of  Cassilis  ;  3  and  4,  Stephen  and  Susanna,  twins,  both  of  whom  died  young  ;  5,  John, 
born  in  1749  (died  in  1836),  who  married  his  cousin  Jane,  De  Lancey  ;  6,  Susanna,  who  mar- 
ried Philip  Kearny  ;  7,  Mary,  who  married  Sir  John  Johnson  ;  8,  Stephen,  who  married  in 
England,  Miss  Sarah  Nugent ;  9,  Margaret,  born  in  1775  (died  in  1836),  who  married  Major 
Robert  Leake. 

John  Watts,  the  third  son  of  John  Watts,  Senior,  who  married,  in  1774,  Jane,  daughter  of 
Peter  De  Lancey  and  Elizabeth  Colden,  had  children  as  follows  :  1,  John,  who  never  mar- 
ried ;  2,  Henry,  who  never  married  ;  3,  Robert,  who  never  married,  but  took  tho  namo  of 
Leake,  and  a  fortune  (died  in  1830)  ;  4,  George,  an  army  officer,  who  never  married  ;  5, 
Stephen,  who  never  married  ;  6,  Ann,  who  never  married  ;  7,  Jane,  who  never  married  ;  8, 
Elizabeth  who  married  Henry  Laight  (had  no  children)  ;  9,  Susan  who  married  her  cousin 
Philip  Kearny,  and  was  the  mother  of  the  late  lamented  Major-General  Philip  Keamy  ;  10, 
Mary  Justina,  who  married  Hon.  Frederic  de  Peyster,  and  was  the  mother  of  Major-Gen- 
eral  John  Watts  4e  Peyster, 


JAMES  ALEXANDER. 


503 


Gouverneurs,  Provoosts,  Staatses,  Philipses,  Van  Homes,  and  others.  It 
is  necessary  for  a  clear  understanding  of  the  peculiar  workings  of  the  com- 
plicated political  machinery  of  New  York  prior  to  1776,  to  keep  in  mind 
the  relationship  of  the  chief  actors  on  the  public  stage.  Nearly  all  the 
prominent  families  were  connected  by  marriage,  and,  in  many  instances, 
doubly  and  trebly  connected. 

The  following  summer  Lady  Hunter  died,  after  a  short  and 
severe  illness,  and  Hunter  was  so  smitten  by  the  affliction  that  he  171 
never  recovered  his  former  cheerfulness  during  his  stay  in  New  York. 
Indeed,  his  subsequent  failure  of  health,  and  consequent  petition  to  the 
Lords  of  Trade  to  be  allowed  to  return  to  England,  was  attributed  to  his 
great,  hopeless  sorrow  for  her  loss. 

There  were  two  arrivals  worthy  of  notice  this  season.  James  Alexan- 
der, from  Scotland,  the  father  of  Lord  Stirling,  and  William  Smith  from 
Buckinghamshire,  England,  the  father  of  the  well-known  historian  of 
New  York. 

James  Alexander  was  a  young  lawyer  of  good  birth  and  education. 
His  special  excellence  was  in  the  knowledge  of  mathematics.  He  had 
been  an  officer  of  engineers  in  Scotland.  Hunter  no  sooner  made  his 
acquaintance  than  he  perceived  that  such  unusual  talents  might  be 
turned  to  account  in  this  country ;  and  he  accordingly  appointed  him 
surveyor-general  of  New  Jersey,  where  he  shortly  projected  an  advan- 
tageous boundary  between  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  which,  however, 
was  not  agreed  upon  at  the  time.  Alexander  was  also  in  the  secretary's 
office,  and  was  attorney-general  (for  two  years)  of  the  New  York  province. 
Within  five  years  he  occupied  a  prominent  seat  in  the  councils  of  both 
New  York  and  New  Jersey. 

He  married,  in  1721,  the  granddaughter  of  Johannes  De  Peyster  (the 
first  of  that  honorable  name  in  this  country).1  Their  only  son  was  Wil- 
liam, afterwards  Earl  of  Stirling.  They  had  four  daughters,  Mary,  who 
married  Peter  Van  Brugh  Livingston;  Elizabeth,  who  married  John 
Stevens ;  Catharine,  who  married  Walter  Rutherford ;  and  Susanna,  who 

1  An  error  in  regard  to  the  marriage  of  James  Alexander  having  been  many  times  repeated, 
the  same  is  here  corrected  by  the  authentic  genealogy  of  the  lady  whom  he  married.  Maria 
De  Peyster,  daughter  of  Johannes  De  Peyster,  married,  1,  Paulus  Schrick  (who  was  born  in 
Hartford,  Connecticut,  and  whose  house  in  168C  was  on  the  east  side  of  Broad  Street)  ;  2, 
John  Spratt,  styled  "  Gentleman  "  in  the  old  records  ;  3,  David  Provoost,  mayor  of  the  city  in 
1699.  Maria,  daughter  of  John  Spratt  and  Maria  De  Peyster,  married,  October  15,  1711, 
Samuel  Provoost,  and  after  his  death,  she  married,  in  1721,  James  Alexander.  Thus  it  was 
not  the  widow  of  David  Provoost  whom  Alexander  married,  as  generally  supposed,  but  the 
widow  of  Samuel  Provoost,  who  was  herself  the  daughter  of  Mrs.  David  Provoost  by  a  for- 
mer husband. 


504 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


married  John  Eeed,  all  ladies  of  marked  ability  and  singular  strength  of 
character.  Mrs.  Alexander  is  described  as  possessing  great  mental  vigor 
and  business  talent.  She  conducted  the  mercantile  affairs  of  her  husband 
in  her  own  name  for  some  years  after  his  death. 

James  Alexander  was  a  great  acquisition  to  the  community.  He  was 
not  only  a  lawyer  and  mathematician,  but  he  developed  into  a  distin- 
guished politician,  statesman,  and  man  of  science.  He  found  time  amid 
his  various  labors  for  extensive  study.  He,  with  Dr.  Franklin  and  others, 
founded  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  and  maintained  a  constant 
correspondence  with  Halley,  the  Astronomer  Royal,  and  other  learned  dig- 
nitaries in  different  parts  of  Europe.1 

Hunter  was  a  Low-Churchman.  He  tried  to  sustain  a  certain  amount 
of  social  intercourse  with  Eev.  Mr.  Vesey,  of  Trinity  Church,  but  was 
treated  with  coolness  and  apparent  suspicion.  He  finally  contented  him- 
self with  giving  straightforward  attention  to  matters  which  might  prop- 
erly be  considered  within  his  province  as  the  head  of  the  government, 
was  active  in  promoting  the  general  interests  of  religion,  and  the  spread 
of  the  gospel  throughout  the  province,  and,  having  satisfied  his  conscience, 
allowed  the  clergy  to  nurse  their  prejudices.  Rev.  Mr.  Vesey  was  one 
of  the  most  excellent  and  useful  of  men,  but,  like  his  contemporaries 
across  the  water,  exceedingly  narrow  and  bigoted.  All  his  studies,  his 
mental  faculties,  his  daily  tasks  —  everything  within  him  and  without 
him  was  consecrated  to  his  pastoral  work.  He  was  tender  of  the  Church, 
spiritually  and  temporally,  and  watched  over  it  with  jealous  care.  One 
of  his  warmest  friends  and  most  cordial  supporters  was  Colonel  Caleb 
Heathcote,  who  was  also  an  agent  for  the  Society  for  Propagating  the 
Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts,  and  took  personal  interest  in  the  missionaries 
who  were  from  time  to  time  sent  among  the  Indians.  The  good  divine 
was  a  grave,  thoughtful  man,  his  face  often  wearing  the  expression  of  deep 
melancholy ;  in  the  company  of  friends,  however,  he  was  affable  and 
cheerful,  and  in  his  domestic  relations  he  was  most  gentle  and  affec- 
tionate.2 

One  of  the  charges  made  by  Rev.  Mr.  Vesey  against  Hunter  to  the 
Bishop  of  London  was,  that  he  favored  the  Presbyterians.    The  latter 

1  James  Alexander  died  in  1756.  He  accumulated  a  large  estate,  and  lived  in  the 
style  of  the  English  gentry.  His  country-Beat  was  in  New  Jersey.  Mrs.  Alexander,  in  con- 
tinuing the  business  of  her  hushand  alter  his  death,  was  efficiently  aided  by  her  son  William, 
until  a  contract  for  supplying  the  king's  troops  with  clothing  and  pro  visions  during  the 
French  war  brought  him  under  the  notice  of  the  military  Shirley,  who  made  him  his  aid 
and  private  secretary,  and  finally  took  him  to  England,  where  the  young  man  found  himself 
the  nearest  mule  heir  to  the  Earldom  of  Stirling.    Mrs.  Alexander  died  in  1761. 

"i  See  jwrtrait  of  Kev.  Mr.  Vesey  on  page  436. 


THE  "  BE  PEYSTER  GARDEN." 


505 


were  spoken  of  as  dissenting  Protestants. 


124  ft. 

» s  Presbyterian 
t  ?  Church 
•3  *  Lot 


•  SS        74  ft. 

!  Is  A-  de  Peyster 


i  o  Samuel  Bayard 
S  74  ft 


CSS  ft.; 


A  D.  P 
25  ft.      KipS  St. 


.  I— . 


1 1 

Is 


t/1 
e  p  — . 

C/J 

f 

> 

2. 
25  ft. 

2. 
25  ft. 

25  ft. 

S  fk.  de  Peyster 

75  ft. 

'  Abraham  de  Peyster 
■  122  ft.  


Samuel  Bayard 
122  ft. 


Samuel  Bayard 

122  ft.   


f  Abraham  de  Peyster 
£  122  ft. 


f  Abraham  de  Peyster 

5  129  ft.  


Samuel  Bayard 

122  ft.  


Samuel  Bayard 
122  ft.  


Abraham  de  Peyster 

 122  ft.  


e?  Abraham  de  Peyster 
_*  122  ft. 


Samuel  Bayard 
125  ft. 


i  Abram  de  Peyster 
'N°.4„,. 


1  rf*  Samuel  Bayard 
"™  75  ft. 


1  Gabriel  Thompson 
?         75  ft. 


Thmft 
1701 , fir  ana 


2™ 


Smith  Sti     (on  InJikaper)  < 

Map  of  the  "  De  Peyster  Garden." 
north  side  of  Wall  Street,  in  1718.    From  the  original 
parchment  in  possession  of  Hon.  Frederic  de  Peyster, 
President  of  New  York  Historical  Society. 


There  was  as  yet  but  a  mere 
handful  of  them  in  New  York, 
and  since  1706  they  had  wor- 
shiped in  private  houses.  Hun- 
ter firmly  protected  them  iu 


all  their  rights.  Having 


1718. 


finally  gained  sufficient 
strength,  they  decided  to  pur- 
chase a  lot  in  Wall  Street,  near 
the  City  Hall,  and  build  a 
church.1  The  edifice  was  erected 
the  following  year.  Eev.  J ames 
Anderson  was  the  first  pastor ; 
the  congregation  were  allowed 
to  meet  for  public  worship,  prior 
to  the  completion  of  the  church, 
in  the  City  Hall,  by  special  act 
of  the  corporation.  The  same 
organization  now  worship  in  the 
elegant  stone  structure  on  Fifth 
Avenue,  between  Eleventh  and 
Twelfth  Streets. 

The  ancient  "  De  Peyster 
Garden,"  which  was  purchased 
from  Governor  Dongan  by  Colo- 
nel Abraham  De  Peyster  and 
Colonel  Nicholas  Bayard,  and 
which  embraced  quite  an  extent 
of  valuable  territory  to  the  north 
of  Wall  Street,  was  surveyed  and 
laid  out  in  lots  in  the  early  part 
of  this  year.  There  were  twen- 
ty-two of  these  lots,  besides  the 
site  of  the  City  Hall,  previously 
donated  by  De  Peyster,  and  the 
one  recently  occupied  by  the 
trustees  of  the  new  Presbyterian 
Church.  The  map,  which  is  an 
authentic  copy  of  the  antique 


1  The  lot  was  purchased  from  the  heirs  of  Gabriel  Thompson,  who  had  originally  purchased 
it  from  the  "  De  Pevster  Garden." 
32 


506 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


original,1  illustrates  the  condition  of  Wall  Street  at  this  date,  and  is  too 
interesting  to  be  omitted. 

Not  far  from  this  time  a  party  of  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterians,  of  the 
school  of  Knox,  emigrated  from  Londonderry,  Ireland,  and  found  their 
Canaan  in  a  .little  nook  in  New  Hampshire,  which  four  years  afterward 
was  incorporated  into  a  town  and  called  Londonderry.  John  Woodburn, 
the  great-grandfather  of  Hon.  Horace  Greeley,  was  one  of  those  pioneers 
of  the  New  England  forests.  It  was  they  who  introduced  the  culture 
of  potatoes  into  the  northern  settlements.  Within  twelve  months  the 
seed  had  been  brought  to  New  York  and  planted.  The  product  was  looked 
upon  with  marked  disfavor  at  first.  The  tops,  when  in  full  bloom,  were 
decidedly  ornamental,  and  were  cultivated  in  the  gardens  along  the 
"  Broadway  road  "  simply  for  the  flower.  At  least  such  was  the  case  for 
a  season  or  two.  The  native  country  of  the  potato  is  still  a  matter  of 
doubt.  Common  report  and  general  belief  refers  it  to  Peru.  It  is  sup- 
posed they  were  introduced  into  Europe  by  the  Spaniards,  but  their  use 
as  an  esculent  was  very  tardily  adopted.  Walter  Paleigh  carried  some 
to  England  from  Virginia  in  1586.  He  had  found  them  among  the 
Indians,  whose  traditions  seemed  to  warrant  the  conclusion  that  they 
had  been  brought  a  long  distance  from  the  south.  There  have  been 
more  than  fifty  different  varieties  cultivated  since  that  period.  Of  these 
such  have  been  perpetuated  as  were  found  best  adapted  to  each  climate  or 
particular  district. 

In  June,  1719,  vigorous  measures  were  taken  to  establish  the 

1719. 

partition-line  between  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  as  also  between 
New  York  and  Connecticut.  The  marks  which  were  left  by  the  commis- 
sioners under  Dongan  in  1G83  had  been  worn  out  by  time,  or  destroyed 
by  evil-disposed  persons,  and  thus  many  people  residing  near  the  lines 
were  shirking  botli  the  taxes  and  the  laws,  by  claiming  first  to  live  in 
one  province  and  then  in  the  other,  as  policy  prompted.  Allan  Girard, 
who  had  been  appointed  surveyor-general  of  New  York  in  place  of  Colo- 
nel Augustine  Graham  (recently  deceased)  and  James  Alexander,  took 
repeated  observations  to  find  the  chief  stream  which  formed  the  river 
Delaware,  and  finally  fixed  the  line  between  New  York  and  New  Jersey. 
Their  decisions,  which  were  more  nearly  correct  than  any  which  followed, 
resulted  in  a  chronic  controversy  between  the  two  provinces,  which  had 
hardly  been  settled  at  the  time  of  the  Revolution.2    In  1748  Lewis 

1  Copied  through  the  courtesy  of  I  Ion.  Frederic  de  Peyster. 

2  In  regard  to  the  extensive  grants  of  lands  along  the  frontiers  of  the  provinces,  Alexander 
said,  that  although  they  were  douhtlcss  productive  of  great  evils  to  New  York,  the  buyers 
had  paid  sums,  first  to  the  natives  for  their  rights,  afterwards  government  fees  attending  the 


HON.   WILLIAM  NICOLLS. 


507 


Morris  made  a  speech  before  the  New  York  Assembly,  in  which  he  said 
that  the  affair  of  the  partition-line  dated  back  as  far  as  he  could  remem- 
ber, and  while  he  did  not  consider  himself  able  to  judge  correctly  as  to 
whether  it  should  be  a  mile  farther  north  or  south,  as  he  was  no  master 
of  mathematics,  and  had  never  examined  the  surveyor's  reports,  yet  it 
had  cost  the  provinces  so  much  already  that  he  did  not  esteem  it  worth 
while  to  meddle  with  it  further.  The  people  along  the  line  were  in  con- 
stant jangle  with  each  other,  and  quarrels  with  the  government  and  serious 
litigations  were  continually  multiplying  relative  to  the  rights  of  soil  and 
jurisdiction.  At  one  time  two  men,  whose  farms  lay  in  the  disputed 
territory,  joined  the  New  Jersey  militia,  and  were  promptly  threatened 
with  imprisonment  by  the  commander  of  the  New  York  militia  if  they 
ventured  to  serve.  Others  were  arrested  for  nonpayment  of  taxes,  which 
gave  abundant  business  to  the  courts,  and  created  no  little  asperity 
among  the  lawyers.  It  was  the  subject  of  warm  discussions  at  the 
court  of  St.  James,  and  the  correspondence  between  the  Lords  of  Trade 
and  the  leading  men  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  forms  almost  a  library 
of  itself.1 

More  than  a  year  had  elapsed  since  William  Nicolls,  on  account  of 
failing  health,  had  declined  by  letter  his  position  as  speaker  of  the 
Assembly,  which  he  had  held  for  sixteen  years ; 2  Eobert  Livingston 
was  chosen  in  his  stead.  For  some  months  Hunter  had  been  quietly 
making  preparations  to  return  to  England.    But  he  greatly  feared  that 

patents,  amounting  to  quite  as  much  lie  thought  as  the  land  was  worth,  and  to  deprive  such 
people  of  their  possessions  was  a  harsh,  unjust,  and  dangerous  proceeding. 

1  Ferdinando  John  Paris  was  the  agent  from  New  Jersey  in  London  during  many  of  the 
years  while  this  controversy  was  going  on,  and  has  left  the  papers  and  letters  relating  to  the 
partition-lines  in  a  condition  of  most  admirable  arrangement. 

2  William  Nicolls  died  in  1722,  aged  sixty-six  years.  His  large  estate  on  Long  Island, 
which  he  called  Islip,  in  honor  of  the  ancient  village  of  that  name,  six  miles  from  the  Univer- 
sity of  Oxford,  where  his  father  was  born,  was  divided  among  his  six  children.  They  were  : 
1,  Benjamin,  who  married  his  cousin  Charity  Floyd,  and  died  in  1724,  his  widow  subsequently 
becoming  the  wife  of  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Johnson,  first  president  of  King's  (Columbia)  College, 
and  mother  of  Samuel  William  Johnson,  the  first  president  of  the  same  institution  after  it 
became  Columbia  College  ;  2,  William,  who  for  many  years  was  speaker  of  the  New  Yolk 
Assembly,  as  his  father  had  been  before  him,  —  a  shy,  timid,  uncommunicative,  but  candid 
and  sincere  man,  who  never  married,  but  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life  in  perplexing 
lawsuits,  occasioned  by  the  unsettled  condition  of  his  father's  and  brother's  affairs  ;  3,  Rens- 
selaer, who  married  and  resided  near  Albany  ;  4,  Mary,  who  married  Robert  Watts  ;  5, 
Catharine,  who  married  John  Havens,  of  Shelter  Island,  and  was  the  mother  of  Nicoll  Havens, 
and  grandmother  of  Hon.  John  Nicoll  Havens  ;  6,  Frances,  who  married  Edward  Holland. 

In  a  memorandum  left  by  Hon.  John  Watts,  Senior,  is  the  following  paragraph  :  "As 
my  own  father  had  added  an  a  to  his  name  (making  Watt  Watts),  for  what  reason  I  have 
never  heard,  Mr.  Nicolls  left  the  s  out  of  his  name,  calling  himself,  as  all  his  descendants 
have  done,  Nicoll." 


508 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


it  might  occasion  intrigues  if  it  should  be  known  that  he  was  to  resign 
his  government,  and  he  therefore  kept  his  affairs  an  absolute  secret.  Not 
one  person  knew  of  his  intentions,  until,  on  the  24th  of  June,  he  suin- 
June24  mone<^  ^he  House  before  him,  and  after  transacting  the  special 
business  for  which  they  had  been  called,  he  arose  and  addressed 
them  in  the  following  words :  — 

"  Gentlemen,  I  have  sent  for  you  that  you  may  be  witness  to  my  assent  to 
the  Acts  passed  by  the  General  Assembly  in  this  session.  I  hope  that  what 
remains  unfinished  may  be  perfected  by  to-morrow,  when  I  intend  to  close  the 
session. 

"  I  take  this  opportunity  also  to  acquaint  you  that  my  uncertain  state  of 
health,  the  care  of  my  little  family,1  and  my  private  affairs  on  the  other  side, 
have  at  last  determined  me  to  make  use  of  that  license  of  absence  which  was 
some  time  ago  graciously  granted  me,  but  with  a  firm  resolution  to  return 
again  to  you,  if  it  is  his  Majesty's  pleasure  that  I  should  do  so ;  but  if  that 
proves  otherwise,  I  assure  you  that  whilst  I  live,  I  shall  be  watchful  and  indus- 
trious to  promote  the  interest  and  welfare  of  this  country,  of  which  I  think  I 
am  under  the  strongest  obligations  for  the  future  to  account  myself  a  country- 
man. I  look  with  pleasure  upon  the  present  quiet  and  prosperous  state  of  the 
people  here,  whilst  I  remember  the  condition  in  which  I  found  them  upon  my 
arrival.  As  the  very  name  of  party  or  faction  seems  to  be  forgotten,  may  it 
ever  lie  buried  in  oblivion,  and  no  more  strife  ever  happen  amongst  you,  but 
that  laudable  emulation  who  shall  prove  himself  the  most  zealous  servant  and 
dutiful  subject  of  the  best  of  princes,  and  most  useful  member  of  a  well-estab- 
lished and  flourishing  community,  of  which  you,  gentlemen,  have  given  a  happy 
example." 

The  reply  of  the  Assembly  through  Robert  Livingston,  Speaker,  was 
equally  courteous  and  to  the  point :  — 

"  Sir,  when  we  reflect  upon  your  past  conduct,  your  just,  mild,  and  tender 
administration,  it  heightens  the  concern  we  have  for  your  departure,  and  makes 
our  grief  such  as  words  cannot  truly  express.  You  have  governed  well  and 
wisely,  like  a  prudent  magistrate,  like  an  affectionate  parent ;  and  wherever  you 
go,  and  whatever  station  the  Divine  Providence  shall  please  to  assign  you,  our 
sincere  desire  and  prayers  for  the  happiness  of  you  and  yours  shall  always  attend 
you.  We  have  seen  many  governors,  and  may  see  more ;  and  as  none  of  those 
who  had  the  honor  to  serve  in  your  station  were  ever  so  justly  fixed  in  the  affec- 
tions of  the  governed,  so  those  to  come  will  acquire  no  mean  reputation  when 
it  can  be  said  of  them  their  conduct  has  been  like  yours. 

1  The  late  Lady  Hunter  was  heir  to  the  estate  of  Sir  Thomas  Orly,  and  Hunter  wished  to 
confirm  the  property  to  his  five  children,  Thomas,  Charles.  Catharine,  Henrietta,  and  Char- 
lotte. He  also  hoped  to  recover  from  the  Knglish  treasury  what  was  due  him  ou  account 
of  the  Germans. 


SCHUYLER  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  COUNCIL. 


509 


"  We  thankfully  accept  the  honor  you  do  us  in  calling  yourself  our  country- 
man. Give  us  leave  then  to  desire  that  you  will  not  forget  this  as  your  country, 
and,  if  you  can,  make  haste  to  return  to  it.  But  if  the  service  of  our  sovereign 
will  not  admit  of  what  we  so  earnestly  desire,  and  his  commands  deny  us  that 
happiness,  permit  us  to  address  you  as  our  friend,  and  give  us  your  assistance 
when  we  are  oppressed  with  an  administration  the  reverse  of  yours." 

No  governor  ever  left  New  York  with  greater  eclat  or  carried  with  him 
more  substantial  tokens  of  good- will  and  affection.    He  sailed  in 

°  July. 

July,  and  the  chief  command  of  the  province  devolved  upon  Peter 
Schuyler,  as  the  oldest  member  of  the  council.  His  short  administration 
was  marked  by  very  few  events  of  note.  The  Assembly  was  not  con- 
vened, by  special  instructions  from  the  Lords  of  Trade,  as  it  was  a  mooted 
question  whether  it  could  legally  act  under  Schuyler,  and  it  was  thought 
that  an  election  at  the  present  time  would  be  prejudicial  to  the  interests 
of  the  crown.  The  boundary  between  New  York  and  Canada  never  hav- 
ing been  established  with  any  accuracy,  the  French  were  extending  their 
settlements  across  the  borders,  and  pushing  themselves  into  the  immediate 
country  of  the  Five  Nations.  Eobert  Livingston  called  the  attention  of 
Schuyler  to  these  alarming  encroachments,  and  Myndert  Schuyler  and 
Eobert  Livingston,  Jr.,  who  had  married  Peter  Schuyler's  only  daughter, 
were  sent  as  agents  to  treat  with  the  sachems  individually,  at  their 
castles,  hoping  to  prevent  them  from  going  over  to  the  French.  The 
result  was  a  new  treaty  with  these  powerful  and  ever  vacillating  tribes, 
in  order  to  confirm  and  preserve  the  ancient  league.  The  records  of  that 
particular  period  are  also  crowded  with  the  transactions  respecting  the 
partition-line  between  New  York  and  New  Jersey. 

Schuyler  was  advanced  in  years,  but  was  modest,  brave,  shrewd,  and 
reticent,  though  less  active  than  formerly.  He  trusted  very  much  to 
the  energetic  counsel  of  Adolphe  Philipse,  and  for  lodging  the  king's  seal 
in  the  hands  of  the  latter  was  unsparingly  criticised.  Philipse  had  been  a 
member  of  the  council  for  fourteen  or  more  years,  and  the  agent  for  New 
York  at  the  court  of  George  L,  for  some  months  prior  to  Hunter's  depart- 
ure from  the  province.  He  was  a  sedate  bachelor  of  fifty-four,  and,  though 
no  scholar,  he  was  a  gentleman,  and  possessed  a  character  of  more  than 
common  accomplishments  and  strength.  He  was  of  a  penurious  turn  of 
mind,  and  had  been  so  pronounced  in  his  opinions  regarding  finance  and 
governmental  outlays  as  to  bring  himself  into  direct  antagonism  with 
the  warm  personal  friends  of  Hunter.  By  the  king's  instructions  the 
president  of  the  council  was  to  receive  one  half  of  the  salary  and  all  the 
perquisites  of  a  governor.  A  dispute  arose  whether  the  word  "half"  did 
not  extend  to  "  all  the  perquisites  "  as  well  as  to  the  salary.  Schuyler 


510 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


retained  the  whole,  and  in  his  right  to  do  so  was  ably  sustained  by 
Philipse. 

Upon  Hunter's  arrival  in  England  he  effected  a  change  of  business 
with  William  Burnet,  by  resigning  the  government  of  New  York  and 
New  Jersey,  and  accepting  an  offer  of  comptroller  of  the  customs  in  Lon- 
don. In  1727  he  was  appointed  governor  of  Jamaica.  He  died  in  1734. 
He  maintained  an  active  correspondence  with  his  friends  in  New  York 
and  New  Jersey  from  the  time  he  left  the  provinces  to  the  end  of  his  life, 
and  was  kept  informed  of  all  events  of  consequence •  political  and  per- 
sonal. He  continued  to  be  a  property-owner  also,  and  in  1730  wrote  to 
James  Alexander,  expressing  his  desire  to  purchase  six  or  seven  hundred 
acres  of  land  at  New  Brunswick,  if  it  could  be  bought  reasonably.  Alex- 
ander in  reply  told,  him  that  the  country  about  there  was  being  settled 
very  fast,  and  that  "  all  the  way  for  thirty  miles  south  was  a  continuous 
line  of  fences  and  many  good  farmers'  houses  " ;  that  a  lot  of  ground  in 
New  Brunswick  had  grown  to  nearly  as  high  a  price  as  so  much  ground 
in  the  heart  of  New  York.1 

Thirteen  months  from  the  time  of  Hunter's  farewell  to  New  York, 
on  the  20th  of  September,  1720,  Schuyler  was  relieved  from  executive 
duties  by  the  arrival  of  Governor  William  Burnet. 

1  Whitehead's  Contributions  to  East  Jersey  History.    Rutherford  MSS. 


Morns  Arms. 


(  For  description  see  page  545.) 


CONDITION  OF  THE  PROVINCE. 


511 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

1720  -  1732. 
GOVERNOR  WILLIAM  BURNET. 

Governor  William  Burnet.  —  Social  Events.  — Burnet's  Marriage.  — Dr.  Cadwal- 
lader  colden. — robert  livingston  speaker  of  the  assembly.  — john  watson 
the  First  Portrait-Painter.  —  Robert  Walters.  —  Burnet's  Indian  Policy.  — 
Rev.  Jonathan  Edwards.  —  Burnet's  Council.  —  Young  Men  going  West.  —  Bur- 
net's Theology. — The  French  Protestants. — Stephen  De  Lancey.  —  William 
Bradford. — The  First  Newspaper  in  New  York.  —  The  Silver-toned  Bell. — 
Burnet  and  the  Indian  Chiefs.  — Death  of  George  I.  —  Burnet's  Departure  for 
Boston. — The  New  Powder-Magazine. — Governor  John  Montgomery. — Con- 
ference with  the  Indians  at  Albany.  — James  De  Lancey.  — The  First  Library 
in  New  York.  —  The  Jews'  Burial- Place.  —  The  City  Charter.  —  First  Fire-En- 
gines in  New  York.  —  First  Engine-House.  — Rip  Van  Dam  President  of  Council 
and  Acting  Governor  of  New  York. 

THE  advent  of  Governor  Burnet  was  an  event  of  special  interest. 
New  York  was  in  holiday  attire.  Flags  were  flying,  cannon  speak- 
ing significant  welcome,  and  the  military  on  parade  in  full  uni-  1720. 
form.  It  was  a  beautiful  September  day,  and  the  balconies  of  all  SeP*' 20- 
the  houses  along  the  route  were  filled  with  ladies,  as  the  new  governor 
was  escorted  with  stately  ceremony  to  the  City  Hall  in  Wall  Street,  ac- 
cording to  ancient  usage,  to  publish  his  commission. 

William  Burnet  was  the  son  of  the  celebrated  prelate,  Bishop  Burnet. 
He  was  named  for  the  Prince  of  Orange,  who  stood  sponsor  for  him  at  his 
baptism.  He  was  a  free-and-easy  widower,  large,  graceful,  of  stately 
presence,  dignified  on  occasions,  but  usually  gay,  talkative,  and  conde- 
scending. He  was  esteemed  handsome,  and  greatly  admired  by  the 
ladies,  to  whom  he  was  specially  devoted  when  in  their  presence.  His 
gallantry  was  not  a  recommendation,  however,  to  public  favor.  Some 
of  the  grave  heads  in  high  places  were  shaken  dubiously.  One  gentle- 
man wrote  to  Hunter,  "  We  do  not  know  yet  how  the  fathers  and  hus- 
bands are  going  to  like  Governor  Burnet,  but  we  are  quite  sure  the  wives 
and  daughters  do  so  sufficiently." 

He  had  been  carefully  educated  by  his  learned  father,  who,  it  is  said, 
5aw  nothing  in  the  youth  but  faint  promise  of  moderate  scholarship,  until 


512 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


he  was  at  least  Uventy  years  of  age,  and  had  been  so  uneasy  on  the  sub- 
ject that  he  had  counseled  anxiously  with  Sir  Isaac  Newton  in  relation 
to  the  best  methods  for  training  so  refractory  a  mind.  William  took  a 
sudden  turn  finally ;  books  became  his  delight  as  well  as  his  companions, 
and  he  began  to  hoard  them  as  a  miser  hoards  gold.  One  of  his  relatives 
was  charged  with  the  buying  of  new  books,  and  the  frequent  and  expen- 
sive orders  brought  many  a  sharp  and  serious  rebuke  upon  the  young 
student's  thoughtless  head,  for  he  was  greatly  exceeding  his  income. 
When  this  restraint  became  intolerable,  he  drew  upon  his  brothers  for 


Portrait  of  Governor  Burnet. 


money.  But  they  only  laughed  at  his  bookish  proclivities,  and  admon- 
ished him  to  browse  in  his  own  pastures. 

His  early  life  was  passed  in  the  atmosphere  of  William  and  Mary's 
Court.  As  he  matured  into  manhood  he  was  in  constant  and  daily  inter- 
course with  the  most  cultivated  and  polished  men  of  the  age.  He  traveled 
extensively  and  became  thoroughly  conversant  with  the  language  and 
customs  of  the  different  nations  of  Europe.  He  was  free  from  affectation, 
and  treated  all  classes  with  the  most  cordial  politeness.  He  possessed  an 
exhaustless  fund  of  humor  and  anecdote,  but  he  was  not  always  noted 
for  the  discrimination  with  which  he  made  choice  of  friends.  His 
brother  Gilbert  wrote  to  him,  shortly  after  he  reached  New  York,  in  a 
strain  of  great  caution,  advising  him  against  being  "  led  by  his  genial  and 
winning  temper  into  too  much  familiarity,  which  might  be  turned  to  his 
great  disadvantage." 


BURNET'S  MARRIAGE. 


513 


He  was  pleased  with  the  society  of  New  York,  which  compared  favor- 
ably with  that  to  which  he  had  been  accustomed.  He  met,  within  a  week 
after  his  arrival,  the  lady  whom  he  married  the  following  spring.  She 
was  Anne  Marie,  the  daughter  of  Abraham  Van  Home  and  Maria  Pro- 
voost,  a  beautiful  and  accomplished  young  woman  of  eighteen  summers. 
The  Van  Homes  were  an  ancient  and  eminently  respectable  family  of 
Dutch  ancestry.  No  one  of  the  name  had  hitherto  figured  conspicuously 
in  political  life,  but  they  were  wealthy  and  refined  people.  Abraham 
Van  Home  was  a  merchant,  owning  and  occupying  a  large  storehouse, 


Portrait  of  Mrs.  Burnet. 


and  a  bolting  and  baking  house,  besides  other  property.  He  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  council  of  New  York  through  the  recommendation  of 
Burnet  in  1722,  and  held  the  office  until  his  death  in  1741. 1 

Burnet  and  Hunter  were  personal  friends,  and  the  affairs  and  leading 
characters  of  New  York  were  thoroughly  discussed  by  them  before  the 
former  accepted  the  chair  of  state.  He  was  better  prepared,  therefore,  for 
active  and  efficient  work  from  the  beginning  of  his  administration  than 
his  predecessors  had  been.  His  opinions  and  tastes  differed  materially 
from  those  of  Hunter,  and  the  friends  of  the  latter  were  not  altogether 
predisposed  in  his  favor.    He  was  treated  with  courtesy,  however.  Lewis 

1  Governor  Burnet  buried  his  wife,  Anne  Marie,  or  "Mary,"  as  he  calls  her  in  his  will,  in 
1727,  while  in  New  York  ;  also  one  child.  He  had  one  son,  Gilbert,  by  his  first  marriage, 
who  was  sent  to  England  upon  his  death  in  1  720.  He  had  children  by  bis  second  marriage, 
William,  Mary,  and  Thomas.  Mary  married  William  Browne,  of  Beverly,  Massachusetts. 
New  England  Historical  Genealogical  Register,  Vol.  V.  p.  49. 
33 


514 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Morris,  bustling,  penetrating,  and  in  many  things  inconsistent,  stood 
highest  in  his  confidence,  and  still  filled  the  office  of  chief  justice.  Bur- 
net was  exceedingly  fond  of  him.  Lewis  Morris,  Jr.,  was  taken  into  the 
council  in  place  of  Caleb  Heathcote,  recently  deceased.  Hunter,  as  has 
been  seen,  was  liberal  in  his  religious  views,  and  not  disposed  to  make 
tenets  and  doctrines  the  test  of  friendship.  Burnet,  on  the  contrary,  was 
inclined  to  theological  arguments,  and  rarely  let  his  heart  go  out  towards 
those  who  differed  from  him  in  matters  of  religion. 

The  Lords  of  Trade  deemed  it  wise  that  the  Assembly,  which  had  been 
so  favorably  disposed  towards  the  government  before  Hunter  resigned, 
should  be  continued  without  an  election.  This  measure  was  opposed  by 
Schuyler  and  Philipse,  on  the  ground  of  its  illegality.  Hence  Burnet 
removed  them  both  from  the  council,  and  appointed  Dr.  Cadwallader 
Colden  and  James  Alexander  in  their  places.  It  was  a  hostile  step,  and 
provoked  no  little  comment  and  criticism.  Burnet's  reasons  for  pursuing 
such  a  course  were  obvious.  The  members  of  the  present  Assembly  were 
pledged  to  grant  tbe  revenue  again  for  five  years.  Symptoms  of  the  old 
tumult  in  the  political  atmosphere  at  once  became  apparent.  Meanwhile 
the  new  members  of  the  council  were  able  and  sagacious,  and  worthy  the 
high  place  they  afterwards  held  in  the  governor's  esteem. 

Dr.  Cadwallader  Colden  was  the  son  of  Kev.  Alexander  Colden  of 
Dunse,  in  the  Merse,  Berwickshire,  Scotland.  He  was  born  February  7, 
1687,  O.  S.  He  was  educated  at  the  University  <»f  Edinburgh  with  a 
view  of  settling  in  the  Church  of  Scotland,  but,  after  completing  his 
studies  in  1705,  he  applied  himself  to  the  study  of  medicine.  He  was 
attracted  finally  to  Philadelphia,  where  his  mother  had  a  widowed  and 
childless  sister.  After  practicing  his  profession  in  that  city  for  some 
three  years,  he  visited  New  York.  It  was  in  the  summer  of  1718.  He 
only  stayed  three  days.  He  received,  however,  the  most  polite  and  com- 
plimentary attentions  from  Governor  Hunter.  He  was  invited  to  the 
executive  mansion,  and  a  ceremonious  dinner  was  given  in  his  honor. 
About  two  weeks  after  he  returned  to  Philadelphia,  he  received  a  letter 
from  Hunter,  inviting  him  to  New  York,  and  offering  him  the  office  of 
surveyor-general  of  the  province.  Henceforth  his  name  will  be  identi- 
fied with  our  history,  until  we  find  him  occupying  the  position  of  lieu- 
tenant-governor in  the  interesting  Stamp  Act  period.  We  are  indebted 
to  him  for  much  of  our  science,  and  some  of  our  most  important  early 
institutions.  Hence  a  brief  outline  of  his  career  will  not  be  amiss  at 
this  juncture. 

He  bought  some  three  thousand  acres  of  land  in  Orange  County  in 
1719,  which  he  named  "  Coldcnham."    He  removed  his  family,  a  wife 


DR.  CAD  WALLADER  COLDEN. 


515 


and  six  young  children,  there  in  1728,  having  brought  the  land  under  cul- 
tivation, and  built  a  fine  large  dwelling.  This  retired  home  gave  him 
leisure  for  philosophical  study,  to  which  he  was  greatly  inclined.  He 
maintained  a  voluminous  correspondence  with  the  learned  scientists  of 
Europe  for  more  than  thirty  years,  —  with  Linnseus,  Gronovius,  Peter  Col- 
linson,  of  the  Royal  Society  of  London,  Peter  Kalm,  of  the  Royal  Acad- 
emy of  Stockholm,  the  Earl  of  Macclesfield,  Dr.  Franklin,  and  a  host  of 
others.  The  subjects  embraced  botauy,  history,  natural  history,  astron- 
omy, mathematics,  philosophy,  electricity,  and  medicine.  His  writings  all 
bear  evidence  of  indefatigable  industry,  of  solid  as  well  as  varied  acquire- 
ments, and  of  original  conceptions.  Mrs.  Golden  was  a  lady  of  genius, 
able  to  instruct  her  children, —  indeed,  took  almost  the  sole  charge  of  their 
education, —  and  assisted  her  husband  materially  in  his  literary  labors  and 
correspondence.  Colden  was  the  first  New-Yorker  who  achieved  an  ex- 
tensive transatlantic  reputation,  either  as  a  historian,  a  man  of  scientific 
acquirements,  or  as  a  philosophic  writer,  or  who  was  recognized  abroad 
solely  on  account  of  his  literary  labors.  His  connection  with  the  govern- 
ment of  New  York  from  time  to  time  will  appear  in  future  pages.  In 
1672  he  purchased  an  estate  of  one  hundred  or  more  acres  near  Flushing, 
Long  Island,  where  he  erected  a  substantial  country-house,  and  called 
the  place  Spring  Hill.  It  was  here  that  he  died,  in  1776,  and  was  buried 
in  a  private  cemetery  on  the  property.1 

The  speaker  of  the  Assembly  at  this  time  was  the  venerable  Robert  Liv- 
ingston. He  was  of  £reat  service  to  Burnet  in  the  affairs  of  the  Indians, 
which  had  become  more  complicated  than  ever.  An  active  trade  was  go- 
ing on  between  the  French  and  Indians  which  would  soon  prove  disas- 
trous to  New  York.  The  French  purchased  English  goods  in  New  York 
and  Albany,  and  sold  them  to  the  Indians.  Aside  from  the  profits  of  this 
commerce  to  the  French  themselves,  it  was  clear  that  the  Indians  would 
soon  get  under  their  controlling  influence ;  and  there  was  no  predicting 
the  terrible  power  which  might  be  used  against  the  province.  Burnet  at 
once  laid  plans  to  prevent  the  circuitous  trade,  by  the  encouragement  of 
direct  intercourse  with  the  red  men. 

Owing  to  his  duties  in  the  Assembly,  Livingston  desired  to  resign 
the  office  of  Secretary  of  Indian  Affairs  in  favor  of  his  son  Philip,  and 
Burnet  warmly  seconded  the  arrangement  by  writing  to  the  Lords  of 
Trade  and  speaking  of  the  younger  Livingston  in  high  terms.  The 

1  The  children  of  Lieutenant-Governor  Cadwallader  Colden  were  as  follows  :  1,  Alexander, 
2,  David,  died  in  infancy  ;  3,  Elizabeth,  married  Peter,  third  son  of  Hon.  Stephen  De  Lancey  ; 
4,  Cadwallader;  5,  Jane;  6,  Alice  ;  7,  Sarah,  died  young;  8,  John  ;  9,  Catherine  ;  10, 
David.    Genealogical  tfotes  of  the  Colden  Family  in  America,  by  Edwin  R.  Purple, 


516 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


result  was  a  commission  promptly  forwarded,  and  the  son  quietly  assumed 
the  father's  duties. 

Meanwhile  Burnet  actively  favored  a  bill  which  had  been  drafted  by 
Livingston  and  Morris,  forbidding  the  sale  of  such  goods  to  the  French, 
under  severe  penalties,  as  would  be  merchantable  to  the  Indians.  By 
this  means  the  French  would  be  compelled  to  procure  their  wares  from 
Boston  or  directly  from  England  at  advanced  prices.  The  merchants 
strenuously  opposed  the  measure  in  the  House.  They  had  been  re- 
ceiving cash  in  hand,  and  good  profits  on  their  goods,  and  the  loss  of 
such  a  valuable  trade  would  materially  affect  their  purses.  The  bill 
passed,  however,  and  was  cordially  approved  by  the  governor  and  council. 
Then  the  merchants  in  great  heat  appealed  to  the  Lords  of  Trade.  But 
the  Act  was  sustained  in  England,  and  its  manifold  advantages  were 
unquestionable. 

Burnet  purchased  Hunter's  country-seat  in  Amboy,  and  resided  there  a 
part  of  every  year.  His  public  duties  in  New  Jersey  were  scarcely  less 
onerous  than  in  New  York.  But  he  easily  overcame  the  slight  opposi- 
tion of  his  first  Assembly,  by  consenting  to  increase  the  circulating  me- 
dium of  the  province,  and  they  granted  him  an  annual  salary  of  £  500  for 
five  years.  Burnet  made  the  acquaintance  in  Amboy  of  John  Watson,  the 
first  portrait-painter  who  ever  took  up  his  permanent  abode  in  America. 
He  was  from  Scotland,  having  arrived  in  New  Jersey  in  1715.  He  was  an 
eccentric  man,  of  irascible  disposition  and  penurious  habits.  His  neigh- 
bors disliked  him.  They  stood  aloof  and  called  him  a  miser.  He  was  a 
crusty  bachelor.  His  family  consisted  of  himself  and  a  nephew  and  niece. 
He  was  unquestionably  a  man  of  taste  and  talent,  and  devoted  to  art,  but 
he  never  courted  the  favor  of  any  one.  Burnet  became  interested  in  him 
and  allowed  him  to  pen  miniature  sketches  of  himself  and  Mrs.  Burnet  in 
India  ink,  and  from  the  originals,  recently  discovered  by  Hon.  William  A. 
Whitehead,  the  New  Jersey  historian,  our  engravings  are  copied.  Between 
that  time  and  the  Revolution,  Watson  accumulated  a  collection  of  paint- 
ings, which  entirely  filled  one  of  his  houses  in  Amboy,  but  they  disap- 
peared during  the  war  and  have  never  since  been  traced.  The  painter 
himself  lived  to  an  old  age.  He  became  blind,  and  deaf,  and  bedridden, 
and  still  lived.  His  nephew  waited  with  some  impatience  for  the  "  dead 
man's  shoes."  "  Hope  deferred  actually  made  his  heart  sick."  He  could 
not  handle  the  bonds  and  mortgages  and  coin  until  the  proper  time,  which 
was  long  in  coming.  Meanwhile  he  had  an  heir's  affection  for  the  old 
house,  which  was  surely  going  to  decay  unless  it  had  a  new  roof.  So  he 
set  carpenters  privately  at  work,  and  had  it  unroofed  and  reroofed  while 
the  owner  was  living  in  it,  perfectly  unconscious  of  the  operation  which  was 


FIRST  PORTRAIT-PAINTER  IN  AMERICA. 


517 


in  progress  over  his  head.  One  morning  the  nephew  was  startled  by  the 
inquiry,  "  What  is  the  meaning  of  the  pecking  and  knocking  which  I  hear 
every  day  ?  "  The  heir  hesitated  a  moment,  then  replied  :  "  Pecking  ? 
pecking  ?  Oh  !  ay  !  't  is  the  woodpeckers  ;  they  are  in  amazing  quantities 
this  year,  leave  the  trees  and  attack  the  roofs  of  the  houses,  there  is  no 
driving  them  off."    And  the  old  man  was  satisfied. 

Eobert  Walters  was  the  mayor  of  the  city  from  1620  to  1625.  He 
was  one  of  the  wealthy  men  of  the  period,  liberal  and  public-spirited. 
He  lived  in  style,  kept  several  horses,  owned  a  large  number  of  negro 
slaves,  and  his  family  always  dressed  in  the  latest  fashion ;  but  they  never 
entertained  guests  except  their  own  immediate  relatives.  Mrs.  Walters 
had  turned  her  face  against  society  ever  since  her  father's  unhappy  death. 
Although  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  had  elapsed,  and  every  rep- 
aration had  been  made  by  the  government  which  was  possible,  the  sting 
remained,  and  it  was  with  her  incurable. 

About  this  time  Hon.  Abraham  De  Peyster  retired  from  the  office  of 
treasurer  of  the  province,  which  he  had  filled  ably  and  to  the  satisfaction 
of  all  parties  since  1706.  He  also  resigned  his  office  of  counselor  to  the 
governor,  much  to  the  regret  of  his  associates.  He  had,  through  all  the 
bitter  controversies  attendant  and  consequent  upon  the  Eevolution,  main- 
tained a  straightforward,  conscientious  course,  rigidly  adhering  to  the 
primitive  principles  of  honesty  and  justice,  and  we  find  him  in  his  advanced 
years  commanding  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  political  opponents, 
as  well  as  the  admiration  and  cordial  regard  of  his  more  immediate  friends. 
His  public  services  were  crowned  with  honor.  His  son,  Abraham  De 
Peyster,  Jr.,  was  appointed  treasurer  of  the  province  in  his  stead,  and  re- 
mained in  that  position  of  trust  forty-six  consecutive  years. 

Governor  Burnet  met  the  Indian  sachems  in  Albany  during  the 

1721. 

summer  of  1721,  and  was  so  affable  and  kind  to  them,  ignoring 
their  rude  ways,  and  the  stench  of  bear's-grease  with  which  they  were 
plentifully  bedaubed,  walking  and  talking  (through  an  interpreter)  and 
dining  with  them  every  day,  that  they  became  exceedingly  fond  of  him, 
and  were  quite  ready  to  bind  themselves  to  his  terms  of  peace.  In  order 
to  preserve  their  good-humor  the  more  effectually,  he  promised  to  found 
and  encourage  an  English  settlement  in  their  wild  country.  They  were 
greatly  pleased,  and  said  they  had  heard  that  he  was  married  in  New 
York  ;  they  were  glad,  and  wished  him  much  joy.  They  also  begged  leave 
to  present  the  bride  with  a  few  beavers,  for  pin-money,  and  added,  signifi- 
cantly, that  it  was  "customary  for  a  brother  upon  his  marriage  to  invite 
his  brethren  to  be  merry  and  dance." 

Burnet  laughed  heartily,  while  thanking  them  for  their  good  wishes. 


518 


HISTORY  OF  THE '■  CITY'  OF  NE W  YORK. 


When  he  had  distributed  the  presents  prepared  by  the  crown,  he  ordered 
several  barrels  of  beer  to  be  given  them,  "  to  rejoice  with  and  dance  over." 1 
One  of  the  sons  of  Colonel  Peter  Schuyler  offered  his  services  to  lead 
the  expedition  into  the  Iroquois  country,  and  Burnet  appointed  him  at 
once,  in  order  to  prove  that  he  had  no  personal  dislike  to  the  family,  even 
if  he  had  removed  the  father  from1  office!  Young  Schuyler  received  a 
captain's  commission,  a  handsome  salary,  and  several  substantial  presents 
for  his  outfit.  Ten  young  men  joined  him  in  the  enterprise,  and  went  pre- 
pared to  purchase  land,  erect  a  trading-house,  and  start  a  settlement.  Each 
took  with  him  a  stock  of  guns,  and  a  few  blankets,  beads,  and  other 
trinkets,  and  a  bark  canoe.  The  object  was  to  establish  a  permanent  and 
direct  trade  with  the  Indians.  The  company  were  absent  a  year,  when 
they  returned,  all  in  good  health,  having  developed  both  physically  and 
mentally,  and  laid  the  basis  of  not  a  few  colossal  fortunes.  They  had  ac- 
complished a  noble  work,  the  fruit  of  which  was  to  bless  New  York  in  all 
the  future.  Within  a  brief  period  over  forty  -  young  -men  had  followed 
their  example  by  plunging  boldly  into  the  Indian  country  as  traders; 
which  served  to  strengthen  the  precarious'  friendship'  existing  among 
remote  tribes.  •  . 

It  was  in  the  autumn  of  1721  that  Jonathan  Edwards,  fresh  from  the 

study  of  divinity  in  Yale  College,  came 
to  New  York  to  preach  the  gospel  to  a 
small  society  of  ■Presbyterians  who  had 
seceded  from  the  new  church  in  Wall 
Street.  New  York  had  an  ill  name  in 
New  England  at  that  time,  from  being 
as  the  Puritans  expressed  it,  "too  much 
given  to  Episcopacy."  The  "  show  and 
ostentation  and  purse-pride  "  which  pre- 
vailed in  the  metropolis  was  supposed 
by  the  New  Englanders  to  be  an  effect- 
ual barricade  to  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 
Therefore  a  company  of  clergymen  sent 
the  young  dominie  to  our  shores,  in 
much  the  same  spirit  that  missionaries 
are  now  sent  among  the  Bramins  of 

First  Presbyterian  Church,  Wall  Street.  HilldostaH. 

He  was  a  youth  of  oidy  nineteen, 
silent  and  uncommunicative,  but  he  had  the  air  and  dignity  of  mature 

1  Governor  Burnet  to  Lords  of  Trade,  October  16,  1721.  New  York  Coll.  MSS.,  Vol.  V. 
630  -  640. 


REV.  JONATHAN  EDWARDS. 


519 


manhood.  He  was  tall  and  slender,  stooped  slightly,  his  face  was  pale 
and  somewhat  wasted  but  singularly  refined,  and  he  always  dressed  in 
homespun  gray.  He  had  not  then  grasped  the  tenets  of  his  sect,  as  he 
did  at  a  later  date  with  the  eager,  enthusiastic  love  which  accompanies 
original  conceptions,  rather  than  with  the  languid  assent  with  which  an 
inherited  creed  is  usually  received.  His  education  was  not  even  com- 
pleted, and  in  a  few  months  he  returned  to  Yale,  where  as  pupil  and  then 
tutor  he  developed  into  one  of  the  shining  lights  of  Christianity.  "Writing 
afterwards  of  his  brief  labors  in  New  York,  he  said  :  "  If  I  heard  the  least 
hint  of  anything  that  happened  in  any  part  of  the  world  that  appeared  in 
some  respects  or  other  to  have  a  favorable  aspect  on  the  interests  of 
Christ's  kingdom,  my  soul  eagerly  catched  at  it ;  and  it  would  much  ani- 
mate and  refresh  me.  I  used  to  be  eager  to  read  public  news-letters, 
mainly  for  that  end ;  to  see  if  I  could  not  find  some  news  favorable  to  the 
interests  of  religion  in  the  world.  I  very  frequently  used  to  retire  into  a 
solitary  place  on  the  banks  of  Hudson's  River,  at  some  distance  from  the 
city,  for  contemplation  on  divine  things  and  secret  converse  with  God ; 
and  had  many  sweet  hours  there." 

The  subsequent  career  of  Edwards  is  familiar  to  every  American,  and 
his  influence  is  felt  to  this  day  by  millions  who  never  heard  his  name. 
"While  yet  a  young  man  sermons  and  volumes  from  his  pen  were  repub- 
lished in  Europe  and  widely  read.  The  picture  of  his  removal  into  the 
wilderness  with  his  wife  and  ten  children,  on  a  mission  to  the  Indians, 
after  he  had  passed  middle  life,  has  in  it  a  touch  of  religious  romance. 
Mrs.  Edwards  and  her  daughters,  in  order  to  solve  the  problem  of  daily 
food,  made  lace  and  painted  fans,  which  they  sent  to  Boston  to  be  sold. 
One  daughter  married  the  accomplished  Rev.  Aaron  Burr,  the  first  presi- 
dent of  Princeton  College,  and  her  son  was  the  notable  Aaron  Burr  of 
New  York.  Among  the  descendants  of  Rev.  Jonathan  Edwards  are  an 
army  of  distinguished  individuals,  —  men  of  worth,  talent,  and  high  posi- 
tion ;  women  gifted,  good,  and  beautiful. 

Meanwhile  the  Five  Nations  had  made  frequent  inroads  into  the 
province  of  Virginia,  contrary  to  the  treaty  long  since  consum- 
mated with  Lord  Effingham  at  Albany,  and  which  had  been  several 
times  renewed  by  subsequent  governors.  A  serious  affair  had  occurred 
in  Pennsylvania  during  the  summer  which  resulted  in  the  killing  of  an 
Indian  from  the  Five  Nations  by  one  of  the  white  settlers.  Sir  "William 
Keith  deemed  it  advisable  to  meet  the  sachems  and  come  to  some  under- 
standing in  regard  to  the  matter.  Burnet  was  somewhat  afraid  of  under- 
handed negotiations  with  subjects  of  the  New  York  government,  having 
had  certain  experiences  of  that  character  which  had  proved  disastrous,  and 


520 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK., 


went  to  see  the  sachems  himself,  expostulating  with  them  for  their  con- 
duct. They  said,  if  some  person  of  distinction  would  come  from  Virginia 
to  renew  the  covenant  chain,  they  would  keep  clear  of  that  territory  in 
all  their  future  hunting  and  warlike  expeditions ;  "  which  means,"  wrote 
Burnet  to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  "  that  a  fine  present  would  refresh  their 
memories."  Burnet  proposed  a  congress  of  governors  and  commissioners 
from  all  the  colonies  to  meet  the  Indian  chiefs  at  Albany.  The  object 
was  ostensibly  to  confirm  treaties,  but  really  to  produce  an  impression 
upon  the  Indian  mind  that  the  English  were  going  to  act  in  unison  as 
well  as  the  French,  and  become  stronger  and  more  powerful  than  the 
latter.  This  august  body  met  in  September.  Governor  Spottswood  of 
Virginia,  at  that  time  one  of  the  most  elegant  and  accomplished  men  on 
this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  came  in  person,  and  with  becoming  deference 
submitted  all  his  propositions  to  the  Indians,  first  to  Burnet  and  his 
counselors,  for  approval.  Sir  William  Keith  of  Pennsylvania  presided 
over  the  congressional  deliberations.  Burnet  acted  as  an  agent  for  Boston. 
The  session  occupied  several  days,  and  terminated  satisfactorily  to  all 
parties. 

This  Congress  framed  a  memorial  to  the  English  government,  asking  for 
orders  and  funds  to  erect  trading  posts  and  ports  through  the  Indian 
countries,  by  which  to  anticipate  and  prevent  the  encroachments  of  the 
French.  Such  measures,  then  easily  executed,  would  have  saved  the 
government  millions  of  dollars  and  much  innocent  blood.  But  England 
gave  no  heed  to  the  appeal,  and  the  project  was  reluctantly  abaudoued. 

The  country  beyond  the  Great  Lakes  had  not  yet  been  explored.  It 
was  oidy  known  as  the  far  West.  In  May  of  the  following  year  a  tribe  of 
1723.  Indians  appeared  in  Albany,  bringing  their  calumet-pipe  of  peace, 
May  and  singing  and  dancing,  as  was  customary  in  visiting  a  place  for 
the  first  time.  The  commissioners  of  Indian  affairs  could  not  under- 
stand their  language,  or  make  out  from  whence  they  came.  They  went 
away,  but  soon  returned,  bringing  an  interpreter  from  among  the  Iroquois, 
who  said  they  were  a  great  nation  with  six  castles  and  tribes,  from  Mich- 
ilimackinack,  and  wished  to  make  arrangements  to  buy  wares  of  the  Eng- 
lish. In  July  another  tribe  made  their  appearance,  for  the  purpose  of 
traffic,  who  said  the  French  had  built  a  fort  in  their  country  called  De- 
troit; and  before  September  eight  other  different  parties  of  strange  In- 
dians had  visited  Albany,  desiring  free  commerce,  —  thus  the  effect  of 
Burnet's  policy  was  becoming  apparent 

The  Lords  of  Trade  wrote  to  Burnet,  in  June,  1724,  that  the 
1724'  New  York  Act  for  laying  a  duty  of  two  per  cent  on  the  importa- 
tion of  European  goods  had  been  repealed  in  England.    They  also 


THE  FRENCH  PROTESTANTS. 


521 


directed  him  to  allow  the  passage  of  no  more  such  laws  "  upon  any 
pretense  whatsoever,"  hoping  he  would  find  some  other  method  for 
raising  money  to  build  a  fort,  the  purpose  for  which  the  Act  was  intended. 
They  were  in  receipt  of  grievous  complaints  from  the  New  York  mer- 
chants, relative  to  his  interference  with  the  French  trade ;  but  they  said, 
"  While  there  is  so  great  an  appearance  of  advantage  in  the  encourage- 
ment of  the  Indian  traffic,  you  may  depend  upon  it  we  shall  duly  con- 
sider their  objections  before  we  discourage  so  fair  a  beginning."  1 

Burnet  was,  like  his  father,  of  a  theological  turn  of  mind.  He  culti- 
vated an  intimate  social  acquaintance  with  the  clergymen  of  New  York, 
inviting  them  to  his  house  and  table  in  the  most  informal  manner,  and 
visiting  them  in  their  places  of  study  with  great  frequency. 

The  French  Protestants  just  at  this  juncture  became  dissatisfied  with 
their  pastor,  Rev.  Louis  Rou,  a  man  of  learning,  but  proud  and  passionate, 
and  dismissed  him,  in  favor  of  his  colleague,  who  was  distinguished  for 
dullness  and  goodness.  Whereupon  the  injured  divine  appealed  to  the 
governor  and  council,  protesting  against  the  Act  of  the  Consistory  as 
"  irregular,  unjust,  illegal,  and  without  sufficient  cause."  The  consistory 
were  summoned  before  a  committee  of  the  council,  of  which  Dr.  Colden 
was  chairman,  and  ordered  to  show  by  what  authority  they  were  a  court 
with  power  to  suspend  their  minister.  Mr.  Jamison  argued  at  some  length, 
that,  although  the  authority  of  the  officers  of  the  church  was  not  by  com- 
mission, it  was  actually  established  by  toleration  of  the  government.  Dr. 
Colden  remarked,  pointedly,  that  it  was  easy  to  show  their  power  if  they 
had  any,  and  he  expected  it  to  be  shown  immediately.  Mr.  Jamison  re- 
plied, that  by  the  same  power  they  called  a  minister  they  could  suspend 
him.  Dr.  Colden  insisted  that  the  power  should  be  shown.  Mr.  Jamison 
took  refuge  again  under  the  indulgence  of  the  government  and  usage. 
Dr.  Colden  told  him  he  must  show  that  usage.  The  interview  was  long 
drawn  out,  and  resulted  in  a  decision  by  the  committee,  that,  no  authority 
having  been  shown  by  the  Consistory  of  the  French  Protestant  Church 
for  suspending  their  minister,  they  had  therefore  no  such  authority.  The 
report  of  the  transaction,  signed  by  Dr.  Colden,  Pip  Van  Dam,  Robert 
Walters,  and  others,  contains  the  following  paragraph  :  — 

"  But  in  regard  to  the  French  Protestant  church  which  has  suffered  so  much 
and  is  at  this  time  suffering  in  France  on  Account  of  their  Religion,  and  in 
regard  to  the  great  numbers  of  the  French  Congregation  that  live  in  good  repute 
and  credit  in  this  place,  We  are  of  the  Opinion  that  the  said  Congregation  be 
admonished,  that  every  person  in  it  doe  all  in  his  Power  to  preserve  peace  and 

1  Lvrds  of  Trade  to  Governor  Burnet,  June  17,  1724.    New  York  Col.  MSS.,  V.  707. 
33 


522 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


unanimity  in  their  Congregation,  for  this  End  that  they  Endeavour  to  hring  this 
present  unhappy  difference  to  an  amicable  conclusion.  That  if  this  desirable 
End  cannot  be  Effected  the  Partys  who  shall  think  themselves  aggrieved  ought 
to  apply  to  the  Courts  of  Justice  in  this  Redress,  with  that  meekness  and  char- 
ity to  each  other  which  may  Encourage  the  Government  to  continue  towards 
them  the  generous  protection  under  which  they  have  been  long  easy,  and  that 
there  may  be  no  reason  now  to  think  that  they  grow  wanton  under  the  abun- 
dance of  Liberty  and  Plenty  which  they  Enjoy  here,  and  that  the  Ministers  of 
the  French  Congregation  who  shall  officiate  next  Sunday  be  ordered  to  Read 
Publickly  the  said  Opinion  and  Admonition  immediately  after  Divine  Service 
in  the  forenoon." 

Stephen  De  Lancey  was  one  of  the  principal  benefactors  of  this  church, 
and  was  very  indignant  at  the  interference  of  the  government.  He  had 
been  instrumental  in  removing  the  minister,  and  it  was  not  agreeable  to 
have  that  same  minister  reinstated  in  the  pulpit.  De  Lancey  was  one 
of  the  merchants  who  had  taken  exceptions  to  Burnet's  Indian  policy, 
and  had  lost  heavily  through  the  obstruction  of  commerce  with  the 
French.  The  two  provocations  rendered  him  a  bitter  foe,  and  his  impe- 
rious conduct  angered  the  governor.  The  following  summer  De  Lancey 
1735.  was  elected  by  the  city  of  New  York  to  the  Assembly.  When 
SePl-  the  House  came  together  Burnet  refused  to  administer  to  him  the 
oath  of  office  on  the  ground  that  he  was  not  a  British  subject.  De  Lancey 
proved  that  he  was  made  a  denizen  in  England  some  years  before,  and, 
besides,  he  had  served  in  several  former  assemblies.  The  House  decided 
in  his  favor,  and  with  considerable  show  of  arrogance  (through  Adolphe 
Philipse,  Speaker,  who  was  no  admirer  of  Burnet)  claimed  the  right  of 
judging  of  their  own  members,  and  pronounced  the  governor's  course 
unconstitutional.  An  interesting  feud  arose,  which,  as  months  rolled  on, 
several  times  assumed  threatening  proportions.  The  De  Lancey  party 
criticised  and  condemned  the  Court  of  Chancery,  and  disputed  Burnet's 
decrees  as  chancellor. 

Meanwhile,  a  newspaper  was  born.    William  Bradford,  who  introduced 
the  art  of  arts,  printing,  into  New  York  in  1G93,  had  up  to  this 

Oct.  16.  .         .  i 

time  been  chiefly  in  the  employ  of  the  government.  On  the  16th 
of  October,  he  issued  the  first  newspaper  in  New  York  City,  which  was 
purely  an  individual  enterprise.  It  was  a  half-sheet  of  foolscap  paper 
filled  with  European  news  and  Custom-House  entries.  It  was  called 
The  New  York  Gazette.  It  was  published  weekly,  and  advertised  to  be 
sold  by  Richard  Nicolls,  postmaster.  Before  the  end  of  the  following 
year  Bradford,  who  was  both  editor  and  printer,  received  .sufficient  en- 
couragement to  induce  him  to  increase  its  size  to  a  whole  sheet  of  foolscap 


THE  FIRST  NEWSPAPER  IN  NEW  YORK. 


523 


paper,  or  four  pages.  Bradford  was  the  founder  of  the  first  paper-mill  in 
this  country,  and  was  also  the  father  of  book-binding  and  of  copperplate 
engraving.1    Lyne's  map  of  New  York  in  1728  was  his  work. 

The  establishment  of  an  English  post  at  Oswego  annoyed  the  French 
beyond  measure.  They  feared  the  trade  from  the  upper  lakes  would  be 
drawn  thither,  and  thus  diverted  from  Montreal.  Hence  they  determined 
to  repossess  themselves  of  Niagara,  rebuild  the  trading-house  at  that  point, 
and  repair  their  dilapidated  fort.  The  consent  of  the  Onondagas  to  this 
measure  was  obtained  by  the  Baron  de  Longueil,  who  visited  their  coun- 
try for  the  purpose,  through  the  influence  of  Joncaire  and  his  Jesuit 
associates.  But  the  other  members  of  the  confederacy,  disapproving  of 
the  movement,  declared  such  permission  void.  The  chiefs  met  Burnet  in 
council  at  Albany  in  1726.  They  said,  "  We  come  to  you  howling, 
and  this  is  the  reason  why  we  howl,  that  the  governor  of  Canada  comes 
upon  our  land  and  builds  thereon."  The  governor  responded  in  a 
frank,  pleasing,  dignified  manner,  using  the  figurative  expressions  of  the 
Indian  dialect,  which  his  brawny  audience  seemed  to  highly  relish.  He 
could  talk,  however,  better  than  he  could  perform.  He  was  involved  in 
political  difficulties  with  a  factious  Assembly,  and  his  administration  was 
opposed  by  merchants  in  both  New  York  and  Albany,  who,  by  the  shrewd- 
ness of  his  Indian  policy,  and  the  vigorous  measures  with  which  he  had 
enforced  it,  had  been  interrupted  in  their  illicit  trade  in  Indian  goods  with 
Montreal.  He  could  do  very  little  for  the  protection  of  the  Indians.  He 
at  his  own  private  expense,  built  a  small  stone  fort  at  Oswego,  and  sent  a 
detachment  of  soldiers  to  garrison  it.  The  two  hundred  traders  already 
there  were  armed  as  militia.  At  the  same  time  the  French  secured  and 
completed  their  fortifications  at  Niagara  without  molestation.  In  De- 
cember, 1829,  through  representations  made  to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  which 
were  never  clearly  understood  by  those  who  sustained  Burnet,  an  Act  of 
the  Crown  repealed  the  measures  which  had  been  so  advantageous  to  New 
York,  and  which  in  effect  revived  the  execrable  roundabout  trade,  and 
reopened  the  door  of  intrigue  between  the  French  and  the  Iroquois,  which 
had  been  so  wisely  closed. 

Up  to  the  year  1726,  the  Reformed  Dutch  worshiped  in  the  little 
Garden  Street  Church.    But  increasing  numbers  warned  them  to 
provide  larger  accommodations.    They  purchased  a  building-lot 
(price  £  575.)  on  the  corner  of  Nassau  and  Liberty  Streets,  and  built  the 
Middle  Dutch  Church,  late  New  York  City  Post-Office.    The  corner- 
stone was  laid  in  1727.    It  was  opened  for  worship  in  1729.    It  was 

1  William  Bradford  was  of  noble  birth,  as  appears  from  his  escutcheon  ;  for,  although  for 
bidden  by  his  art  from  writing  himself  armigeru,  he  always  sealed  carefully  wkh  arms. 


524 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


not  finished,  however,  until  1731 ;  and  even  then  it  had  no  gallery 
for  some  years.  It  was  dedicated  to  the  "  Hon.  Kip  Van  Dam,  Presi- 
dent of  his  Majesty  s  Council  for  the  Province  of  New  York."  The  ceil- 
ing was  one  entire  arch  without  pillars.  It  was  a  substantial  stone 
building,  one  hundred  feet  long  and  seventy  wide,  with  a  good  steeple 
and  bell.  This  bell  was  cast  in  Amsterdam  in  1731.  It  was  by  order 
of  Hon.  Abraham  De  Peyster,  who  died  in  1728,  while  the  church  was 
in  process  of  completion.  He  directed  in  his  will  that  a  bell  should 
be  procured  in  Holland  at  his  expense  and  presented  to  the  hew  church. 
Tradition  says  that  a  number  of  Amsterdam  citizens  threw  silver  coin 


into  the  preparation  of  the  bell-metal.  It  certainly  has  a  silvery  ring. 
It  is  still  in  existence,  a  trophy  of  antiquity,  nearly  a  century  and  a  half 
old,  and  hangs  in  the  tower  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  corner  of 
Fifth  Avenue  and  48th  Street.1 

About  this  time  George  L  died,  and  George  II.  ascended  the  throne 
of  Eugland.    In  the  official  changes  which  followed,  Burnet  was  removed 

1  This  ancient  bell  was  secreted  from  the  British  soldiers,  who  occupied  the  Church  during 
the  Revolution,  and  when  the  edifice  was  repaired  and  reopened,  it  was  restored  to  its  original 
place  in  the  belfry,  where  it  remained  until  1844.  It  was  then  transferred  to  the  church  in 
Ninth  Street,  until  1855,  when  it  was  placed  on  the  church  in  Lafayette  Place.  The  steeple 
of  this  latter  church  was  taken  down  a  few  years  since,  and  the  bell  was  removed  to  the  tower 
of  Dr.  Ludlow's  church,  corner  of  Fifth  Avenue  and  48th  Street.    See  Appendix  B. 


The  Silver-Toned  Bell. 


GOVERNOR  JOHN  MONTGOMERY. 


525 


from  the  government  of  New  York  to  that  of  Massachusetts  and  New 
Hampshire.    He  had  but  little  to  take  with  him  from  New  York, 

1728. 

save  the  love  of  his  associates  and  his  books,  for  he  had  had 
neither  inclination  nor  opportunity  to  accumulate  money.  He  regretted 
the  change,  as  New  York  held  many  attractions  for  him.  And  he  was 
deeply  regretted '  by  those  who  knew  him  best.  His  culture,  learning, 
and  conversation  were  the  delight  of  men  of  letters,  and  his  influence 
was  healthful  upon  the  community.  Boston  had  heard  of  his  scholas- 
tic attainments  and  elegant  manners,  and  an  agreeable  reception  was 
in  store  for  him.  He  was  escorted  with  more  ceremony  on  his  over- 
land journey  from  New  York  to  Boston  than  was  '  ever  accorded  to  a 
royal  governor  in  the  colonies.  A  committee  from  Boston  met  him  on 
the  borders  of  Khode  Island.  Among  the  gentlemen  of  this  committee 
was  the  facetious  Colonel  Taylor.  Burnet  complained  of  the  long  graces 
which  were  said  at  the  meals  where  they  had  stopped  along  the  road, 
and  inquired  when  they  would  shorten.  "  The  graces  will  increase  in 
length  until  you  get  to  Boston  ;  after  that  they  will  shorten  till  you  come 
to  your  government  in  New  Hampshire,  where  your  Excellency  will  find 
no  grace  at  all,"  replied  Taylor.  A  more  than  ordinary  parade  marked 
the  governor's  entrance  into  Boston.  Multitudes  of  people  on  horses 
and  in  carriages  were  congregated  some  distance  from  the  city,  and  the 
display  was  long  spoken  of  as  something  unprecedented  in  the  history 
of  the  country.  He  did  not  rule  long,  however,  over  the  New  England 
colonies.  He  died  on  the  7th  of  September,  1729,  from  a  sudden  ill- 
ness caused  by  exposure  while  on  a  fishing  excursion. 

Governor  Burnet's  successor  in  New  York  was  Colonel  John  Mont- 
gomery. He  was  fresh  from  Court,  having  been  gentleman  of  honor  to 
Ceorge  II.  while  Prince  of  Wales.  He  was  a  soldier  by  profession,  though 
a  courtier  by  practice.  He  knew  something  of  diplomacy,  but  very  little 
of  the  world  in  general.  He  had  spent  an  indolent,  frivolous  life,  and  was 
without  sufficient  character  to  inspire  opposition. 

He  arrived,  April  16,  1728.  The  corporation  and  citizens  gave  him  a 
flattering  reception,  and  presented  him  a  congratulatory  address  in  a  gold 
box.  He  produced  a  favorable  impression  upon  the  Assembly  through 
his  unwillingness  to  sustain  the  Court  of  Chancery  only  as  a  matter  of 
form,  and  he  was  therefore  voted  a  five  years'  revenue. 

The  French  were  threatening  the  little  fort  at  Oswego,  and  it  became 
evident,  before  the  summer  was  over,  that  the  Indians  must  be  once  more 
mollified.  A  conference  took  place  with  the  sachems  in  Albany,  where 
Montgomery,  as  the  figure-head  of  the  government,  was  assisted  by 
James  De  Lancey,  (who  had  been  appointed  to  the  council  in  the  place  of 


526 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Mr.  Barbaric,  deceased),  Francis  Harrison,  Robert  Long,  George  Clarke,  tbe 
provincial  secretary,  and  Philip  Livingston,  and  also  by  the  mayor,  recorder, 
and  aldermen  of  Albany,  and  other  gentlemen.  It  occupied  several  days. 
The  sachems  and  attendant  Indians  entered  Albany  on  the  first  day  of 
October,  about  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  They  requested  an  inter- 
view with  the  governor  before  he  made  any  proposition  to  them.  They 
were  accordingly  conducted  to  his  lodgings,  and  after  an  interesting  pre- 
amble, the  chief  orator  of  the  party  made  the  following  speech  :  — 

"  Brother  Corlear,  —  Last  fall  a  message  with  a  token  was  sent  to  each 
nation,  acquainting  us  that  his  late  Majesty,  King  George  L,  was  deceased,  for 
which  we  were  very  much  concerned,  and  heartily  sorry,  because  he  was  a  king 
of  peace,  and  Almighty  protector  of  his  Subjects  and  Allies,  but  at  the  same 
time  we  received  the  good  news  that  the  prince,  his  son,  now  King  George  II., 
was  crowned  in  his  place,  and  hope  he  will  follow  his  father's  steps." 

They  then  gave  some  skins  to  the  governor. 

"We  were  acquainted  at  the  same  time  that  King  George  is  a  young  man. 
We  hope  he  will  follow  his  father's  steps,  that  he  may  be  as  a  large,  nourishing 
tree,  that  the  branches  thereof  may  reach  up  to  Heaven,  that  they  may  be  seen  of 
all  nations  and  people  in  the  world.  We  engraft  scions  on  the  same  branches, 
which  we  hope  will  thrive,  and  that  the  leaves  thereof  will  never  fade  nor  fall 
off,  but  that  the  same  may  grow  and  flourish,  that  his  Majesty's  subjects  and 
allies  may  live  in  peace  and  quiet  under  the  shade  of  the  name." 

They  gave  some  more  skins  to  the  governor. 

"  We  have  now  done  what  we  intended  to  say  at  present." 

Montgomery  replied :  — 

"  Brethren,  —  The  concern  you  express  for  the  loss  of  his  late  Majesty,  the 
King  of  Great  Britain,  will  recommend  you  very  much  to  the  favor  of  his  son. 
the  present  king,  who,  as  he  succeeds  to  the  throne,  inherits  all  his  virtues,  and 
I  hope  the  kind  message  I  am  to  deliver  to  you  from  him  to-morrow  will 
comfort  you  for  your  father's  death." 

He  then  presented  them  with  some  blankets,  shrouds,  and  a  few  barrels 
of  beer,  with  which  to  drink  the  king's  health. 

The  next  day  they  all  assembled  in  the  council-chamber,  and  Mont- 
gomery opened  the  conference  with  considerable  display  of  eloquence. 
He  said :  — 

"  Brethren,  —  It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  I  meet  you  here,  and  I  am  very 
sorry  that  I  could  not  do  it  sooner.  But  you  will  be  convinced  that  it  was  not 
my  fault  when  I  tell  you  that  in  crossing  the  great  lake  I  met  with  such 
violent  storms  that  I  was  driven  quite  off  this  coast,  ami  it  being  in  the  winter 


CONFERENCE  WITH  THE  INDIANS. 


527 


season  was  forced  to  go  a  great  way  southward  to  refit  the  man-of-war  in  which 
I  came.  So  it  was  five  months  after  I  sailed  from  England  before  I  arrived  at 
New  York.  The  business  which  was  absolutely  necessary  to  be  done  has 
detained  me  there  ever  since,  and  retarded  the  delivery  of  the  kind  message  I 
bring  you  from  my  master,  the  King  of  Great  Britain.  His  Majesty  has  ordered 
me  to  tell  you  that  he  loves  you  as  a  father  does  his  children,  and  that  his 
affection  towards  you  is  occasioned  by  his  being  informed  that  you  are  a  brave 
and  honest  people,  the  two  qualities  in  the  world  that  most  recommend  either 
a  nation  or  particular  persons  to  him.  He  has  been  informed  that  you  love  his 
subjects,  the  English  of  New  York,  and  desire  to  live  with  them  as  brethren. 
Therefore  he  has  commanded  me  to  renew  the  old  covenant-chain  between  you 
and  all  his  subjects  in  North  America,  and  I  expect  you  will  give  me  sufficient 
assurances  to  do  the  like  on  your  part." 

He  paused  and  presented  a  large  belt  of  wampum. 

"Besides  the  two  qualities  of  bravery  and  honesty,  his  Majesty  is  convinced 
that  you  are  a  wise  people,  and  good  judges  of  your  own  interests.  How  happy 
you  must  think  yourselves  when  the  greatest  and  most  powerful  monarch  in 
Christendom  sends  me  here  to  confirm  the  ancient  friendship  between  you  and 
his  subjects,  and  assure  you  of  his  fatherly  care,  and  to  tell  you  that  he  thinks 
himself  obliged  to  love  and  protect  you  as  his  own  children.  You  need  fear  no 
enemies  while  you  are  true  to  your  alliance  with  him.  I  promise  to  take  care 
that  no  one  shall  do  you  wrong,  and  if  any  of  your  neighbors  are  so  bold  as  to 
attempt  to  disturb  you,  have  no  fear  of  anything  they  can  do  so  long  as  the 
king  of  Great  Britain  is  on  your  side,  who  is  a  prince  initiated  in  war,  and 
formed  by  nature  for  great  military  achievements,  and  who  will,  whenever  there 
is  any  occasion  for  it,  put  himself  at  the  head  of  the  finest  body  of  troops  in  the 
world.  He  has  at  present  a  fleet  of  ships  in  so  good  order  and  so  well  com- 
manded that  they  would  be  master  of  the  great  lake,  though  the  fleets  of  all 
the  kings  of  Europe  were  joined  against  them." 

One  can  almost  hear  the  grunt  of  satisfaction  with  which  this  an- 
nouncement was  received  by  the  Indian  audience.  Montgomery  gave 
them  another  belt  of  wampum,  and  then  proceeded  :  — 

"  After  what  I  have  told  you  I  am  convinced  that  so  wise  a  people  as  you  are 
will  glory  in  behaving  as  becomes  the  faithful  children  of  so  great  and  powerful 
a  king,  who  loves  you." 

Another  grunt  all  round,  and  another  gift  of  a  belt  of  wampum. 

"  I  expect  you  are  now  convinced  thai  the  garrison  and  fort  at  Oswego  is  not 
only  for  the  convenience  of  the  far  Indians  to  carry  on  their  trade  with  the  peo- 
ple of  this  province,  but  also  for  your  security  and  convenience.    You  can  trade 


528 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


there,  and  on  as  easy  terms  as  if  none  other  Indians  traded  there  ;  therefore  I 
make  no  doubt  but  that  you  will  at  all  times  defend  this  garrison  against  all 
enemies,  according  to  your  former  promises.  I  desire  you  to  give  and  grant  to 
your  kind  father,  his  most  sacred  Majesty,  a  convenient  tract  of  land  near  Os- 
wego, to  be  so  cleared  and  manured  as  to  raise  provisions  for  his  men  and  pastur- 
age for  their  cattle." 

Another  gift  of  a  belt  of  wampum. 

"  I  hear  that  you  have  been  afraid  that  the  trade  with  the  far  Indians  would 
make  the  goods  you  want  dear,  but  I  can  assure  you  that  the  woolen  manufacto- 
ries of  Great  Britain  are  able  to  supply  the  whole  world.  The  greater  trade  that 
i.s  carried  on,  the  greater  will  be  the  supply  and  the  cheaper  the  goods.  I  do  en- 
treat you  to  be  kind  to  the  traders,  and  not  molest  them  as  they  go  back  and 
forth." 

Another  gift  of  a  belt  of  wampum. 

"  I  am  informed  that  the  Indians  from  Canada,  who  are  gone  with  the  French 
army  against  a  remote  Indian  tribe  have  been  among  you,  endeavoring  to  entice 
your  young  men  to  go  with  them  to  war  against  a  people  who  have  never  mo- 
lested you.  I  am  glad  your  young  nfen  refused,  whereby  you  sho.w  that  you  try 
to  cultivate  a  good  understanding  with  those  Indians,  and  encourage  the  good 
design  of  a  trade  betwixt  us  and  them.  I  expect  you  will  persist  in  your  good 
behavior  towards  these  and  all  other  remote  Indian  nations,  as  it  will  strengthen 
your  alliances  and  make  you  a  great  people." 

Another  gift  of  a  belt  of  wampum. 

"  His  most  gracious  Majesty,  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  your  indulgent  father, 
has  ordered  me  to  make  you  in  his  name  a  handsome  present  of  such  goods  as 
are  most  suitable  for  you,  which  you  shall  receive  as  soon  as  you  give  me  your 
answer." 

Montgomery  gave  them  still  another  string  of  wampum,  and  after  cer- 
tain tiresome  formalities,  the  savages  withdrew  to  consult  with  each  other 
and  prepare  their  reply.  On  the  4th  of  October,  all  things  being  ready, 
the  assemblage  was  once  more  convened.  The  orator  from  the  sachems 
of  the  Six  Nations  delivered  his  speech  thus:  — 

"Brother  Corlear,  —  We  are  very  glad  you  are  arrived  here  in  good 
health.  You  tell  us  that  your  master,  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  sent  you.  It 
is  a  very  dangerous  voyage,  the  coming  over  the  great  lake.  We  are  glad  you 
arrived  in  safety  because  of  the  good  message  you  bring  to  us  from  your  master. 
We  would  have  been  sorry  if  any  accident  had  happened  to  your  Excellency  on 
this  dangerous  voyage  You  tell  us  you  are  ordered  by  the  great  king,  your 


SPEECH  OF  THE  INDIAN  ORATOR. 


529 


master,  to  renew  in  his  name  the  old  covenant-chain  with  us,  and  not  only  to 
renew  the  same,  but  to  make  it  brighter  and  stronger  than  ever.  You  have 
renewed  the  old  covenant-chain  with  the  Six  Nations  in  the  name  of  your 
master,  the  King  of  Great  Britain.  We,  in  like  manner,  renew  the  covenant- 
chain." 

He  gave  a  belt  of  wampum,  and  continued  :  — 

"  This  silver  covenant-chain  wherein  we  are  linked  together,  we  make  stronger 
and  cleaner  that  it  may  be  bright.    We  shall  give  no  occasion  for  the  breach  of 

our  covenant  You  acquainted  us,  also,  that  the  great  King,  your  master 

and  our  father,  bears  great  kindness  to  us  as  a  father  does  to  his  children,  and 
if  any  harm  come  to  us  he  will  resent  it  as  if  it  was  done  to  his  children  on  the 
other  side  of  the  great  lake.  For  which  kind  message  we  return  our  most  hearty 
thanks." 

He  gave  another  belt  of  wampum. 

"  You  tell  us  that  the  reason  why  his  Majesty,  our  father,  so  affectionately 
loves  us  is  because  we  are  honest  and  brave.  It  is  true,  what  you  say,  that  the 
Six  Nations,  when  they  are  sober  and  not  in  drink,  will  not  molest  or  injure  any- 
body, but  the  strong  liquors  which  your  people  bring  up  into  our  country  beget 

quarrels  Our  ancestors  brought  their  own  rum  from  Albany  when  they 

wanted  it.  We  desire  that  you  shall  not  allow  liquor  brought  to  Oswego  to  be 
sold,  but  let  such  as  want  rum  go  to  your  city  for  it.  Do  not  refuse  our  re- 
quest, but  grant  it  effectually.  We  have  lost  many  men  through  liquor  which 
has  been  brought  up  to  our  country  and  occasions  our  people  killing  one  an- 
other." 

The  tall,  straight,  lithe,  robust  chieftain  talked  for  hours,  and  said  much 
that  was  sensible  and  indicative  of  sober  reflection  and  civilized  intelli- 
gence. He  said  the  traders  should  be  allowed  to  pass  and  repass  freely 
through  their  country,  without  interference,  provided  they  were  laden 
with  such  goods  as  powder,  lead,  and  useful  wares,  but  not  with  rum. 
He  said  the  Six  Nations  would  mark  out  a  tract  of  land  near  Oswego, 
where  the  English  might  plant  and  sow,  and  pasture  cattle  according  to 
their  desire  ;  but  after  the  land  was  once  marked  out,  the  Indians  would 
not  be  pleased  to  have  the  English  go  beyond  the  limits.  As  for  defend- 
ing the  fort  at  Oswego  if  it  was  attacked,  the  orator  dryly  begged  leave  to 
acquaint  the  governor  that  the  Six  Nations  gave  permission  to  have  the 
fort  and  trading-house  established  there,  because  they  were  told  it  was  to 
be  built  on  purpose  to  defend  and  protect  them  (the  Six  Nations),  and 
they  relied  upon  the  performance  of  those  promises.  In  regard  to  there 
being  wool  enough  in  England  to  supply  all  the  world,  he  was  very  glad. 
Oswego  was  a  convenient  place  for  trade,  and  where  all  the  far  Indians 

34 


530 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


must  necessarily  pass.  But  the  Six  Nations  thought  goods  ought  to  be 
sold  cheaper  to  them  than  to  anybody  else.  He  thanked  Montgomery  for 
the  present  which  he  had  brought  from  the  great  king,  his  master,  but  as 
night  was  approaching,  asked  him  to  delay  delivering  it  until  the 

morrow. 

Montgomery  responded  briefly,  saying  that  it  was  absolutely  necessary 
to  send  rum  to  Oswego  for  the  refreshment  of  the  men  in  the  garrison, 
but  that  he  should  give  orders  that  none  should  be  sold  to  the  In- 
dians. He  thanked  the  savages  for  the  promised  land,  and  said  no  one 
should  go  beyond  the  bounds  fixed  ;  as  for  the  fort,  it  was  indeed  built  for 
the  protection  of  the  Six  Nations,  but  if  attacked  by  any  party  whatso- 
ever, he  should  expect  them  to  assist  the  English  garrison  to  defend  it,  as 
nothing  could  be  more  natural  than  for  them  to  assist  in  the  defense  of  a 
place  which  was  maintained  for  their  security.  He  then  desired  the 
Indians  to  send  two  of  their  number  the  next  morning  to  receive  the 
presents. 

That  same  evening  two  of  the  principal  sachems  called  at  the  govern- 
nor's  lodgings  and  requested  a  private  interview.  They  wished  to  make 
some  explanations  concerning  the  defense  of  the  Oswego  fort  if  it  should 
be  attacked.  They  were  quite  willing  to  do  their  part,  they  said,  and 
desired  to  correct  the  impression  made  upon  the  governor's  mind  by  the 
orator's  significant  allusion  to  the  subject.  They  wanted  a  magazine 
provided,  and  questioned  pointedly  in  regard  to  the  possibilities  of  an- 
other war  between  England  and  France.  They  were  sorely  troubled  about 
the  rum  business.  It  was  exceedingly  mischievous  in  its  effects.  If 
rum  must  be  brought  to  the  trading-house  at  Oswego,  they  begged  for 
strict  orders  that  it  should  not  be  carried  to  their  castles. 

The  minor  details  of  the  conference  occupied  the  three  following  days. 
When  the  Indians  finally  departed,  Montgomery  enjoined  upon  them  the 
necessity  of  watching  their  young  men  on  the  homeward  journey,  lest 
they  do  mischief  to  the  cattle  of  the  country  people  along  their  route. 

This  renewal  of  the  ancient  covenant-chain  with  the  Indians  was  ex- 
tremely seasonable,  for  the  next  spring  the  French  prepared  to  demolish  the 
Oswego  fort.  News  reached  New  York  in  time,  and  a  reinforcement  was 
sent  in  great  haste  to  the  help  of  the  little  garrison,  which,  together  with 
the  understanding  that  the  Indians  were  pledged  to  assist  in  the  defense 
of  the  post,  effectually  prevented  the  attack,  and  from  that  time  to  1754, 
it  remained  undisturbed,  and  was  the  source  of  great  profit  to  New  York. 

James  De  Lancey,  whose  name  appears  in  connection  with  this  confer- 
ence, was  the  elder  son  of  Stephen  De  Lancey  and  Anne  Van  Cortlandt. 
He  was  a  young  man,  only  about  twenty-six  years  of  age,  and  a  happy 


JAMES  DE  LANCEY. 


531 


bridegroom,  having  recently  married  Anne  Heath  cote,  the  elder  of  the 
two  daughters  of  Hon.  Caleb  Heathcote.1  He  had  been  educated,  after 
attending  the  best  schools  New  York  afforded,  in  England,  where  he  en- 
tered the  University  of  Cambridge, 
as  a  Fellow  -  Commoner  of  Corpus 
Christi  College,  on  the  2d  of  October, 
1721.  The  Master  of  Corpus  was 
then  Dr.  Samuel  Bradford,  afterwards 
Bishop  of  Carlisle,  and  Bochester. 
The  gentleman  whom  young  De  Lan- 
cey  chose  for  a  tutor  was  the  learned 
Dr.  Thomas  Herring,  who  became 
successively  Bishop  of  Bangor,  Arch- 
bishop of  York,  and  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury.  The  master  and  pupil 
kept  up  an  intimacy  by  letter,  long 
after  the  one  became  primate  of  all 
England,  and  the  other  chief  justice  Portrait  of  Caieb  Heathcote. 

and  lieutenant-governor  of  New  York, 

and  the  richest  man  in  America.  In  the  various  political  controversies 
in  which  De  Lancey  was  afterwards  involved,  the  Archbishop's  influence 
was  exerted  in  his  behalf  at  the  court  of  Great  Britain's  sovereign. 

De  Lancey  commenced  the  practice  of  law  immediately  upon  his  return 
to  New  York,  and  soon  rose  to  eminence  at  the  bar.  He  was  one  of  the 
most  brilliant  and  successful  advocates  of  his  time.  His  sound  and  cul- 
tivated judgment  won  him  the  respect  and  confidence  of  the  community, 
and  his  influence  broadened  and  deepened  with  every  passing  year.  He 
possessed  a  large  library  collected  in  Europe,  and  was  greatly  devoted  to 
books.  The  classics  were  to  him  as  household  words.  He  was  ardently 
devoted  to  progress,  and  lent  his  careful  attention  to  every  topic  of  inter- 
est from  law  to  agriculture.  He  had  also  many  personal  attractions  and 
was  a  charming  social  companion.2 

1  In  Governor  Montgomery's  letter  to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  dated  May  30,  1728,  in  which  he 
recommends  James  De  Lancey  as  a  suitable  appointee  for  the  council  in  place  of  Mr.  Barbaric, 
deceased,  he  says  "  He  is  in  every  way  qualified  for  the  post  ;  his  father  is  an  eminent  merchant, 
a  member  of  the  Assembly  and  one  of  the  richest  men  in  the  province."  James  De  Lancey 
started  in  life  with  a  fortune,  and  his  bride  inherited  half  of  her  father's  large  estate  real  and 
personal.  Hon.  Caleb  Heathcote  was  mayor  of  the  city  of  New  York  for  three  years,  was  one 
of  the  governor's  counselors,  was  the  first  mayor  of  the  borough  of  Westchester,  was  judge  of 
Westchester,  was  colonel  of  the  militia  all  his  life,  was  commander-in-chief  of  the  colony's 
forces  for  a  considerable  period,  and  from  1715  to  1721  was  receiver-general  of  the  customs  for 
all  North  America.    His  daughter  Martha  married  Dr.  Johnson  of  Perth  Amboy. 

2  Etienne  (Stephen)  De  Lancey  —  the  name  originally  "de  Lanci,"  and  in  the  16th  and 
17th  centuries  "de  Lancy,"  was  in  the  18th  Anglicized^  "Do  Lancey" — was  born  in 


532 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


The  year  1729  was  marked  by  the  gift  of  a  valuable  library,  consisting 
i73g  of  1,622  volumes,  to  the  city  of  New  York.  This  favor  emanated 
directly  from  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in 
Foreign  Parts,  the  books  having  been  bequeathed  to  that  organization 
by  Rev.  John  Millingtou.  To  these  were  added  a  small  collection  which 
had  been  donated  to  the  city  in  the  beginning  of  the  century,  by  the  llev. 
John  Sharpe,  and  the  whole  was  carefully  arranged  in  a  room  in  the 
City  Hall  in  Wall  Street,  and  opened  to  the  public  as  the  "  Corporation 
Library."  Mr.  Sharpe  was  appointed  librarian.  It  became  at  once  a 
popular  resort ;  even  gentlemen  from  Pennsylvania  and  Connecticut  were 
permitted  to  borrow  rare  volumes,  and  keep  them  for  an  indefinite  period. 
After  Mr.  Sharpe's  death  the  books  were  without  care,  and  the  room 
which  contained  them  seldom  accessible.  In  1754  a  few  public-spirited 
citizens  founded  the  New  York  Society  Library,  and  obtained  permission 
from  the  Common  Council  to  combine  with  it  this  old  Corporation  Library. 

the  city  of  Caen,  Normandy,  in  1663.  At  the  revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes  in  1685,  his 
father  the  Seigneur  Jacques  (James)  de  Lancy  was  dead,  and  his  mother  was  too  aged  to 
fly  ;  she  was  concealed,  while  young  Stephen  escaped  to  Rotterdam  in  Holland.  The  follow- 
ing year  he  came  to  New  York  by  the  way  of  London,  where  he  was  denizened  a  British  sub- 
ject.  He  married,  in  1700,  Anne,  the  daughter  of  Hon.  Stephanos  Van  Cortlandt  and  Gertrude 
Schuyler.  Their  children  were  :  1,  James,  born  1703,  who  married  Anne,  daughter  of  Hon. 
Caleb  Heathcote  and  Martha  Smith  ;  2,  Peter,  who  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Lieuten- 
ant-Governor Cadwallader  Coldcn  ;  3,  Stephen,  who  died  unmarried  ;  4,  John,  who  died  un- 
married ;  5,  Oliver,  member  of  the  governor's  council,  and  brigadier-general  ;  6,  Susanna, 
who  married  Admiral  Sir  Peter  Warren  ;  7,  Ann,  who  married  Hon.  John  Watts. 

James  De  Lancey's  children  were  as  follows  :  1,  James,  who  married  Margaret,  daughter 
of  Chief  Justice  William  Allen  of  Pennsylvania  ;  2,  Stephen,  who  married  Hannah  Sacket  ; 
3,  Heathcote,  who  died  unmarried  ;  4,  John  Peter,  who  married  Elizabeth  Floyd  ;  5,  Maria, 
who  married  William  Walton  ;  6,  Martha,  who  died  unmarried  ;  7,  Susanna,  who  died  un- 
married ;  8,  Ann,  who  married  Hon.  Thomas  Jones. 

John  Peter  De  Lancey's  children  were  as  follows  :  1,  Thomas  James,  who  married  Mary  J. 
Ellison  ;  2,  Edward  Floyd,  who  died  unmarried  ;  3,  William  Heathcote,  who  married  Frances, 
daughter  of  Peter  Jay  Munro,  and  became  Bishop  of  Western  New  York  ;  4,  Anne  Charlotte, 
who  married  John  Loudon  McAdam,  the  originator  of  macadamized  roads  ;  5,  Susan  Augusta, 
who  married  James  Fenimore  Cooper,  the  novelist  ;  6,  Maria,  who  died  young  ;  7,  Elizabeth 
Caroline,  who  died  unmarried  ;  8,  Martha  Arabella,  who  never  married. 

Thomas  James  De  Lancey's  only  child  was  a  son,  also  Thomas  James,  who  married  Frances 
A.  Bibby,  but  died  without  issue. 

William  Heathcote  De  Lancey's  children  were  as  follows  :  1,  Edward  Floyd,  who  married 
Josephine  M.  De  Zeng  ;  2,  Margaret  M.,  who  married  Dr.  Thomas  F.  Rochester;  3,  Elizabeth, 
who  died  young  ;  4,  John  Peter,  who  married  Wilhemina  V.  Clark  ;  5,  Peter  Munro,  who 
died  unmarried  ;  6,  William  Heathcote,  who  died  in  infancy  ;  7,  Frances,  who  died  young; 
8,  William  Heathcote,  who  married  his  cousin,  Elizabeth  I).  Hunter. 

The  children  of  Peter  De  Lancey,  second  son  of  Stephen  De  Lancoy,  were  :  1,  Stephen,  who 
married  Esther  Rynderts,  and  was  recorder  of  Albany  ;  2,  John,  whose  only  daughter  mar- 
ried Governor  Joseph  L.  Yates;  3,  James;  4,  Oliver,  who  married  Rachel  Hunt  ;  5,  War- 
ren; 6,  Peter;  7,  Alice,  married  the  celebrated  Ralph  Izard  of  South  Carolina;  8,  Anne, 
married  John  Coxe  of  the  West  Indies  ;  9,  Jane,  married  Hon.  John  Watts  (the  younger) ; 
10,  Susanna,  married  Colonel  Thomas  Barclay. 


THE  CITY  CHARTER. 


533 


A  Jewish  cemetery  was  laid  out  during  the  summer.  It  was  bounded  by 
Chatham,  Oliver,  Henry,  and  Catharine  Streets.  It  was  given  by  Mr.  Wil- 
ley  of  London,  to  his  three  sons,  who  were  merchants  in  New  York,  with 
the  expectation  that  it  would  be  used  as  a  burial-place  for  the  Jews  forever. 
Could  the  eye  of  the  good  Hebrew  have  penetrated  into  the  future, 
what  must  have  been  his  emotion  !  Warehouses  of  every  size  and  descrip- 
tion have  for  long  years  covered  the  site  of  this  sacred  enclosure,  —  com- 
merce has  effectually  monopolized  the  space  allotted  for  the  sleeping  dead. 

The  chief  event  during  Montgomery's  administration,  which  tended 
towards  rendering  his  name  interesting  in  history,  was  the  grant-  173() 
ing  of  a  new  charter  to  the  city,  with  an  increase  of  powers  and 
privileges.  It  was  accomplished  chiefly  through  the  exertions  of  De 
Lancey,  and  in  courteous  acknowledgment  of  the  same,  the  corporation 
voted  him  the  freedom  of  the  city.  This  charter,  henceforth  known  as 
Montgomery's  charter,  recited  the  charter  of  1786 ;  and  extended  the 
limits  of  the  city  to  four  hundred  feet  below  low-water  mark  on  Hudson 
River,  from  Bestaver's  Rivulet  southward  to  the  fort,  and  from  thence  the 
same  number  of  feet  around  the  fort  beyond  low-water  mark,  and  along 
the  East  River  as  far  as  the  north  side  of  Corlear's  Hook.  It  gave  the 
city  the  sole  power  of  establishing  ferries  about  the  island,  with  all  the 
profits  accruing  therefrom;  it  also  granted  or  confirmed  the  lands  held  on 
Long  Island,  and  all  the  docks,  slips,  market-houses,  etc.,  upon  Manhat- 
tan Island.  It  secured  to  the  city  the  appointment  of  all  the  subordinate 
officers,  and  the  power  to  hold  a  Court  of  Common  Pleas  every  Tuesday ; 
also  authority  to  make  or  repeal  suck  by-laws  and  ordinances  as  were 
desirable,  and  to  erect  all  necessary  public  buildings.1  The  extent  of  the 
city  at  this  period  is  best  illustrated  by  the  map,  which  was  made  from 
an  actual  survey  by  James  Lyne  in  1728. 

It  was  not  long  afterward  before  Greenwich  and  Washington  Streets 
were  rescued  from  the  water.  Three  new  slips  were  also  built,  one  oppo- 
site Morris  Street,  another  opposite  Exchange  Place,  and  the  third  oppo- 
site Rector  Street.    In  December  of  the  same  year  a  line  of  stages 

J  °      Dec.  6. 

was  established  between  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  which  per- 
formed the  tedious  journey  once  a  fortnight.  The  city  was  divided  into 
seven  wards  the  following  spring,  and  the  first  steps  taken  to  organize  a 
fire  department.  Hitherto  the  leathern  fire-buckets  which  every  family 
was  obliged  to  possess,  were  the  only  resource  in  case  of  fire.  When  the 
confusion  and  danger  consequent  upon  such  an  occurrence  were  over,  the 
buckets  were  thrown  into  a  promiscuous  pile,  and  the  town-crier  shouted 
for  each  bucket  proprietor  to  come  and  identify  his  own.    It  was  the  har- 

\Kent's  Book  of  C/iarters.    Hoffman.    New  York  City  Records. 


534 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


vest  moment  for  the  boys,  and  there  was  often  great  strife  among  them 
who  should  carry  home  the  richest  man's  bucket.  Finally  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  procure  from  London,  "  by  the  first  conveniency,"  two 
fire-engines.  They  soon  reported  a  contract  effected  with  Stephen  De 
Lancey  and  John  Moore,  for  the  importation,  by  the  ship  Beaver,  "  of  two 
of  Mr.  Newsham's  new  inventions,  fourth  and  sixth  sizes,  with  suctions, 
leathern  pipes  and  caps,  and  other  materials  thereuuto  belonging." 

Men  were  employed  the  next  winter  to  fit  up  a  room  in  the  City  Hall 
for  the  reception  of  the  two  great  wonders  of  the  century.    It  was  in 

1736,  April  15,  that  the  first  effort  was  made  to  build  an  engine-house. 
It  was  located  on  Broad  Street,  adjoining  the  watch-house.    In  October, 

1737,  the  legislature  appointed  twenty-four  able-bodied  men  from  the 
city  to  work  and  play  the  engines  upon  all  necessary  occasions,  and  en- 
acted a  law  regulating  their  duties.  Thus  was  formed  the  first  fire-com- 
pany in  the  city. 

And  presently  a  new  market  was  established  a  little  to  the  north  of  the 
ferry  on  the  Hudson  River,  for  the  accommodation  of  New  Jersey  people. 
The  most  notable  market  (simply  a  market  stand)  in  the  city  just  then 
was  in  the  middle  of  Broadway,  opposite  Liberty  Street ;  the  country 
wagons  that  stood  there  on  a  market  morning  stretched  quite  a  distance 
in  the  direction  of  Trinity  Church,  and  the  plenty  and  variety  they 
afforded  in  the  way  of  edibles  were  much  commented  upon  by  foreigners. 
The  old  market-place  near  Whitehall  Street  was  about  this  time  divided 
into  lots  and  sold  at  auction,  bringing  an  average  price  of  about  £260. 
Pearl  Street  was  extended  into  a  common  road  a  little  to  the  north  of 
Wall  Street  in  1732.  It  took  the  line  of  the  old  cow-path  which  led  to 
the  common  pasture. 
i73i.  The  year  1731  was  distinguished  by  the  settlement  of  the  dis- 
Mayi4.  pUted  1  m hi ndary-line  between  New  York  and  Connecticut.  An 
agreement  was  signed  by  the  surveyors  and  commissioners  of  both  colo- 
nies. A  tract  of  land  lying  on  the  Connecticut  side,  consisting  of  abovfj 
sixty  thousand  acres,  and  from  its  figure  called  the  Oblong,  was  ceded  to 
New  York,  as  an  equivalent  for  lands  near  the  Sound  surrendered  to 
Connecticut.  The  very  day  after  the  transaction  a  patent  to  Sir  Joseph 
Kyles  and  others,  intended  to  convey  the  whole  Oblong,  was  executed  in 
London.  A  posterior  grant,  however,  was  issued  here  to  Hanley  and 
Company,  of  the  greater  part  of  the  same  tract,  which  the  British  pat- 
entees brought  a  bill  in  Chancery  to  repeal.  The  defendants  filed  an  an- 
swer containing  so  many  objections  against  the  English  patent  that  the 
suit  was  abandoned  indefinitely,  and  the  American  proprietors  have  ever 
since  held  possession  of  the  property.    Francis  Harrison  of  the  council 


536 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  XEW  YORK. 


solicited  this  controversy  for  Sir  Joseph  Eyles  and  his  partners,  which 
contributed  in  a  large  degree  to  the  troubles  so  remarkable  in  the  suc- 
ceeding administration.1 

The  sudden  death  of  Governor  Montgomery  on  the  1st  of  July,  1731, 
cast  a  brief  shadow  over  the  skies.  He  had  avoided  quanels,  consequent- 
ly had  made  few  enemies.  He  had  had  no  particular  scheme  to  pursue 
for  his  own  or  others'  aggrandizement,  and,  drifting  along  in  a  peaceful,  un- 
interrupted stream  of  commonplaces,  was  regarded  as  amiable,  and  prob- 
ably came  as  near  inspiring  affection  as  is  possible  for  any  good-natured 
inactive  man  of  moderate  abilities. 

The  government  devolved  upon  Rip  Van  Dam,  the  oldest  member 
and  president  of  the  council,  and  a  well-known  merchant  of  wealth  and 
high  respectability.  He  was  spoken  of  as  "  one  of  the  people  of  figure." 
He  took  the  oaths  of  office  in  the  presence  of  James  Alexander,  Abraham 
Van  Home,  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  Archibald  Kennedy,  and  James  De 
Lancey.2  The  small-pox  was  raging  throughout  the  city,  and  the  As- 
sembly, having  been  adjourned  from  one  date  to  another,  at  last  convened 
at  "  the  house  of  Mr.  Rutgers  near  the  Bowery  Road."  One  of  the  first 
subjects  to  which  the  attention  of  the  legislators  was  called  was  the 
startling  encroachments  of  the  French  at  Crown  Point.  They  had  actually 
erected  a  fort,  enclosed  it  with  stockades,  and  garrisoned  it  with  eighty 
men,  at  the  south  end  of  Lake  Champlain.  The  country  belonged  to  the 
Six  Nations,  and  the  very  site  of  the  fort  was  included  within  a  patent  to 
Dellius,  the  Dutch  minister  of  Albany,  granted  under  the  Great  Seal  of 
the  province  in  1696.  Nothing  could  be  more  evident  than  the  danger 
to  which  New  York  was  thus  exposed.  It  was  through  Lake  Champlain 
that  the  French  and  Indians  made  their  former  bloody  incursions  upon 
Schenectady,  the  Mohawk  castles,  and  Deerfield  ;  and- the  erection  of  this 
fort  was  apparently  to  facilitate  inroads  upon  the  English  settlers  along 
the  frontiers,  ft  served  as  an  asylum  after  the  perpetration  of  inhumani- 
ties, and  was  a  depot  for  provisions  and  ammunition. 

The  Commissioners  of  Indian  Affairs  at  Albany  had  discovered  this 
palpable  infraction  of  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  and  sent  a  letter  to  Van 
Dam  by  the  hand  of  Colonel  Myndert  Schuyler.3    Van  Dam  laid  the 

1  Smith,  Vol  I.  245. 

2  It  seems  that  Lewis  Morris,  Jr.,  was  suspended  from  the  council  for  words  dropped  in  a 
dispute  relating  to  the  governor's  drafts  upon  the  revenue,  on  the  same  day  that  James  De  Lan- 
cey wns  elevated  to  that  honorable  position. 

*  Smith,  the  great  authority  of  the  history  of  this  period,  is  evidently  in  an  error  respecting 
the  manner  in  which  Van  Dam  received  the  first  information  of  this  encroachment.  The 
letter  of  Governor  Belcher  was  not  received  until  some  time  after  Van  Dam  had  been  notified 
by  the  Commissioners  at  Albany,  and  it  was  in  answer  to  one  written  to  him  by  Van  Dam. 


RIP  VAN  DAM  ACTING  GOVERNOR  OF  NEW  YORK.  537 


subject  before  the  House.  It  was  duly  considered,  and  ways  and  means 
discussed  to  put  a  stop  to  the  audacious  movements  at  the  north.  It 
was  very  clear  that  the  French  could  march  on  Albany  in  three  days 
from  Crown  Point,  in  case  a  rupture  should  happen  between  France  and 
England,  which  was  always  possible  at  any  moment.  And  in  the  mean 
time  the  beaver  and  fur  trade  might  be  obstructed  at  Oswego.  The  fol- 
lowing resolutions  were  finally  adopted:  "1,  That  the  president  repre- 
sent the  case  to  the  king ;  2,  That  the  Commissioners  of  Indian  Affairs 
at  Albany  dispose  the  Six  Nations,  particularly  the  Senakas,  to  pre- 
vent the  French  from  obstructing  the  trade ;  and,  finally,  That  his  Honor 
be  further  addressed  that  he  will  be  pleased  to  send  copies  of  the  above- 
mentioned  letters  and  minutes  to  the  governors  of  Connecticut,  Massa- 
chusetts, and  Pennsylvania,  inasmuch  as  the  said  attempts  may  affect 
them  likewise." 

As  acting  governor  of  New  York,  Van  Dam  was  singularly  consistent 
in  all  his  acts.  He  made  no  effort  to  overreach  his  authority,  but  quietly 
and  resolutely  maintained  his  views  of  right  and  justice,  without  apparent 
thought  of  himself.  He  was  opposed  to  Courts  of  Chancery,  and  refused 
to  take  the  oaths  of  Chancellor,  notwithstanding  direct  instructions  from 
the  English  government,  and  the  damage  it  was  likely  to  inflict  upon  the 
revenue.  No  other  court  possessed  authority  to  compel  the  payment  of 
quit-rents,  or  to  adjudicate  contested  titles ;  hence  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
anti-rentists  were  favored  by  this  course,  and  it  no  doubt  led  to  some  of 
the  serious  subsequent  events.  Immediately  after  the  news  of  the 
death  of  Governor  Montgomery  reached  England,  the  government  of 
the  province  was  committed  to  Colonel  William  Cosby.  This  latter 
gentleman  had  formerly  governed  Minorca,  and  exposed  himself  to  much 
criticism  during  his  residence  on  that  island ;  among  other  offensive 
things  he  had  ordered  the  effects  of  a  Catalan  merchant,  residing  at 
Lisbon,  to  be  seized  at  Port  Mahon  in  1718,  several  months  before  the 
war  of  that  year  was  actually  declared  against  Spain,  and  he  was  charged 
with  scandalous  practices  to  secure  the  booty,  by  denying  the  right  of 
appeal,  and  secreting  the  papers  tending  to  detect  the  iniquity  of  the 
sentence.  These  rumors  reached  New  York  Ion"  before  the  new  aoyernor 
himself,  who  remained  in  London,  leaving  Van  Dam  to  supply  his  place, 
for  thirteen  mouths.  During  part  of  this  time  New  York  was  in  dread 
of  a  law  before  Parliament,  called  the  Sugar  Bill,  which  was  manifestly 

Chamber  of  Commerce  Records,  by  J.  Austin  Stevens,  p.  108.  "The  error  of  Smith  in  his 
statement  was  first  pointed  out  by  Dr.  O'Callaghan,  in  a  MS.  note,  communicated  to  the 
New  York  Historical  Society."  Letter  of  Van  Dam.  to  Secretary  Popple,  October  29,  1731. 
Letter  of  Van  Dam  to  Lords  of  Trade,  November  2,  1731.    New  York  Col.  Doc,  V.  924  - 


538 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


in  favor  of  the  "West  Indies,  and  ruinous  to  the  Middle  Colonies  of 
America.  Cosby  used  his  influence  to  oppose  the  bill,  although  without 
effect,  the  matter  still  remaining  in  abeyance  at  the  time  of  his  departure 
for  New  York.  But  he  made  it  his  first  business,  after  reaching  his  desti- 
1732.  nation,  to  apologize  for  his  long  delay  upon  the  other  side  of  the 
Aus-  !•  water,  on  the  ground  of  his  friendship  for  New  York,  and  his  de- 
sire to  defeat  the  odious  bill  in  order  to  further  her  interests. 

Cosby  met  the  Assembly  on  the  10th  of  August,  and  delivered  a  well- 
Aug  10  Pi  ePal  ec'  aU1^  flattering  speech,  with  which  the  members  were  much 
pleased.1  A  revenue  to  support  the  government  for  six  years  was 
cheerfully  granted,  which  included  a  salary  for  the  governor  of  £  1,560, 
with  certain  emoluments  (to  be  gained  out  of  supplies  for  the  forts) 
amounting  to  £400;  the  new  governor's  expenses  (£150)  in  a  journey 
to  Albany  were  also  to  be  paid  by  the  government,  and  a  sum  was  raised 
to  be  laid  out  in  presents  for  the  Iroquois.  It  was  some  time  before  the 
House  voted  any  special  compensation  to  Cosby  for  his  services  in  Lon- 
don, in  assisting  the  agents  from  New  York  in  opposing  the  Sugar  Bill. 
When  it  was  at  last  done,  the  sum  named  was  £750. 

Chief  Justice  Lewis  Morris  met  Cosby  the  following  morning  on  the 
street,  and  stopped  to  tell  him  the  action  of  the  Assembly.  The  small- 
ness  of  the  gift  angered  the  haughty  colonel,  who  had  come  to  New  York 
to  make  a  fortune.  "Damn  them!"  said  he.  "  Why  did  they  not  add 
shillings  and  pence  ? " 

Van  Dam  caused  still  fiercer  emotions  in  the  breast  of  the  new-comer 
when  a  settlement  of  accounts  was  instituted.  Van  Dam,  who  had  been 
in  the  governor's  chair  for  thirteen  months,  received  the  salary.  Cosby 
brought  with  him  the  king's  order  for  an  equal  division  (between  himself 
and  the  president  of  the  council)  of  the  salary,  emoluments,  and  per- 
quisites of  the  office  since  the  commencement  of  Van  Dam's  administra- 
tion. Cosby  proceeded  to  demand  one  half  of  the  salary  which  Van  Dam 
had  received.  The  latter  was  willing  to  divide,  the  salary,  but'  it  must 
be  with  division  also  of  emoluments  and  perquisites,  according  to  the 
sovereign's  order.  Van  Dam  was  aware  that  Cosby  had  received,,  while 
yet  in  England,  for  pretended  services  and  expenditures  for  Indian  pres- 
ents never  given,  for  overcharges  of  clothing,  subsistence,  etc.,  for  troops, 
sums  of  money  which  exceeded  what  had  been  paid  to  himself  by  over 
£  2,400.  The  governor  refused  to  divide,  and  Van  Dam  not  only  refused 
to  refund  any  part  of  the  salary,  but  demanded  the  balance  due  him. 

The  Assembly,  prior  to  its  adjournment,  discussed  at  some  length  the 
subject  of  education.    A  bill  for  a  free  school,  where  Latin  and  Greek 

1  Journals  of  the  Lrtjislut ire  Councils  of  A'ew  York;  Vol.  I.  jip.  014,  615. 


THE  SCHOOL  BILL. 


539 


and  the  higher  mathematics  should  be  taught,  was  drafted  by  Adolphe 
Philipse,  the  speaker,  and  offered  by  Stephen  De  Lancey.  It  created  an 
outburst  of  merriment,  because  of  this  curious  preamble :  "Whereas  the 
youth  of  this  colony  are  found  by  manifold  experience  to  be  not  inferior 
in  their  natural  geniuses  to  the  youth  of  any  other  country  in  the  world, 
therefore  be  it  enacted,"  etc.  It  passed  into  a  law,  and  Mr.  Alexander 
Malcom,  of  Aberdeen,  the  author  of  a  treatise  upon  book-keeping,  was 
appointed  teacher.  The  school  was  patronized  by  James  Alexander,  the 
Morris  family,  and  many  others,  and  became  quite  popular  for  a  time. 


Lewis  Morris  Mansion. 

(Morrisania.) 


540 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

1732-1737. 

GOVERNOR  COSBY. 

Governor  Cosby. — Rip  Van  Dam.  —  Exciting  Law-Suit. — Opinion  of  Chief  Jus- 
tice Morris. — The  Council. — The  Judges.  —The  Removal  of  Chief  Justice 
Morris. — James  De  Lancey  appointed  Chief  Justice. — Courtesy  to  Foreign 
Visitors. — Lord  Fitzroy.  —  A  little  Romance. — Marriage  of  Grace  Cosby. — 
Taxes.  —  Fashions.  —  Morris  at  the  Court  of  England.  —  William  Bradford.  — 
The  new  Newspaper  in  New  York.  — John  Peter  Zenger.  —  Arrest  and  Impris- 
onment of  Zengek.  — The  famous  Trial.  — Chief  Justice  De  Lancey.  — Andrew 
Hamilton.  —  Definition  of  Libel. — Chambers's  Address.  —  Hamilton's  Argu- 
ments. —  Acquittal  of  Zenger.  —  Exciting  Scenes.  —  Paul  Richards.  — The  City 
Watch.  —  Cortlandt  Street.  —  The  Poor-House.  —  Rip  Van  Dam.  —  Cosby's 
Sickness  and  Death. — Contest  between  Rip  Van  Dam  and  George  Clarke. — 
George  Clarke  Lieutenant-Governor  of  New  York. — Mrs.  Clarke. — Lewis 
Morris  Governor  of  New  Jersey.  —  Social  Life  in  New  York.  —  The  Election 
of  1737. 

OVERNOR  COSBY  and  President  Van  Darn  were  arrayed  squarely 
against  each  other,  and  neither  seemed  disposed  to  abate  in  the 
slightest  particular  from  his  position.  The  governor  proceeded  to  insti- 
tute legal  proceedings  against  Van  Dam.  As  the  matter  was  one  of  ac- 
count, and  cognizable  only  in  a  court  of  equity,  an  action  could  not  be 
brought  in  the  Supreme  Court,  which  was  one  of  law.  The  governor  was 
shut  out  from  the  Chancery  because  he  was  Chancellor  ex  officio,  and  of 
course  could  not  hear  his  own  cause.  He  therefore  proceeded  before  the 
justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  as  Barons  of  the  Exchequer.  This  court, 
as  well  as  the  Chancery,  was  extremely  unpopular. 

As  soon  as  the  bill  was  filed  against  Van  Dam,  he  determined  to 
institute  a  suit  at  common  law  against  the  governor.  This  was  overruled* 
in  such  a  manner  that  Van  Dam  found  himself  compelled  to  a  defense 
before  the  judges  in  equity.  The  occurrences  were  of  such  an  exciting 
character  that  the  whole  community  was  interested.  Van  Dam  was  a 
popular  man,  and  his  singular  situation  elicited  warm  sympathy. 
,733'  His  counsel  were  William  Smith  (the  father  of  the  historian) 
and  James  Alexander,  both  eminent  lawyers.    They  excepted  to  the 


EXCITING  LAW-SUIT. 


541 


jurisdiction  of  the  court  to  which  the  governor  resorted.  Chief  Justice 
Morris  supported  the  exception.  The  two  associate  judges,  James  De 
Lancey  (commissioned  in  1731)  and  Adolphe  Philipse,  voted  against  the 
plea.  The  case  was  subsequently  dropped  without  settlement,  and 
Cosby  never  recovered  any  of  the  money.  But  the  proceedings  created 
two  violent  parties,  and  the  most  bitter  feelings. 

Chief  Justice  Morris  delivered  an  opinion  in  favor  of  Van  Dam,  which 
irritated  Cosby  beyond  measure,  and  the  latter  demanded  a  copy.  Morris, 
to  prevent  any  misrepresentation,  caused  it  to  be  printed,  and  then  sent 
it  to  the  governor,  accompanied  by  a  letter,  from  which  the  following  is 
an  extract :  — 

"  This,  sir,  is  a  copy  of  the  paper  I  read  in  court  I  have  no  reason  to 

expect  that  this  or  anything  else  I  can  say  will  be  at  all  grateful,  or  have  any 
weight  with  your  Excellency,  after  the  answer  I  received  to  a  message  I  did 
myself  the  honor  to  send  to  you  concerning  an  ordinance  you  were  about  to  make 
for  establishing  a  court  of  equity  in  the  Supreme  Court,  as  being,  in  my  opinion, 
contrary  to  law,  and  which  I  desired  might  be  delayed  till  I  could  be  heard  on 
that  head.  I  thought  myself  within  the  duty  of  my  office  in  sending  this 
message,  and  hope  I  do  not  flatter  myself  in  thinking  I  shall  be  justified  in  it 
by  your  superiors,  as  well  as  mine.  The  answer  your  Excellency  was  pleased 
to  send  me,  was,  that  I  need  not  give  myself  any  trouble  about  that  affair ;  that 
you  would  neither  receive  a  visit  or  any  message  from  me  ;  that  you  could  neither 
rely  upon  my  integrity  nor  depend  upon  my  judgment ;  that  you  thought  me  a 
person  not  at  all  fit  to  be  trusted  with  any  concerns  relating  to  the  king ;  that  ever 
since  your  coming  to  the  government  I  had  treated  you,  both  as  to  your  own  person 
and  as  the  king's  representative,  with  slight,  rudeness,  and  impertinence  ;  that  you 
did  not  desire  to  see  or  hear  any  further  of  or  from  me. 

"  I  am  heartily  sorry,  sir,  for  your  own  sake,  as  well  as  that  of  the  public, 
that  the  king's  representative  should  be  moved  to  so  great  a  degree  of  warmth,  as 
appears  by  your  answer,  which  I  think  would  proceed  from  no  other  reason  but 
by  giving  my  opinion,  in  a  court  of  which  I  was  a  judge,  upon  a  point  of  law  that 
came  before  me,  and  in  which  I  might  be  innocently  enough  mistaken  (though  I 
think  I  am  not),  for  judges  are  no  more  infallible  than  their  superiors  are  impec- 
cable. But  if  judges  are  to  be  intimidated  so  as  not  to  dare  to  give  any  opinion 
but  what  is  pleasing  to  a  governor,  and  agreeable  to  his  private  views,  the  people 
of  this  province,  who  are  very  much  concerned  both  with  respect  to  their  lives 
and  fortunes  in  the  freedom  and  independency  of  those  who  are  to  judge  of  them, 
may  possibly  not  think  themselves  so  secure  in  either  of  them  as  the  laws  of  his 
Majesty  intend  they  should  be. 

"  I  never  had  the  honor  to  be  above  six  times  in  your  company  in  my  life  : 
one  of  those  times  was  when  T  delivered  the  public  seals  of  the  province  of  New 
Jersey  to  you  on  your  coming  to  that  government ;  another,  on  one  of  the  public 


542 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


days,  to  drink  the  king's  health ;  a  third,  at  your  desire,  to  wait  on  my  Lord 
Augustus  Fitz  Roy,  with  the  lawyers,  to  tell  him  we  were  glad  to  see  him  in 
New  York ;  and,  except  the  first  time,  I  never  was  a  quarter  of  an  hour  together 
in  your  company  at  any  one  time ;  and  all  the  words  I  ever  spoke  to  you,  ex- 
cept at  the  first  time,  may  be  contained  on  a  quarto  side  of  paper.  I  might  pos- 
sibly have  been  impertinent,  for  old  men  are  too  often  so ;  but  as  to  treating 
you  with  rudeness  and  disrespect,  either  in  your  public  or  private  capacity,  it  is 
what  I  cannot  accuse  myself  of  doing  or  intending  to  do  at  any  of  the  times  I 
was  with  you.  If  a  bow,  awkwardly  made,  or  anything  of  that  kind,  or  some 
defect  in  the  ceremonial  of  addressing  you,  has  occasioned  that  remark,  I  beg  it 
may  be  attributed  to  the  want  of  a  courtly  and  polite  education,  or  to  anything 
else,  rather  than  the  want  of  respect  to  his  Majesty's  representative.  As  to  my 
integrity,  I  have  given  you  no  occasion  to  call  it  in  question.  I  have  been  in 
this  office  almost  twenty  years.  My  hands  were  never  soiled  with  a  bribe ; 
nor  am  I  conscious  to  myself,  that  power  or  poverty  hath  been  able  to  induce 
me  to  be  partial  in  the  favor  of  either  of  them ;  and  as  I  have  no  reason  to  ex- 
pect any  favor  from  you,  so  I  am  neither  afraid  nor  ashamed  to  stand  the  test  of 
the  strictest  inquiry  you  can  make  concerning  my  conduct.  I  have  served  the 
public  faithfully  and  honestly  according  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge,  and  I 
dare,  and  do,  appeal  to  it  for  my  justification. 

"  I  am,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most  humble  servant, 

"  Lewis  Morris."  \ 

Cosby  was  highly  exasperated,  the  more  so  when  the  opinion  and  the 
letter  both  appeared  in  the  New  York  Gazette.  Such  an  independ- 
ent course  could  not  be  tolerated  in  the  highest  judicial  officer  in 
the  colony,  and  Morris  was  almost  immediately  removed  from  the  chief- 
justiceship.2    In  August  of  the  same  year  James  De  Lancey  was 
Aug.  21.  uppgjjjjjQ^  jn  j^g  st,ea(j    xhis  appointment  was  made  under  the 
usual  clause  in  governors'  commissions  which  authorized  them  to  "  consti- 
tute and  appoint  judges";  a  power  which  they  exercised  independently 
of  the  council,  and  not  with  its  advice  and  consent,  as  in  the  erection  of 
courts  and  the  exercise  of  a  few  other  powers.    Morris  henceforth  be- 
came the  active  leader  of  the  party  in  opposition  to  the  administration, 
and  De  Lancey  was  the  acknowledged  chief  of  the  governor's  or  court 
party.    Morris,  in  spite  of  his  peculiarities,  was  a  popular  man,  and  now, 

1  It  will  be  seen  by  referenco  to  the  Resolutions  of  the  General  Assembly  of  New  York 
in  1708  (page  476),  that  the  doctrine  had  already  been  established  that  the  erecting  of 
courts  of  equity,  without  the  consent  of  the  legislature,  was  contrary  to  law. 

2  Cadioalladcr  Colden  to  the  Earl  of  Hillsborough.  James  Alexander  to  Governor  Hun- 
ter, February  3,  1730.  New  Jersey  Hist.  Coll.,  IV.  10-21.  Memoir  of  Hon.  James  Ik 
Lancey.  Doc.  Hist.  N.  K.IV.  1041.  Bolton's  History  of  Westchester,  II.  307;  Governor 
Cosby  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle,  May  3,  1733.   N.  Y.  Col.  MSS.,  V.  942-952. 


A  LITTLE  ROMANCE. 


543 


in  the  season  of  discontent,  he  became  more  than  ever  an  object  of  regard 
by  the  class  of  people  who  esteemed  themselves  oppressed.  In  the  autumn 
he  was  chosen  to  the  Assembly  to  represent  the  county  of  Westchester, 


in  the  place  of  a  de- 
he  entered  the  city,  can- 
merchant-ships  in  the 
number  of  citizens  met 
cheers  and  flying  ban- 
tertainment.  It  was  the 
but  at  the  next  meeting- 
son,  Lewis  Morris,  Jr., 
members, 
standing  the 
ous  efforts 
made  to  de- 
tion. 

World  of  New  ^6a'  ant*  *u^°^rap^  °*  James  De  Lancey 


n  o 


ceased  member.  When 
non  were  fired  from  the 
harbor,    and    a  large 
and  escorted  him  with 
ners  to  an  elegant  en- 
last  day  of  the  session, 
of  the  Assembly,  his 
took  his  seat  among  the 
notwi  th  - 
most  vigor- 
d  been 
feat  his  elec- 
The  social 


York  had 

during  all  these  public  excitements  been  variously  agitated.  Governor 
Cosby  had  brought  his  wife  and  young  lady  daughters  to  this  country 
with  him,  and  they  commanded  no  little  attention.  A  series  of  brilliant 
entertainments  were  given  during  the  winter  and  spring,  which  brought 
together  the  beauty,  wit,  and  culture  of  the  capital.  Lord  Augustus  Fitz- 
roy,  son  of  the  Duke  of  Grafton,  who  was  lord  chamberlain  to  the  king, 
spent  some  weeks  in  Governor  Cosby's  family.  It  was  customary  for  the 
city  authorities  to  extend  courtesies  to  distinguished  strangers;  hence, 
upon  the  arrival  of  the  young  nobleman,  the  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen, 
assistants,  and  other  officials,  waited  upon  him  in  a  body,  with  a  well- 
prepared  speech,  thanking  him  for  the  honor  of  his  presence,  and  pre- 
sented him  with  the  freedom  of  the  city  in  a  gold  box.1  The  following- 
day  the  lawyers  went  in  a  body,  with  Chief  Justice  Morris  at  their  head 
(it  was  just  prior  to  his  suspension  from  office),  to  show  respect  and  wel- 
come the  traveler  to  our  shores. 

There  was  quite  a  romance  connected  with  this  visit  of  Lord  Fitzroy. 
He  was  in  love  with  one  of  the  governor's  daughters.  According  to 
the  standard  of  society  in  England  the  match  was  beneath  him,  and 
neither  the  governor  nor  Mrs.  Cosby  dared  give  consent  to  the  marriage. 
Through  the  intrigues  of  Mrs.  Cosby,  however,  the  young  people  were 
allowed  to  settle  the  matter  for  themselves.  A  clergyman  was  clandes- 
tinely assisted  to  scale  the  rear  wall  of  the  fort,  and  they  were  married 
in  secret  and  without  license.    To  secure  Cosby  from  the  wrath  of  the 

The  gold  box  presented  to  Lord  Fitzroy  cost  £14  8  s.    New  York  City  Records. 


544  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Duke  of  Grafton,  who  was  a  great  favorite  of  the  king,  a  mock  prosecu- 
tion was  instituted  against  Dominie  Campbell,  who  had  solemnized  the 
nuptials  without  the  usual  form. 

Another  wedding  shortly  occurred  in  the  governor's  household.  Miss 
Grace  Cosby  was  married  to  Thomas  Freeman.  Three  days  later  the 
mayor,  recorder,  aldermen,  assistants,  and  other  city  dignitaries,  marched 
in  solemn  procession  to  the  governor's  residence  in  the  fort,  and  after 
congratulating  the  lovely  Grace  upon  her  good  fortune,  made  the  follow- 
ing speech :  — 

"  This  corporation  being  desirous  upon  all  occasions  to  demonstrate  the  great 
deference  they  have  and  justly  entertain  for  his  Excellency,  William  Cosby, 
and  for  his  noble  family,  have  ordered  that  the  honorable  Major  Alexander 
Cosby,  brother  to  his  Excellency,  and  lieutenant-governor  of  his  Majesty's  gar- 
rison of  Annapolis  Royal,  recently  arrived,  and  Thomas  Ereeman,  the  governor's 
son-in-law,  be  presented  with  the  freedom  of  the  city  in  gold  boxes." 

The  style  of  dress  at  this  time  was  very  showy  and  conspicuous.  Gay 
pendants  were  worn  in  the  ears,  costly  crosses  were  suspended  about  the 
neck,  and  diamonds  and  rich  brocades  were  esteemed  essential  to  respect- 
ability among  the  wealthier  families.  Tight-lacing  and  wide  skirts  pre- 
vailed, though  not  as  extensively  as  a  few  years  later.  The  hair  was 
frizzled  and  curled  and  arranged  in  a  great  variety  of  fantastic  ways.  The 
gentlemen  outdid  the  ladies.  They  concealed  their  hair  altogether  by 
enormous  wigs,  which  were  supposed  to  greatly  beautify  the  countenance. 
An  advertisement  in  the  New  York  Gazette  (in  1733)  throws  a  glimmer 
of  light  upon  the  prevailing  fashion  :  — 

"  Morrison,  peruke-maker  from  London,  dresses  ladies  and  gentlemen's  hair 
in  the  politest  taste ;  he  has  a  choice  parcel  of  human,  horse,  and  goat  hairs  to 
dispose  of." 

And  another  :  — : 

"  Tyes,  bobs,  majors,  spencers,  fox-tails,  and  twists,  together  with  curls  or 
tates  [tetes]  for  the  ladies." 

Bright  colors  everywhere  prevailed.  The  most  gorgeous  combina- 
tions appeared  in  the  fabrics  for  a  lady's  wardrobe,  and  gentlemen 
wore  coats  and  other  garments  containing  all  the  hues  of  the  rainbow. 
Large  silver  buttons  adorned  coats  and  vests,  often  with  the  initial  of 
the  wearer's  name  engraved  upon  each  button.  Occasionally  an  entire 
suit  would  be  decorated  with  conch-shell  buttons  silver-mounted.  Even 
coaches  were  painted  and  gilded  in  an  extraordinary  manner.  A  writer 
of  the  day,  seeing  the  equipage  of  Lewis  Morris  rolling  down  "the  Broad 


STYLE  OF  DRESS  AND  EQUIPAGE. 


545 


Way  "  towards  the  fort,  speaks  of  its  silver  mountings  glittering  in  the 
sunshine,  and  of  the  family  arms  emblazoned  upon  it  in  many  places. 
The  crest  was  a  spacious  stone  castle,  with  little  turrets  and  battlements, 
the  motto  being  Tandem  vincitur,  which  was  supposed  to  declare  the  vir- 
tue, perseverance,  magnanimity,  and  success  of  the  Morris  family  against 
oppression  of  whatever  character. 

The  newspapers  were  crowded  with  advertisements  and  descriptions  of 
runaway  slaves,  and  since  servants  proverbially  ape  their  masters,  they 
furnish  a  grotesque  view  of  the  costumes  of  that  decade. 

"  Ean  away,  a  negro  servant  clothed  with  damask  breeches,  black  broadcloth 
vest,  a  broadcloth  coat  of  copper  color,  lined  and  trimmed  with  black,  and  black 
stockings."    October  3,  1731. 

"  Ean  away,  a  negro  barber ;  wore  a  light  wig,  a  gray  kersey  jacket  lined  with 
blue,  a  light  pair  of  drugget  breeches  with  glass  buttons,  black  roll-up  stockings, 
square-toed  shoes,  a  white  vest  with  yellow  buttons,  and  red  linings."  Octo- 
ber 28,  1 734. 

After  the  death  of  General  Montgomery  his  effects  were  sold  at  public 
auction :  the  advertisements  specify  four  negro  men,  and  four  negro 
women,  "  the  times  of  two  men  and  one  woman  servant,"  a  variety  of 
fashionable  wrought  plate,  a  collection  of  valuable  books,  several  fine 
saddle,  coach,  and  other  horses;  and  particularize  somewhat  in  making 
mention  of  the  household  articles,  as,  for  instance,  —  "A  fine  new  yallow 
Camblet  Bed,  lined  with  silk  and  laced,  which  came  from  London  with 
Captain  Downing ;  also  the  Bedding.  One  fine  Field  Bedstead  and  cur- 
tains ;  some  blue  Cloth  lately  come  from  London  for  Liveries  ;  some  white 
drap  Cloth,  with  proper  trimming ;  and  some  broad  gold  Lace.  Twelve 
Knives  and  twelve  forks  with  silver  handles  gilded.  A  large  lined  Fire 
skreen.  Two  Demi  Peak  saddles,  one  with  blue  cloth  laced  with  gold,' 
etc.,  etc.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  furniture  and  decorations  partook  of 
the  same  tendency  towards  fanciful  display  as  dress  and  equipage. 

As  months  rolled  on,  the  proceedings  of  Cosby  so  irritated  his 
opponents  that  they  resolved  to  lay  their  grievances  before  the  734' 
king.  It  was  decided  that  Morris  should  himself  be  the  messenger,  as 
his  private  wrongs  would  incite  him  to  special  exertion,  and  his  intimate 
acquaintance  with  all  that  related  to  the  interests  of  the  province  would 
render  him  an  intelligent  adviser  concerning  future  measures  for  its 
prosperity.  The  chief  purpose  in  view  was  to  obtain  the  removal  of 
Cosby.  The  utmost  secrecy  was  deemed  advisable  in  regard  to  the  con- 
templated movements  of  Morris.  He  asked  for  and  obtained  leave  of 
absence  to  visit  his  New  Jersey  plantation,  so  wording  his  application  that 
35 


546 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


it  might  be  interpreted  to  cover  his  voyage  to  England.    He  embarked  at 
Sandy  Hook,  accompanied  by  his  son,  Robert  Hunter  Morris.  Suspicion 
was  not  excited  among  the  "  court  party  "  until  he  had  actually  sailed. 
Morris  communicated  his  opinion  of  the  British  Ministry  to  James 


Portrait  of  Rip  Van  Dam 


Alexander,  in  a  letter  written  shortly  after  his  arrival  in  England,  of 

which  the  following  is  an  extract :  — 

"  We  talk  in  America  of  applications  to  Parliaments !  Alas !  my  friend, 
parliaments  are  parliaments  everywhere  ;  here,  as  well  as  with  us,  though  more 
numerous.  We  admire  the  heavenly  bodies  which  glitter  at  a  distance ;  hut 
should  we  be  removed  into  Jupiter  or  Saturn,  perhaps  we  should  find  it  com- 
posed of  as  dark  materials  as  our  own  earth  We  have  a  Parliament  and 

Ministry,  some  of  whom,  I  am  apt  to  believe,  know  that  there  are  plantations 
and  governors,  —  but  not  quite  so  well  as  we  do  ;  ....  and  seem  less  concerned 

in  our  contests  than  we  are  at  those  between  crows  and  kingbirds  

And  who  is  there  that  is  equal  to  the  task  of  procuring  redress  1  Changing  the 
man  is  far  from  an  adequate  remedy,  if  the  thing  remains  the  same ;  and  we 
had  as  well  keep  an  ill,  artless  governor  we  know,  as  to  change  him  for  one 
equally  ill  with  more  art  that  we  do  not  know.  One  of  my  neighbors  used  to 
say  that  he  always  rested  better  in  a  bed  abounding  with  fleas  after  they  had 


MORRIS  AT  THE  COURT  OF  ENGLAND. 


547 


filled  their  bellies,  than  to  change  it  for  a  new  one  equally  full  of  hungry  ones ; 
the  fleas  having  no  business  there  but  to  eat.    The  inference  is  easy." 

Again  he  writes  (March  31,  1735)  :  — 

"  You  have  very  imperfect  notions  of  the  world  on  this  side  of  the  water,  — 


Portrait  of  Mrs.  Van  Dam. 


I  mean  the  world  with  which  I  have  to  do.    They  are  unconcerned  at  the 

sufferings  of  the  people  in  America  It  is  not  the  injustice  of  the  thing 

[referring  to  Cosby's  acts]  that  affects  those  concerned  in  recommending  of  him, 
provided  it  can  be  kept  a  secret  and  the  people  not  clamor ;  and  when  they  do, 
if  they  meet  with  relief,  it  is  not  so  much  in  pity  to  them,  as  in  fear  of  the  re- 
flection it  will  be  upon  themselves  for  advising  the  sending  of  such  a  man,  the 

sole  intent  of  which  was  the  making  of  a  purse  Everybody  here  agrees 

in  a  contemptible  opinion  of  Cosby,  and  nobody  knows  him  better  or  has  a 
worse  opinion  of  him,  than  the  friends  he  relies  on ;  and  it  may  be  you  will  be 
surprised  to  hear  that  the  most  nefarious  crime  a  governor  can  commit  is  not 
by  some  counted  so  bad  as  the  crime  of  complaining  of  it,  —  the  last  is  an 
arraigning  of  the  Ministry  that  advised  the  sending  of  him." 

It  is  evident  that  Morris  was  treated  with  deference  by  the  British 
Lords,  but  the  affair  was  subjected  to  disheartening  delays.  The  question 
of  a  separate  governor  for  New  Jersey  was  discussed  ;  and  a  direct  pro- 


548 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


posal  was  made  to  him,  that,  if  he  would  withdraw  the  complaints  against 
Cosby,  he  should  receive  the  appointment,  which  he  declined. 

The  Assembly  of  1834  passed  an  important  bill  by  which  the  Quakers 
were  restored  to  the  rights  and  privileges  which  that  denomination  en- 
joyed in  England,  —  henceforth  they  could  vote  without  taking  the  oaths 
prescribed  by  law.  This  and  several  other  popular  acts,  countenanced  by 
Cosby,  propitiated  the  people,  and  the  clamor  and  complaint  in  a  measure 
subsided.  But  erelong  an  event  happened  which  stirred  New  York  from 
center  to  circumference.  John  Peter  Zenger  started  a  new  paper,  calling 
it  the  Weekly  Journal.  It  was  filled  with  witticisms  on  the  govern- 
ment officials,  low  satire,  lampoons,  squibs,  and  ballads.  The  public  rel-  ' 
ished  it  exceedingly.  Now  and  then  some  well-written  articles  appeared, 
criticising  the  governor,  council,  assembly,  the  permanent  revenue,  and 
everything  generally.  Zenger  had  learned  the  printer's  trade  of  Brad- 
ford.1 He  served  at  a  later  date  as  collector  of  sundry  public  taxes,  and, 
through  mismanagement,  found  himself  in  arrears,  for  which  he  was  prose- 
cuted ;  having  no  means  to  liquidate  the  debt,  he  left  the  city.  He  after- 
wards applied  to  the  Assembly  for  leave  to  do  public  printing  enough  to 
discharge  the  debt,  and  was  refused.2 

He  was  a  man  of  much  persistence,  and  some  native  talent,  but  of  very 
limited  opportunities.  He  was  encouraged,  assisted,  and  very  ably  sup- 
ported iu  this  newspaper  enterprise  by  James  Alexander,  William  Smith, 
Lewis  Morris  and  his  son,  Rip  Van  Dam,  and  others. 

Bradford  was  the  government  printer,  aud  the  editor  and  publisher  of 
the  New  York  Gazette.  He  replied  to  many  of  the  remarkable  state- 
ments which  appeared  in  the  Weekly  Journal,  but  he  was  not  equal  to 
the  adversary  in  sarcasm.  Cosby  and  his  counselors  were  driven  almost 
to  maduess. 

Mingled  with  this  singular  controversy  was  a  charge  brought  against 
Fraucis  Harrison,  one  of  the  counselors,  of  having  written  a  letter  threat- 
ening Alexander  and  his  family,  unless  money  was  deposited  in  a  certain 
designated  spot  for  the  writer.  This  letter  was  found  in  the  entrance-hall, 
shoved  under  the  outer  door  of  Alexander's  residence.  Harrison  denied 
the  imputation,  and  his  associate  counselors  prouounced  him  incapable  of 
such  an  act.  Suspicion,  however,  still  rested  upon  him,  which  was  in- 
dustriously fomented  by  the  new  newspaper.  Out  of  this,  in  part,  grew 
the  imprisonment  and  trial  of  Zenger. 

1  John  Peter  Zenger  was  born  in  Germany  in  1697.  He  came  to  New  York  with  his  wid- 
owed mother,  and  n  brother  and  sister  in  1710,  being  one  of  the  party  brought  over  by  Gover- 
nor Hunter  at  the  expense  of  the  Crown  of  England.  The  following  year  he  was  apprenticed 
to  William  Bradford  for  eight  years. 

*  Don.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  IV.  1042.    N.  Y.  Assembly  Journal,  L  627,  636. 


JOHN  PETER  ZENGER. 


549 


Chief  Justice  De  Lancey,  in  order  to  procure  an  indictment  against 
Zenger,  called  the  attention  of  the  grand  jury  in  October  to  certain  low 
ballads  in  the  Weekly  Journal,  which  he  designated  as  "  libels."  He 
said :  "  Sometimes  heavy,  half-witted  men  get  a  knack  of  rhyming,  but  it 
is  time  to  break  them  of  it  when  they  grow  abusive,  insolent,  and  mis- 
chievous with  it."  The  ballads  being  examined  were  ordered  to  be  burned 
by  the  common  whipper.  The  council  shortly  after  made  an  effort  to  dis- 
cover the  author  of  certain  other  "  libels."  They  addressed  the  gov- 
ernor, requesting  that  the  printer  should  be  prosecuted.  The  governor 
sent  this  document  to  the  Assembly,  where  it  was  laid  upon  the  table. 

There  came  a  moment,  finally,  when  affairs  assumed  a  serious 

Nov.  2 

aspect.  The  council  pronounced  four  of  Peter  Zenger's  Weekly 
Journals, "  as  containing  many  things  tending  to  sedition  and  faction,  and 
to  bring  his  Majesty's  government  into  contempt,  and  to  disturb  the  peace 
thereof,"  and  ordered  them  to  be  burned  by  the  common  hangman,  or  whip- 
per, near  the  pillory,  on  Wednesday  the  6th  instant,  between  the  hours  of 
eleven  and  twelve  in  the  forenoon;  it  was  also  ordered  that  the  mayor,  Eob- 
ert  Lurting,  and  the  rest  of  the  city  magistrates  should  attend  the  burning. 

When  this  order  was  offered  by  the  sheriff,  the  court  would  not  suffer  it 
to  be  entered,  and  the  aldermen  protested  against  it,  as  an  arbitrary  and 
illegal  injunction.  Harrison  was  the  recorder,  and  made  a  lame  effort  to 
justify  the  council  by  citing  the  example  of  the  Lords  in  the  Sacheverel 
case,  and  their  proceedings  against  Bishop  Burnet's  pastoral  letter,  but 
it  was  of  no  avail  and  he  withdrew.  The  corporation  declined,  emphati- 
cally, to  attend  the  ceremony,  and  forbade  their  hangman  from  obeying 
the  order.  The  burning  of  the  papers  was  performed  by  a  negro  slave  of 
the  sheriff ;  the  recorder  and  a  few  dependants  of  the  governor  were  the 
only  spectators. 

A  few  days  subsequently,  Zenger,  in  pursuance  of  a  proclamation,  was 
arrested  and  thrown  into  prison,  where  he  was  denied  pen,  ink,  Nov.  n. 
and  paper.  In  his  paper  of  November  25,  the  editor  apologizes  Nov- 25- 
for  not  issuing  the  last  Weekly  Journal,  "  as  the  governor  had  put  him  in 
jail,"  but  adds,  "  that  he  now  has  the  liberty  of  speaking  through  a  hole 
in  the  door  to  his  assistants,  and  shall  supply  his  customers  as  hereto- 
fore."   His  dictations,  however,  were  carefully  watched. 

He  was  brought  before  the  chief  justice  on  a  writ  of  habeas  corpus,  but 
his  counsel,  Smith  and  Alexander,  objected  to  the  legality  of  the  warrant, 
and  insisted  upon  his  being  admitted  to  bail.  He  swore  that  he  was  not 
worth  £  40,  the  tools  of  his  trade  and  wearing  apparel  excepted,  and  could 
not  give  bail.    Consequently  he  was  recommitted.1 

1  Chancellor  Kent. 


550 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


The  grand  jury  found  no  bill  against  him,  therefore  on  the  28th  of 
1735.  January,  Bradley,  the  attorney-general,  filed  an  information  for 
Jan.  28.  «  fgjg^  scandalous,  malicious,  and  seditious  libels." 
The  trial  excited  the  attention  of  all  America. 

Smith  and  Alexander  were  the  most  eminent  lawyers  in  the  city,  and 
were  well  prepared  on  this  occasion.  They  commenced  by  a  spirited 
attack  upon  the  court  itself,  aiming  at  the  legality  of  the  commissions  of 
Chief  Justice  De  Lancey  and  Judge  Philipse,  which,  as  has  before  been 
stated,  read,  during  pleasure,  instead  of  good  behavior,  and  had  been 
granted  by  the  governor  independent  of  the  council.1 

Such  a  proceeding  was  esteemed  a  gross  contempt  of  court,  and  Chief 
Justice  De  Lancey,  addressing  Smith,  remarked,  "  You  have  brought  it  to 
that  point,  sir,  that  either  we  must  go  from  the  bench,  or  you  from  the 
bar."    And  .he  ordered  their  names  struck  from  the  roll,  and  thus 

April  16. 

they  were  excluded  from  further  practice.  It  would  be  difficult 
to  designate  any  other  course  which  De  Lancey  could  have  taken  under 
the  circumstances,  consistent  with  his  own  dignity  and  self-respect,  but 
it  caused  almost  a  panic. 

The  court  assigned  John  Chambers  as  counsel  for  the  printer,  who 
pleaded  not  guilty  for  his  client,  and  obtained  a  struck  jury.  The 
silenced  lawyers  omitted  no  effort  on  their  part  which  would  tend  to  the 
acquittal  of  the  prisoner.  They  made  it  appear  that  their  own  suppres- 
sion was  a  stratagem  to  deprive  the  defendant  of  help.  They  artfully 
exhibited  the  "  libels  "  to  the  public  by  the  press,  and  at  clubs,  and  in 
other  meetings  for  private  conversation.  It  was  easy  to  let  every  man 
qualified  for  a  juror  into  the  full  merits  of  the  defense.  The  services  of 
the  eloquent  Philadelphia  lawyer,  Andrew  Hamilton,  were  also  secretly 
engaged.2 

The  trial  came  on  in  July  and  occupied  the  entire  summer.  It  was  an 
important  feature  in  the  early  history  of  the  press  of  New  York, 
and  as  it  has  been  variously  styled,  "  the  germ  of  American  free- 
dom," and  "  the  morning  star  of  that  liberty  which  subsequently  revolu  - 
tionized America,"  etc.,  etc.,  it  will  be  pardonable  to  go  somewhat  into 
details  on  the  subject.  Hamilton  presented  himself  promptly,  and  was 
eagerly  welcomed  as  the  champion  of  liberty.  He  asserted  that  the 
matter  charged  was  the  truth,  and  therefore  no  libel,  aud  ridiculed  some 

1  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  IV.  1043.  Zenger's  Rei>ort  of  the  trial  published  in  Boston  three  years 
afterward. 

1  Hamilton  was  a  lawyer  of  great  note,  although  the  famous  trial  of  Zenger  widely  in- 
creased his  reputation.  He  was  educated  and  in  practice  in  England  before  coming  to  this 
country.  He  tilled  many  stations  of  trust  during  his  long  residence  in  Pennsylvania  with 
honor  and  ability.    He  died  in  1741. 


ANDREW  HAMILTON. 


551 


of  the  notions  advanced  by  the  judges.  The  words  charged  as  "  false, 
scandalous,  malicious,  and  seditious  libels  "  were  as  follows  :  — 

"  Your  appearance  in  print  at  last,  gives  a  pleasure  to  many,  though  most 
wish  you  had  come  fairly  into  the  open  field,  and  not  appeared  behind  retrench- 
ments made  of  the  supposed  laws  against  libelling ;  these  retrenchments,  gen- 
tlemen, may  soon  be  shown  to  you  and  all  men  to  be  very  weak,  and  to  have 


Portrait  of  Andrew  Hamilton. 
(From  original  painting  in  the  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society.) 


neither  law  nor  reason  for  their  foundation,  so  cannot  long  stand  you  in  stead  ; 
therefore,  you  had  much  better  as  yet  leave  them,  and  come  to  what  the  people 
of  this  city  and  province  think  are  the  points  in  question.  They  think,  as  mat- 
ters now  stand,  that  their  liberties  and  properties  are  precarious,  and  that  slavery 
is  likely  to  be  entailed  on  them  and  their  posterity,  if  some  past  things  be  not 
amended  ;  and  this  they  collect  from  many  past  proceedings. 

"  One  of  our  neighbors  of  New  Jersey  being  in  company,  observing  the  stran- 
gers of  New  York  full  of  complaints,  endeavored  to  persuade  them  to  remove 
into  Jersey ;  to  which  it  was  replied,  that  would  be  leaping  out  of  the  frying- 
pan  into  the  fire ;  for,  says  he,  we  both  are  under  the  same  governor,  and  your 
Assembly  have  shown  with  a  witness  what  is  to  be  expected  from  them  :  one 


552 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


that  was  then  moving  from  New  York  to  Pennsylvania,  to  which  place  it  is 
reported  several  considerable  men  are  removing,  expressed  much  concern  for  the 
circumstances  of  New  York,  and  seemed  to  think  them  very  much  owing  to  the 
influence  that  some  men  had  in  the  administration  ;  said  he  was  now  going  from 
them,  and  was  not  to  be  hurt  by  any  measures  they  should  take,  but  could  not 
help  having  some  concern  for  the  welfare  of  his  countrymen,  and  should  be  glad 
to  hear  that  the  Assembly  woidd  exert  themselves  as  became  them,  by  showing 
that  they  have  the  interest  of  their  country  more  at  heart  than  the  gratification 
of  any  private  view  of  any  of  their  members,  or  being  at  all  affected  by  the 
smiles  or  frowns  of  a  governor ;  both  which  ought  equally  to  be  despised  when 
the  interest  of  their  country  is  at  stake.  '  You,'  says  he,  '  complain  of  the  lawyers, 
but  I  think  the  law  itself  is  at  an  end.  We  see  men's  deeds  destroyed,  judges 
arbitrarily  displaced,  new  courts  erected  without  consent  of  the  legislature,  by 
which  it  seems  to  me  trials  by  juries  are  taken  away  when  a  governor  pleases  ; 
men  of  known  estates  denied  their  votes,  contrary  to  the  received  practice  of  the 
best  expositor  of  any  law.  Who  is  there  in  that  province  that  can  call  anything 
his  own,  or  enjoy  any  liberty  longer  than  those  in  the  administration  will  con- 
descend to  let  them,  for  which  reason  I  left  it,  as  I  believe  more  will.'  " 

The  court-room  was  crowded  almost  to  suffocation  ;  every  kind  of  busi- 
ness was  neglected.  The  freedom  of  the  press  was  at  stake,  as  was  also 
liberty  of  speech,  and  men  looked  at  each  other  anxiously  and  conversed  in 
undertones.  Hamilton  admitted  the  publication.  Bradley,  the  attorney- 
general,  remarked  that  the  jury  must  then  find  a  verdict  for  the  king. 

"By  no  means,"  exclaimed  Hamilton,  in  his  clear,  thrilling,  silvery 
voice.  "  It  is  not  the  bare  printing  and  publishing  of  a  paper  that  will 
make  it  a  libel;  the  words  themselves  must  be  libelous,  that  is,  false, 
scandalous,  and  seditious,  or  else  my  client  is  not  guilty." 

Bradley  said  "  the  truth  of  a  libel  could  not  be  taken  in  evidence." 

"  What  is  a  libel  ? "  asked  Hamilton. 

Bradley  gave  the  usual  definition.    He  said  :  — 

"Whether  the  person  defamed  be  a  private  man  or  a  magistrate,  whether 
living  or  dead,  whether  the  libel  be  true  or  false,  or  the  party  against  whom  it 
is  made  be  of  good  or  evil  fame,  it  is  nevertheless  a  libel,  and  as  such,  must  be 
dealt  with  according  to  law. ;  for  in  a  settled  state  of  government  every  person 
has  a  right  to  redress  for  all  grievances  done  him.  As  to  its  publication  the 
law  lias  taken  such  great  care  of  men's  reputations  that  if  one  maliciously  repeats 
it  or  sings  it  in  the  presence  of  another,  or  delivers  a  copy  of  it  over  to  defame 
or  scandalize  the  party,  he  is  to  be  punished  as  the  publisher  of  a  libel.  It  is 
likewise  evident  that  it  is  an  offense  against  the  law  of  God,  for  Paul  himself 
has  said,  '  I  wist  not,  brethren,  that  he  was  the  high  priest ;  for  it  is  written, 
Thou  shalt  not  speak  evil  of  the  ruler  of  thy  people.' " 


THE  FAMOUS  TRIAL. 


553 


Bradley  attempted  to  show  how  Zenger  had  been  guilty  of  "  a  gross 
offense  against  God  and  man,  by  attacking  with  words  and  innuendoes 
the  sacred  person  of  royalty  through  its  representative  the  governor," 
and  quoted  precedents  to  prove  that,  whether  true  or  false,  a  libel  re- 
mained the  same  in  the  eye  of  the  law. 

Chambers,  in  his  address  to  the  jury,  insisted  that  the  just  complaint 
of  a  number  of  men  suffering  under  the  bad  administration  of  a  govern- 
ment was  no  libel.  He  said  the  authorities  which  Bradley  had  cited 
were  from  that  terrible  and  loug-exploded  court,  "  the  Star  Chamber." 
He  asked  if  it  was  not  surprising  "  to  see  a  subject,  upon  his  receiving  a 
commission  from  the  king  to  govern  a  colony  in  America,  imagine 
himself  at  once  invested  with  all  the  prerogatives  belonging  to  his 
Majesty,  and  more  astonishing  to  see  a  people  so  wild  as  to  allow  of 
and  acknowledge  those  prerogatives  even  to  their  own  destruction.  Is 
it  so  hard  a  matter  to  distinguish  between  the  majesty  of  our  sovereign 
and  the  power  of  the  governor  of  a  province  ? "  He  showed  the  folly  of 
such  ideas,  and  insisted  that  the  rights  of  a  freeholder  in  New  York  were 
as  great  as  those  of  a  freeholder  in  England. 

Bradley  interrupted  the  barrister  by  declaring  that  the  confession  of 
publication,  admitted  the  guilt  of  Zenger  to  what  was  charged  in  the 
information,  as  "  scandalous  and  leading  to  sedition." 

Hamilton  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  suggested  that  Mr.  Attorney  had 
omitted  the  word  "false  " ;  he  thought  the  word  must  have  had  some 
meaning  in  it,  and  was  not  put  in  the  information  by  chance.  In  his 
opinion  an  untruth  made  the  libel.  He  challenged  Bradley  to  prove  the 
facts  charged  to  be  false.,  in  which  case  he  would  acknowledge  them 
"  scandalous,  seditious,  and  a  libel."  To  save  trouble,  he  offered  to  prove 
the  papers  true. 

Chief  Justice  De  Lancey  objected,  telling  Hamilton  that  he  could  not 
be  admitted  to  give  the  truth  of  a  libel  in  evidence,  as  the  law  was  clear 
that  a  libel  could  not  be  justified. 

Hamilton  proceeded  to  give  his  opinion  of  the  word  justify  in  its  appli- 
cation to  the  present  case. 

De  Lancey  then  desired  him  to  show  that  he  could  give  the  truth  of  a 
libel  in  evidence. 

Hamilton  responded  by  arguing  the  point  at  considerable  length.  After 
referring  to  an  authority  in  Coke's  third  Institute,  he  explained  that  by 
the  judgment,  the  libelous  words  were  utterly  false,  and  the  falsehood 
was  the  crime,  and  ground  of  that  judgment;  that  falsehood  makes 
scandal,  and  both  make  the  libel.  "  And  how,"  he  asks,  "  shall  it  be 
known  whether  the  words  are  libelous  —  that  is,  true  or  false  —  but  by 


554 


HISTORY  OE  HUE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


admitting  us  to  prove  them  true  ?  "  Hamilton  made  it  appear  monstrous 
and  ridiculous  to  assert  that  truth  makes  a  worse  libel  than  falsehood. 

The  court  was  of  opinion  that  he  ought  not  to  be  permitted  to  prove 
the  "  facts  in  the  papers."  The  chief  justice  said :  "  It  is  far  from  being  a 
justification  of  a  libel  that  the  contents  thereof  are  true,  or  that  the 
person  on  whom  it  is  made  had  a  bad  reputation,  since  the  greater  ap- 
pearance there  is  of  truth  in  any  malicious  invective,  so  much  the  more 
provoking  it  is." 

Hamilton's  address  to  the  jury  was  full  of  sarcasm.  He  said :  *'  You 
are  the  best  judges  of  the  law  and  the  fact,  and  are  to  take  upon  your- 
selves to  say  whether  the  papers  are  false,  scandalous,  and  seditious."  He 
was  interrupted  several  times  by  the  court,  and  there  was  some  brilliant 
sparring. 

He  went  on  to  declare  that  juries  had  a  right  to  determine  both  the  law 
and  the  fact,  and  ought  to  do  so.  In  his  opinion,  leaving  to  the  court  to 
say  whether  the  words  are  libelous  or  not  rendered  the  jury  useless,  and 
worse.  He  declared  that  if  a  ruler  brings  personal  failings  and  vices  into 
his  administration,  and  the  people  are  affected  by  them  either  in  their  lib- 
erties or  properties,  all  the  arguments  in  favor  of  dignitaries  and  power 
will  not  stop  their  mouths  in  a  free  government,  if  they  feel  oppressed. 
Said  he :  — 

"  Years  ago  it  was  a  crime  to  speak  the  truth,  and  in  that  terrible  court  of 
Star  Chamber  many  brave  men  suffered  for  so  doing ;  and  yet,  even  in  that 
court  and  in  those  times  a  great  and  good  man  durst  say  what  I  hope  will  not 
be  taken  amiss  of  me  to  say  in  this  place,  to  wit  :  '  The  practice  of  information* 
for  libels  is  a  sword  in  the  hands  of  a  wicked  king,  and  an  arrant  coward,  to  cut 
down  and  destroy  the  innocent ;  the  one  cannot  because  of  his  high  station,  and 
the  other  dares  not  because  of  his  want  of  courage,  revenge  himself  in  any  other 
manner.'  ....  Our  Constitution  gives  us  an  opportunity  to  prevent  wrong,  by 

appealing  to  the  people  But  of  what  use  is  this  mighty  privilege  if  every 

man  that  suffers  must  be  silent;  and  if  a  man  must  be  taken  up  as  a  libelei 
for  telling  his  sufferings  to  his  neighbor  1  I  know  it  may  be  answered,  '  Have 
you  not  a  House  of  Representatives  to  whom  you  may  complain  ] '  And  to  this 
I  answer,  'We  have';  but  what  then]  Is  an  assembly  to  be  troubled  with 
every  injury  done  by  a  governor]  Or  are  they  to  hear  of  nothing  but  what 
those  in  the  administration  will  please  to  tell  them  ]  Or  what  sort  of  a  trial 
must  a  man  have]  And  how  is  he  to  be  remedied,  especially  if  the  case  were, 
as  I  have  known  it  to  happen  in  America  in  my  time,  that  a  governor  who  has 
places  (I  will  not  say  pensions,  for  1  believe  they  seldom  give  that  to  another 
which  they  can  take  to  themselves)  to  bestow,  and  can  or  will  keep  the  same  as- 
sembly (after  he  has  modeled  them  so  as  to  get  a  majority  of  the  house  in  his 
interest)  for  near  twice  seven  years  together]    I  pray  what  redress  is  to  be  ex- 


HAMILTON'S  ARGUMENTS. 


555 


pected  for  an  honest  man,  who  makes  his  complaint  against  a  governor  to  an  as- 
sembly who  may  properly  enough  be  said  to  be  made  by  the  same  governor 
against  whom  the  complaint  is  made  ?  ....  A  man  that  is  neither  good  nor 
wise  before  his  being  made  a  governor  never  mends  upon  his  preferment,  but 
generally  grows  worse ;  and  we  all  understand  why  gentlemen  take  so  much 
pains  and  make  such  great  interest  to  be  appointed  governors,  nor  is  the  design 

of  their  appointment  less  manifest  Prosecutions  for  libels  since  the 

time  of  that  arbitrary  court,  the  Star  Chamber,  have  generally  been  set  on  foot  at 
the  instance  of  the  crown  or  his  ministers,  and  countenanced  by  judges  who 
hold  their  places  at  pleasure  If  a  libel  is  understood  in  the  large  and  un- 
limited sense  urged  by  Mr.  Attorney,  there  is  scarce  a  writing  I  know  that  may 
not  be  called  a  libel,  or  scarcely  any  person  safe  from  being  called  to  account  as 
a  libeler.  Moses,  meek  as  he  was,  libeled  Cain  ;  and  who  has  not  libeled  the 
Devil  1  for,  according  to  Mr.  Attorney,  it  is  no  justification  to  say  that  one  has  a 

«     bad  name  How  must  a  man  speak  or  write,  or  what  must  he  hear,  read, 

or  sing,  or  when  must  he  laugh,  so  as  to  be  secure  from  being  taken  up  as  a 
libeler  1  I  sincerely  believe  that  were  some  persons  to  go  through  the  streets 
of  New  York  nowadays,  and  read  a  part  of  the  Bible,  if  it  were  not  known  to 
be  such,  Mr.  Attorney,  with  the  help  of  his  innuendoes,  would  easily  turn  it  to 
be  a  libel ;  as,  for  instance,  the  sixteenth  verse  of  the  ninth  chapter  of  Isaiah  : 
'The  leaders  of  the  people  {innuendo,  the  governor  and  council  of  New  York) 
cause  them  [innuendo,  the  people  of  this  province)  to  err,  and  they  (meaning  the 
people  of  this  province)  are  destroyed  [innuendo,  are  deceived  into  the  loss  of 
their  liberty,  which  is  the  worst  kind  of  destruction).  Or,  if  some  person  should 
publicly  repeat,  in  a  manner  not  pleasing  to  his  betters,  the  tenth  and  eleventh 
verses  of  the  fifty-fifth  chapter  of  the  same  book,  then  Mr.  Attorney  would  have 
a  large  field  to  display  his  skill  in  the  artful  application  of  his  innuendoes.  The 
words  are  :  '  His  watchmen  are  all  blind,  they  are  ignorant ;  yea,  they  are  greedy 
dogs,  that  can  never  have  enough.'  To  make  them  a  libel,  arrange  thus  :  '  His 
watchmen  [innuendo,  the  governor,  council,  and  assembly)  are  all  blind  ;  they  are 
ignorant  (inn  nendo,  will  not  see  the  dangerous  designs  of  his  Excellency) ;  yea, 
they  (meaning  the  governor  and  council)  are  greedy  dogs  which  can  never  have 
enough  [innuendo,  of  riches  and  power)." 

These  humorous  illustrations  were  followed  by  many  others,  all  strictly 
analogous  to  the  charges  against  his  client.  He  dwelt  at  great  length  on 
many  topics  which  we  have  not  cited.    He  closed  by  saying :  — 

"  I  am  truly  very  unequal  to  such  an  undertaking  on  many  accounts ;  and 
you  see  I  labor  under  the  weight  of  years,  and  am  borne  down  with  great  in- 
firmities of  body ;  yet,  old  and  weak  as  I  am,  I  should  think  it  my  duty,  if 
required,  to  go  to  the  utmost  part  of  the  land,  where  my  service  could  be  of  use 
in  assisting  to  quench  the  flame  of  prosecutions  upon  informations  set  on  foot  by 
the  government,  to  deprive  a  people  of  the  right  of  remonstrating  (and  com- 


556 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  SEW  YORK. 


plaining  too)  of  the  arbitrary  attempts  of  men  in  power.  Men  who  injure  and 
oppress  the  people  under  their  administration  provoke  them  to  cry  out  and 
complain,  and  then  make  that  very  complaint  the  foundation  for  new  oppres- 
sions and  prosecutions.  I  wish  I  could  say  there  were  no  instances  of  this  kind. 
But  to  conclude  :  the  question  before  the  court,  and  you,  gentlemen  of  the  jury, 
is  not  of  small  nor  private  concern ;  it  is  not  the  cause  of  a  poor  printer,  nor  of 
New  York  alone,  which  you  are  now  trying.  No  !  It  may  in  its  consequences 
affect  every  freeman  that  lives  under  a  British  government  on  the  main  of 
America !  It  is  the  best  cause,  it  is  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  I  make  no  doubt 
but  your  upright  conduct  this  day  will  not  only  entitle  you  to  the  love  and 
esteem  of  your  fellow-citizens,  but  every  man  who  prefers  freedom  to  a  life  of 
slavery  will  bless  and  honor  you,  as  men  who  have  baffled  the  attempt  of 
tyranny,  and  by  an  impartial  and  uncorrupt  verdict  have  laid  a  noble  founda- 
tion for  securing  to  ourselves,  our  posterity,  and  our  neighbors,  that  to  which 
nature  and  the  laws  of  our  country  have  given  us  a  right,  —  the  liberty  both  of  *. 
exposing  and  opposing  arbitrary  power  (in  these  parts  of  the  world,  at  least) 
by  speaking  and  writing  truth." 

It  was  in  vain  that  Chief  Justice  De  Lancey  charged  the  jury  that  they 
were  judges  of  the  fact,  but  not  of  the  law,  and  that  the  truth  of  the  libel 
was  a  question  beyond  their  jurisdiction.  They  returned  a  verdict,  after 
only  a  few  minutes'  deliberation,  of  "  Not  Guilty."  The  court-room  was 
at  once  the  scene  of  a  noisy  uproar.  The  ignorant  audience  held  the 
court  in  contempt,  because  of  the  gifted  irony  of  the  bar,  and  supposed 
that  the  action  of  the  judges  was  but  another  illustration  of  the  tyranny 
arid  oppression  of  the  times.  The  shouts  which  shook  the  building  until 
it  seemed  as  if  all  its  component  parts  would  be  divorced  from  each  other, 
startled  and  angered  the  judges,  and  one  of  them  indiscreetly  threatened 
the  leader  of  the  tumult  with  imprisonment,  if  he  could  be  discovered. 
Captain  Norris,  a  son  of  the  knighted  admiral  of  that  name,  and  connected 
with  Ex-Chief-Justice  Morris  by  the  marriage  of  his  daughter,  pertly  re- 
sponded, that  huzzas  were  common  in  Westminster  Hall,  and  were  some- 
what loud  at  the  time  of  the  acquittal  of  the  seven  bishops.  The  shouts 
were  repeated  and  repeated,  and  Hamilton,  as  the  champion  of  the  rights 
of  the  oppressed,  was  the  lion  of  the  hour.  He  was  conducted  from  the 
court-room,  with  some  difficulty  resisting  a  ride  upon  the  shoulders  of  the 
crowd,  to  an  elegant  entertainment. 

The  next  day  the  corporation  of  the  city  tendered  him  a  public  dinner, 
at  which  there  was  a  superabuudauce  of  fine  wines  and  finer  brandies. 
The  mayor,  in  a  complimentary  address,  presented  him  with  the  freedom 
of  the  city  in  a  magnificent  gold  box  purchased  by  private  subscription. 
A  grand  ball  was  given  in  his  honor  the  same  evening,  which  was  at- 
tended by  the  families  of  all  such  as  opposed  the  existing  administration, 


EXCITING  SCENES. 


557 


and  by  many  others,  who,  when  the  enthusiasm  subsided,  dropped  back 
into  the  conservative  channel.  The  whole  city  complimented  him  upon 
his  departure.  He  was  escorted  with  ostentatious  ceremony  to  the  barge 
which  was  to  convey  him  to  Philadelphia,  and  received  a  parting  salute 
of  cannon,  amid  the  huzzas  of  the  multitudes  and  the  waving  of  banners. 

The  scribblers  of  the  day  took  courage,  and  grew  more  aggravating  than 
ever.  Squibs,  ballads,  and  serious  charges  against  high  officials  filled  the 
public  prints.  The  acquittal  of  Zenger  was  esteemed  the  great  triumph  of 
the  age.  It  was  not  Zenger  alone,  however,  who  had  been  on  trial.  The 
quick-witted,  restless,  and  malignant  politicians  who  had  sustained  him,  were 
jubilant  over  results  through  which  they  had  been  more  nearly  affected 
than  even  Zenger  himself.  There  was  opportunity  now  for  retaliation. 
Alexander  and  Smith  entered  a  complaint,  as  soon  as  the  Assembly  met 
in  the  autumn,  against  the  judges  for  depriving  them  of  their  practice. 
They  were  heard  by  the  committee  of  grievances  on  the  23d  of  Oc- 
tober ;  and  a  copy  of  the  complaint  was  ordered  to  be  served  on 
the  judges,  and  an  answer  required  within  forty  days. 

Prior  to  1743  the  statute  provided  no  limit  to  the  length  of  office  of 
the  members  of  the  Assembly.  The  governor  might  at  any  time  dissolve 
them  and  order  a  new  election,  according  to  his  pleasure.  In  Governor 
Hunter's  time  the  Legislature  chosen  in  1716  remained  in  office  until 
1725.  After  that  an  election  took  place  annually  until  1728,  when  the 
Assembly  had  another  protracted  existence  of  nine  years,  until  1737. 
A  bill  passed  the  House  in  1734,  that  no  Assembly  should  continue  more 
than  three  years.  The  council  did  not  act  upon  it,  and  it  was  lost.  The 
subject  was  repeatedly  agitated.  In  November  of  the  same  year  the 
House  petitioned  the  governor  for  a  dissolution.  He  gave  them  to  under- 
stand that  he  should  do  it  when  he  pleased.  And  he  did  not  then  please. 
In  the  midst  of  these  special  agitations,  in  1735,  a  petition,  very  largely 
signed  by  the  citizens,  was  presented  to  the  governor,  suggesting  that  the 
long  session  was  a  grievance,  and  asking  that  it  might  be  dissolved,  which 
was  again  refused,  notwithstanding  the  members  unanimously  asked  his 
consent.  The  House  at  once  resolved  "  that,  the  Court  of  Chancery,  under 
the  exercise  of  a  governor,  without  consent  of  the  General  Assembly,  is 
contrary  to  law,  unwarrantable,  and  of  dangerous  consequences  to  the 
liberties  and  properties  of  the  people."  Presently  a  petition  came  from 
Queen's  County,  to  the  effect  that  the  long  continuance  of  the  Assembly 
occasioned  a  decay  of  trade  and  depreciation  of  lands.  This  incensed  some 
of  the  members,  and  after  a  spirited  debate  the  House  voted  that  the 
charge  was  an  "  unjust  and  audacious  misrepresentation."  Shortly  after,  the 
lawyers  who  had  been  silenced  in  their  profession,  insinuated  with  stinging 


558 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


emphasis,  that  the  distant  day  assigned  for  the  answer  of  the  judges  to 
their  complaints  was  an  attempt  to  evade  justice. 

Cosby  wrote  to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  complaining  of  Alexander  as  being 
at  the  head  of  a  scheme  to  give  all  imaginable  uneasiness  to  the  govern- 
ment, and  asked  for  the  removal  of  both  Alexander  and  Van  Dam  from 
the  council.  He  said  that  private  meetings  were  being  held  several 
nights  in  a  week,  and  that  scurrilous  and  abusive  pamphlets,  published 
against  the  Ministry  and  persons  of  honor  and  quality  in  England,  were 
being  reprinted  in  New  York,  with  such  alterations  as  served  to  enrage 
the  people  against  the  governor,  council,  Assembly,  and  magistrates  gen- 
erally. 

Cosby  himself  seems  to  have  done  very  little  to  rescue  his  memory 
from  universal  detestation.  He  destroyed,  about  this  time,  certain  deeds 
belonging  to  the  city  of  Albany,  which  occasioned  almost  a  panic.  The 
Mohawks  had  conveyed  a  valuable  part  of  their  territory  to  the  corpora- 
tion of  that  city,  to  take  effect  upon  the  total  dissolution  of  their  tribe. 
These  documents  were  shown  to  Cosby  to  convince  him  of  the  injustice 
of  granting  the  same  property  to  private  patentees.  He  had  requested 
the  perusal  of  them,  and  after  reading  threw  them  into  the  fire  before 
which  he  was  seated,  and  they  were  instantly  consumed.  He  intended 
to  enrich  himself  with  lees  for  new  grants,  as  well  as  by  the  acquisition 
of  improved  lands.  From  the  same  motive  originated  a  project  t<>  re- 
survey  all  the  old  patents  on  Long  Island.  The  inhabitants  were  almost 
universally  alarmed.  Long  Island  comprehended  at  that  time  nearly  a 
third  part  of  the  improved  lands  of  the  colony.  No  land-owner  knew 
whether  his  best  improved  possessions  might  not  fall  beyond  the  new 
lines  assigned  for  his  tract.  Every  intelligent  man  understood  that  the 
old  grants  and  patents  were  penned  inaccurately,  and  with  all  the  negli- 
gence of  liberality,  and  that  in  some  instances  proprietors  had  taken  ad- 
vantage of  the  description  of  their  limits  by  marked  trees  and  other  un- 
certain boundaries,  to  extend  their  possessions  too  far.  But  a  re-survey 
could  only  be  attended  with  difficulty  and  danger.  The  adventurous 
planter  had  been  obliged,  after  acquiring  his  title  from  the  crown,  to  buy 
peace  from  the  savages  as  often  as  they  were  pleased  to  renew  their 
claims,  before  he  could  cultivate  the  soil  in  safety.  The  prospect  of  sec- 
ond patents  promised  mischief,  animosities,  and  lawsuits.  De  Lancey 
was  astonished,  for  he  comprehended  the  embarrassments  which  must 
ensue.  In  reply  to  his  expostulations,  Cosby  remarked,  petulantly, 
"What  do  you  suppose  I  care  for  the  grumbling  rustics?" 

From  this  troublous  epoch  arose  two  great  parties,  differing  materially 
from  those  which  had  shaken  New  York  in  the  years  gone  before,  and 


FIRST  CITY  POOR-HOUSE. 


559 


which  ever  afterwards  divided  the  people  of  the  province.  Both  pro- 
fessed the  utmost  loyalty  to  the  British  Constitution,  and  claimed  and 
upheld  the  rights  of  Englishmen.  But  one  was  conservative  and  the 
other  radical.  As  in  England,  the  religious  element  entered  largely  into 
politics.  The  Episcopalians  and  many  of  the  Dutch  were  conservative, 
while  the  remainder  of  the  Dutch,  and  the  Presbyterians,  almost  to  a 
man,  might  have  been  found  among  the  radicals.  There  were  wit,  taste, 
subtlety  in  drawing  distinctions,  and  stubborn  resolution  on  both  sides, 
and  each  contending  party  had  always  some  advantage  over  the  other. 

Meanwhile  the  city  progressed  slowly.  Paul  Richard  was  the  newly 
elected  mayor,  and  was  soon  after  recommended  by  Cosby  to  the  Lords 
of  Trade  as  a  fit  man  to  appoint  to  the  council.  Cortlandt  Street  was 
laid  out  during  the  summer,  and  Beekman  Swamp  sold  for  £  100.  The 
city  watch  was  increased  to  ten,  and  two  constables  appointed.  On  the 
16th  of  July,  Governor  Cosby,  with  imposing  ceremonies,  laid  the  corner- 
stone of  a  new  Battery  on  Whitehall  Rocks.  A  terrible  accident  occurred 
on  this  occasion  through  the  bursting  of  an  old  cannon.  Three  persons 
were  instantly  killed,  one  of  whom  was  the  daughter  of  Colonel  Van 
Cortlandt ;  the  others  were  John  Syms,  the  high  sheriff,  and  a  son-in-law 
of  Alderman  Reimer. 

A  poor-house,  which 
was  also  a  house  of  cor- 
rection and  a  sort  of  cala- 
boose for  unruly  slaves, 
was  erected  in  1734  on 
the  Commons  —  City  Hall 
Park  —  alongside  of  the 
gallows ;  the  latter  retired 
shortly  afterward  into  the 
valley  near  Eresh  Water 
Pond.  This  building  was 
46  feet  long,  24  wide,  and 
two  stories  high.  Some 
of  the  quaint  regulations  First  Clt*  P°°r-H°use- 

of  this  institution  are  flashed  upon  our  notice,  through  the  following  ex- 
tract from  the  minutes  of  the  Common  Council,  March,  1736  :  — 

"  As  provision  is  made  for  the  poor,  the  committee  recommend  that  all  beg- 
gars on  the  streets  he  put  to  hard  labor ;  that  parish  children  be  religiously 
educated,  taught  to  read  and  write,  and  cast  accounts,  and  employed  in  spinning, 
knitting,  and  sewing,  to  qualify  them  for  being  put  out  apprentices;  that  fet- 
ters, gyves,  shackles,  and  a  convenient  place,  or  whipping-post,  be  provided  for 


560 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


the  incorrigible ;  that  a  garden  be  fenced  in  for  raising  roots  and  herbs  for  the 
poor;  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  have  free  license  to  send  to  the  said 
house  all  servants  and  slaves,  there  to  be  kept  to  hard  labor,  and  punished  ac- 
cording to  the  directions  of  any  one  justice,  with  the  consent  of  the  master  or 
mistress ;  that  the  master  or  mistress  pay  1  s.  entrance,  and  Is.  6d.  for  whip- 
ping, and  for  discharge  1  s.,  and  7  d.  per  day  during  confinement." 

New  York  was  pronounced  at  that  time  one  of  the  most  social  places 
on  the  continent.  The  gentlemen  collected  themselves  into  weekly  even- 
ing clubs,  and  both  gentlemen  and  ladies  were  often  entertained  with 
concerts,  assemblies,  etc.,  as  well  as  private  parties.  An  elegant  ball  was 
given  at  the  "  Black  Horse,"  on  the  evening  of  January  19,  1736,  to  cele- 
brate the  birthday  of  the  Prince  of  Wales.  The  dress  and  appearance 
of  the  guests  was  reported  by  the  press  as  magnificent.  The  fete  was 
opened  with  French  dances.  Mrs.  Captain  Norris  introduced  a  new 
country  dance  which  captivated  the  whole  company.  At  the  conclusion 
of  a  sumptuous  banquet,  the  "  Hon.  Rip  Van  Dam,  President  of  his 
Majesty's  council,  began  the  royal  healths,  which  were  all  drank  with 
bumpers."  On  the  morning  of  the  same  day,  the  members  of  the  council, 
and  the  principal  merchants  and  gentlemen  of  the  city,  had  assembled  at 
the  fort,  and  "  drank  the  royal  healths  " ;  but,  owing  to  the  illness  of  Gov- 
ernor Cosby,  other  customary  public  demonstrations  on  such  an  occasion 
were  omitted. 

It  is  curious  how  the  feud  between  Cosby  and  Van  Dam  smouldered, 
and  widened  in  its  proportions  as  months  rolled  on.  The  latter,  although 
president  of  the  council,  rarely  attended  its  meetings.  He  wrote  repeat- 
edly to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  endeavoring  to  impress  upon  their  minds  the 
condition  and  wants  of  New  York,  and  the  total  unfitness  of  their  gov- 
ernor for  his  responsible  position.  Cosby  was  in  constant  correspondence 
with  the  same  parties,  and  used  the  most  extravagant  language  in  accus- 
ing and  abusing  Van  Dam.1  Dr.  Colden  resided  out  of  town,  and  only 
made  his  appearance  occasionally.  But  he  so  far  sustained  Van  Dam  in 
the  position  he  maintained,  that  Cosby  declared  him  unworthy  of  confi- 
dence. In  one  of  Cosby's  letters  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle,  he  said  that 
Colden  was  closely  linked  with  the  opposers  of  the  government,  and  acted 
as  their  spy  upon  the  transactions  of  the  council. 

Cosby's  illness  continued  all  winter.  At  times  he  was  able  to  attend 
to  business ;  but  he,  as  well  as  his  physicians,  was  apprehensive  of  serious 

1  Articles  of  Complaint  against  Governor  Cosby  by  Rip  Van  Dam,  Esq.  New  York  Col. 
MSS.,  V.  975  -978.  Governor  Cosby  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle,  December  17,  1733.  Gov- 
ernor Cosby  to  the  Lords  of  Trade,  December  7,  1734,  and  Same  to  Same,  June  10,  1735. 
Col.  MSS.,  VI.  24-26,  31,  37,  38. 


DEATH  OF  GOVERNOR  COSBY. 


561 


results.  When  it  first  dawned  upon  his  mind  that  his  life  was  in  actual 
danger,  he  summoned  a  few  of  the  counselors  to  his  bedchamber,  and 
secretly  suspended  Van  Dam,  in  order  to  prevent  the  latter's  assumption 
of  the  government  as  president  of  the  council,  in  case  of  his  death.  He 
lingered  until  the  10th  of  March.  When  he  died  there  was  an  1736. 
outward  show  of  sorrow  and  much  inward  joy.  The  people  whoMarchl° 
were  smarting  under  the  expectation  of  having  their  land-patents  invali- 
dated, thanked  God  fervently  for  having  rid  them  of  a  monstrous  tyrant. 
The  political  party,  not  in  power,  exulted  over  the  prospect  of  Van  Dam's 
speedy  occupancy  of  the  chair  of  state.  They  had  long  since  despaired  of 
any  relief  through  the  exertions  of  Lewis  Morris  in  England ;  now  their 
hour  of  triumph  had  come. 

But  early  the  next  morning,  even  before  the  news  of  the  governor's 
death  had  been  put  in  general  circulation,  the  council  met  and  proceeded 
to  administer  the  oaths  of  office  to  George  Clarke,  who  was  next  to  Van 
Dam  in  the  order  of  age.  There  were  present  at  this  meeting,  besides 
Clarke,  James  Alexander,  Abraham  Van  Home,  James  De  Lancey,  Archi- 
bald Kennedy,  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  Henry  Lane,  and  Daniel  Horse- 
manden.  The  suspension  of  Van  Dam  was  necessarily  made  public. 
Alexander  declined  to  give  his  opinion  concerning  the  singular  and  cow- 
ardly act  of  the  late  governor,  but  the  other  gentlemen  were  united  in 
their  belief  that  the  administration  of  the  government  under  the  circum- 
stances devolved  upon  Clarke,  who  at  once  issued  a  proclamation  announ- 
cing the  governor's  death,  and  continuing  all  officers  in  their  places. 

In  the  afternoon,  Van  Dam  called  upon  Mrs.  Cosby  to  obtain  the  great 
seal  of  the  province,  also  the  commissions  and  instructions  from  the  king. 
He  was  denied  access.  He  then  demanded  them  in  writing  of  Clarke, 
to  whom  he  found  they  had  been  delivered.  Clarke  refused  to  surrender 
them,  and  quoted  the  act  of  suspension  by  which  Van  Dam's  claim  was 
annulled.  Van  Dam  indignantly  assailed  the  validity  of  such  an  act  at 
such  a  time.  He  declared  that  Cosby  was  delirious  and  irresponsible  at 
the  moment  of  the  suspension ;  and  that  if  he  had  been  in  the  full  pos- 
session of  his  faculties,  his  power  was  only  sufficient  to  exclude  him  from 
acting  as  counselor,  and  could  not  interfere  with  his  succession  to  the 
command.  The  simple  authority  of  the  governor  was  extinguished  by 
his  death,  and  thus,  he  said,  the  council  could  not  legally  qualify  Clarke. 

The  sympathy  of  the  community  was  chiefly  with  Van  Dam.  He  was 
a  man  of  sterling  sense  as  well  as  strong  character,  and  his  reputation  for 
honesty  was  unimpeachable.  He  inspired  confidence.  The  people  knew 
him  and  believed  in  him.  They  felt  that  he  had  been  grievously  wronged. 
They  were  disposed  to  support  his  claims  at  any  cost.  Men  gathered 
36 


562 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


in  knots  on  the  streets  and  talked  in  loud  tones.  An  insurrection  at 
one  time  seemed  imminent. 

Clarke  adjourned  the  Assembly,  and  Van  Dam  issued  a  printed  protest 
denying  Clarke's  authority  in  the  matter,  and  insisting  that  the  body  was 
virtually  dissolved,  therefore  could  no  longer  legally  sit  or  act.  The 
members  met  on  the  day  to  which  it  had  been  adjourned,  but  before  the 
speaker  had  taken  the  chair,  they  were  each  served  with  a  copy  of  Van 
Dam's  protest,  enclosed  in  a  printed  letter,  which  warned  them  against 
the  consequences  of  attempting  the  transaction  of  business.  Lewis  Mor- 
ris, Jr.,  stepped  forward  and  spoke  for  half  an  hour  to  the  same  effect, 
and  then  produced  a  "  Declaration,"  denouncing  the  action  of  Clarke  and 
the  council,  which  he  appealed  to  the  members  to  sign.  The  majority 
of  those  present  were  disinclined,  and  he,  with  a  few  others,  left  the 
chamber  in  high  temper.  The  remainder  were  considerably  bewildered 
by  the  turn  events  were  taking,  and  quite  unwilling  to  involve  them- 
selves in  litigation ;  they  returned  to  their  homes,  and  the  House  con- 
tinued under  repeated  adjournments  until  the  late  autumn. 

The  unrest  in  the  atmosphere  caused  serious  fears.  There  were  covert 
threats  of  open  violence  among  the  common  people.  Clarke  was  attacked 
by  writers  in  the  Weekly  Journal,  Zenger's  paper,  and  boldly  menaced 
with  a  prosecution.  The  public  memory  was  constantly  refreshed  through 
the  same  source  with  distorted  accounts  of  "  high  crimes  "  in  high  places, 
and  Bradford,  in  the  New  York  Gazette,  retorted  in  similar  absurd  exagger- 
ations. Clarke  earnestly  implored  the  Lords  of  Trade  to  protect  him  by 
removing  Van  Dam  from  office,  thereby  admitting  his  own  doubts  of  the 
validity  of  the  governor's  secret  suspension,  unless  the  act  was  sustained 
and  reacted  upon  by  the  crown.  "  He  will  sue  me,"  continued  Clarke,  "for 
the  profits  of  the  government,  if  you  do  not  silence  him,  and  I  shall  be 
undone." 1 

As  a  specimen  of  the  "  freedom  of  the  press,"  so  recently  guaranteed  by 
the  acquittal  of  Zenger,  the  following  extract  from  the  columns  of  the 
Weekly  Journal  is  given  :  — 

"  Whatever  desire  some  of  the  subjects  of  the  British  Dominions  may  have  to 
be  above  the  law,  and  tread  it  under  foot,  yet  the  law  will,  in  the  long  run,  get 
above  them.  It  is  too  strong  to  contend  with,  and  he  who  does  contend  with  it 
will  hardly  escape  a  fall.  Of  this  the  Hon.  Francis  Harrison,  counselor,  is  a  recent 
example.8    All  the  power  he  had  to  support  him  could  not  prevent  a  fall.  If 

1  President  Clarke  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle,  March  16,  1736. 

3  "Harrison  went  privately  to  England  in  1735.  It  was  imagined  that  Cosby  sent  him 
to  watch  ami  oppose  the  movements  of  Colonel  Lewis  Morris,  and  that  the  governor's  death 
plunged  him  into  poverty,  and  prevented  his  return.  He  did  not  long  survive  that  event."  — 
Smith's  New  York,  Vol.  II.  p.  29. 


CONTEST  BETWEEN  VAN  DAM  AND  CLARKE.  563 


Mr.  Clarke  be  not  entitled  to  the  administration,  I  believe  a  grand  jury  of  New 
York  will  think  him  guilty  of  high  treason  for  usurping,  and  indict  him  accord- 
ingly. I  do  not  believe  that  they  will  think  his  superiority  or  their  subordina- 
tion will  excuse  them  for  not  doing  it.  Their  oath  is  to  present  all  offenders. 
I  hitherto  have  not  heard  of  any  exception  in  it,  either  of  counselors  or  com- 
mander-in-chief. They  are  as  subject  to  law  as  the  meanest  man  in  New  York, 
let  their  desire  be  ever  so  strong  to  be  above  it ;  and  if  the  grand  jury  indicts,  I 
doubt  not  the  court  will  issue  the  process  thereof  to  apprehend  him  and  try  him 
by  twelve  lawful  men  of  New  York,  where  the  fact  was  committed.  If  he  is 
taken,  I  doubt  not  but  that  he  will  have  the  liberty  of  pleading  his  superiority, 
and  the  subordination  of  the  court  and  jury  against  their  jurisdiction.  I  doubt 
not  but  that  the  plea  will  be  fully  heard  as  it  ought  to  be,  and  that  his  lawyers 
may  speak  freely  in  support  of  it,  notwithstanding  all  the  part  he  had  in  making 
of  such  precedents  ;  and  if  his  lawyers  can  make  it  out,  that  he  is  above  and  out 
of  the  reach  of  the  law,  the  court  ought  to  allow  the  plea  ;  but  if  they  can't,  as  I 
believe  they  cannot,  he  must  there  hold  up  his  hand,  as  well  as  the  meanest  and 
most  arch  pickpocket  that  ever  was  in  New  York,  and  either  confess  and  be 
hanged,  or  say  not  guilty,  and  put  himself  for  his  trial  on  God  and  his  country ; 
and  if  such  be  the  case,  I  hope  justice  he  may  depend  upon.  But  what  charity 
twelve  good  men  of  New  York,  sworn  to  try  him,  will  have  for  him,  he,  by  run- 
ning over  his  past  services  to  the  properties,  liberties,  and  privileges  of  this  coun- 
try, may  in  some  measure,  be  able  to  judge.  But,  however,  as  a  Christian,  I 
shall  be  obliged,  in  that  case,  to  join  in  the  clerk's  prayer,  and  say,  God  send  you 
a  good  deliverance." 

Odious  nicknames  were  given  to  the  counselors.  They  were  often  in- 
sulted in  the  streets.  Alexander,  at  his  quiet  country-seat  in  New  Jersey, 
refused  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  council.  Thus  the  summer  passed 
away. 

Meanwhile  Lewis  Morris  returned  from  England,  reaching  Morrisania 
by  the  way  of  Boston  on  the  7th  of  October.  His  purposes  had  been  well- 
nigh  defeated  several  times,  but,  nothing  daunted,  he  had  with  charac- 
teristic spirit  and  pertinacity  stood  his  ground  until  his  triumph  was 
complete.  Peter  Collinson  wrote  to  Alexander,  saying,  "the  Duke  of 
Newcastle  (to  whom  Cosby  was  indebted  for  his  appointment)  was 
strong  in  the  governor's  interest,  and  also  Lord  Halifax,  a  relation  of  the 
governor ;  but  the  governor's  spleen,  pique,  and  prejudice  were  so  noto- 
riously seen  through  the  whole  charge  against  Morris,  that  there  was  no 
supporting  it."  Notwithstanding  the  strongest  efforts  to  the  contrary  by 
the  friends  of  Cosby,  the  committee  of  Lords  who  had  given  the  affair  a 
final  hearing  on  the  7th  of  November,  1735,  pronounced  the  governor's 
reasons  for  removing  Morris  from  the  chief-justiceship,  insufficient.  Fer- 
dinaud  John  Paris  wrote  to  Alexander,  on  the  21st  of  the  same  month,  "  I 
am  inclined  to  think  his  Excellency  shakes." 


564 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


The  advantage  gave  Morris  increased  consideration  among  the  lords. 
It  was  henceforth  advisable  to  approach  him  with  caution.  The  slum- 
bering question  of  a  separate  governor  for  New  Jersey,  was  revived,  but 
not  acted  upon,  until  February,  1738,  at  which  time  he  received  the 
appointment,  and  shortly  after  entered  upon  his  duties.  He  sailed  for 
America,  however,  as  soon  as  he  heard  of  the  death  of  Cosby. 

News  reached  New  York  in  the  evening  that  Colonel  Morris  was  at 
his  mansion  in  Morrisania.  The  next  morning  he  was  waited  upon  by 
some  of  the  leaders  of  the  popular  party,  and  conducted  to  the 
city  to  attend  a  public  meeting  preparatory  to  the  approaching 
appointment  of  city  officials.  He  was  met  by  crowds  of  people,  who  in- 
dulged in  the  most  enthusiastic  cheers  of  welcome.  "When  he  learned  to 
what  extremes  the  controversy  had  advanced,  he  expressed  his  opinion 
gravely  and  with  resolute  firmness  ;  Van  Dam  had  a  right  to  the  admin- 
istration, and  he  was  willing  to  execute  the  office  of  chief  justice  under 
him.  As  for  the  Assembly,  he  pronounced  it  dissolved,  and  said  that 
force  ought  to  be  opposed  to  force,  if  Clarke  continued  to  claim  authority. 
"  Be  sure  of  one  thing,"  he  remarked  with  emphasis  ;  "  if  you  don't  hang 
them  they  will  hang  you." 

The  pivot  upon  which  matters  seemed  likely  to  turn  was  the  action 
of  the  corporation  of  the  city.  In  the  election  of  aldermen  the  Van  Dam 
party  had  prevailed.  Among  those  elected  were  John  Aspinwall,  Jaco- 
bus Rosevelt,  Stephen  Bayard,  Gerardus  Beekman,  John  Pintard,  and 
Gerardus  Stuyvesant.  The  29th  of  September  was  the  day  provided  by 
the  charter,  on  which  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  province  should 
nominate  the  mayor,  recorder,  sheriff,  coroner,  etc.,  for  the  ensuing  year, 
and  the  14th  of  October  was  the  day  for  them  to  be  sworn  into  office. 
Clarke  and  Van  Dam  each  summoned  a  meeting  of  the  executive  council, 
and  each  made  out  their  list  of  appointees.1  The  Common  Council  met 
in  great  tribulation,  and  sent  the  mayor,  with  one  or  two  attendants,  to 
both  Clarke  and  Van  Dam,  to  beg  that  all  appointments  might  be  re- 
voked while  there  was  so  much  uncertainty  about  who  was  entitled  to 
supreme  authority,  as  it  would  endanger  the  charter  to  accept  new  city 

1  Van  Duni  caused  the  following  paper  to  be  served  upon  Clarke  :  — 

"  New  York,  September  20,  1736. 

"  His  Majesty's  council  of  the  province  Wing  duly  summoned  to  attend  me  in  council, 
as  commander-in-chief  of  the  province,  and  James  Alexander  appearing,  and  the  rest 
neglecting  to  appear  according  to  the  said  summons,  so  that  a  i|Uorum  could  not  1*  made  to 
give  me  their  advice  concerning  the  appointment  of  the  following  magistrates  of  this  city,  I 
have,  in  their  default,  appointed  Cornelius  Home  mayor,  William  Smith  recorder,  Kichard 
Ashfield  sheriff,  and  Richard  Nicolls  coroner,  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Kip  Van  Dam." 


CLARKE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  COUNCIL. 


565 


officers.  During  the  election  of  the  aldermen  in  the  different  wards, 
a  paper  had  been  circulated  for  signatures,  declaring  that  Van  Dam  had 
a  right  to  the  administration.  The  Weekly  Journal  was  filled  with 
inflammable  articles  tending  to  persuade  the  people  that  every  man  had 
a  right  to  judge  to  whom  the  administration  of  the  government  belonged, 
with  significant  hints  that  if  a  governor  misbehave  they  were  at  liberty 
to  depose  him.  The  meeting  on  the  8th  of  October,  was  of  such  a 
character  that  Clarke,  knowing  the  majority  of  the  corporation  were  of 
the  popular  party,  retired  from  his  elegant  city  residence  into  the  fort, 
and  prepared  for  defense  in  case  of  a  resort  to  arms,  which  was  confi- 
dently expected. 

The  magistrates  chosen  by  Van  Dam  had  actually  resolved  to  meet  the 
issue.  Private  conferences  had  been  held ;  Alexander,  Smith,  and  Morris 
had  each  given  legal  advice ;  and  steps  had  been  taken  to  overpower  the 
soldiers  on  duty  if  they  interfered.  Twenty-four  hours  more,  and  New 
York  would  be  plunged  in  civil  war. 

Just  at  this  crisis  the  brigantine  Endeavor  arrived  from  England,  bring- 
ing despatches  from  the  government  to  Clarke,  which  clearly  established 
his  authority  as  president  of  the  council,  and  commander-in-chief  of  the 
province.    The  city  officers  whom  he  had  appointed  were  duly 
sworn,  and  the  machinery  of  municipal  affairs  remained  intact. 

Clarke  summoned  the  Assembly  on  the  same  day,  and  delivered  a 
speech  which  was  remarkable  for  the  temperate  manner  in  which  he  re- 
ferred to  the  late  unhappy  divisions  in  the  colony.  He  invited  attention 
to  ship-building,  which  had  become  very  lucrative  in  some  of  the  neigh- 
boring colonies,  and  sadly  neglected  in  this ;  also  to  the  expediency  of 
encouraging  domestic  manufactures  in  various  departments  of  industry. 

For  four  years,  little  or  no  attention  had  been  given  to  Indian  affairs: 
The  incessant  quarrels  of  Cosby  with  the  people  and  their  representa- 
tives had  left  him  apparently  no  time  to  bestow  upon  the  frontiers.  The 
Six  Nations,  in  the  absence  of  other  employment,  had  resumed  hostilities 
against  their  enemies  at  the  south.  One  of  their  expeditions,  directed 
against  the  Chickasaws,  was  shockingly  disastrous ;  they  fell  into  an 
ambuscade,  and  fought  until  all  but  two  of  a  strong  band  of  warriors  were 
slain.  One  only  of  these  returned  to  tell  the  mournful  story.  Another 
expedition  had  been  sent  against  the  Catawbas  and  Cherokees.  A  fierce 
battle  was  fought  in  Kentucky,  at  a  place  called  the  "  Bloody  Lands,"  and 
although  the  Six  Nations  were  victorious,  it  was  with  terrible  loss. 
Clarke  recommended  the  raising  of  money  to  repair  the  forts,  as  they 
were  very  dilapidated,  and  suggested  the  erection  of  a  new  one  at  the 
carrying-place  leading  into  Oneida  Lake,  and  thence  through  the  Oswego 


566 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


River  into  Lake  Ontario;  he  thought  it  would  be  well  to  transfer  the 
garrison  from  Fort  Hunter  to  this  new  and  commanding  position.  And 
to  humor  the  clamor  within  the  House,  he  consented  to  introduce  the 
practice  (which  has  since  prevailed)  of  absenting  himself  from  the  council, 
whenever  it  should  sit  as  a  branch  of  the  Legislature.  Chief  Justice  De 
Lancey  was  immediately  appointed  speaker  of  the  council  during  the 
session. 

The  concession  so  pleased  the  Common  Council,  that  the  next  morning 
they  sent  a  committee  to  offer  one  of  the  chambers  in  the  City  Hall  for 
the  sittings  of  the  Legislative  Council,  which  was  graciously  accepted. 
The  following  was  accordingly  placed  upon  their  records :  — 

"At  a  Common  Council  held  at  the  City  Hall  on  Thursday  the  21st 
Oct.  21.  J 
day  of  October,  1736. 

"Present,  Paul  Richard,  Esq',  Mayor,  Gerrardus  Stuyvesant,  Esq',  Deputy 

Mayor,  Daniel  Horsemanden,  Esqr,  Recorder,  (with  the  aldermen  and  assist 

ants.) 

"  Forasmuch  as  his  Majesty's  Councill  of  this  Province  are  to  sit  and  act  in 
their  Legislative  capacity,  during  the  sessions  of  the  General  Assembly  (without 
the  presence  of  the  Governor  or  Commander-in-chief  of  this  province)  and  where- 
as, a  convenient  room  or  chamber  in  the  City  Hall,  under  the  same  rooff  where 
the  General  Assembly  do  usually  meet  and  sit  is  for  the  better  expediting  the 
publick  affaires  of  this  Colony,  that  both  Houses  may  have  speedy  recourse  to  each 
other  for  their  greater  ease  and  more  speedy  accomplishing  of  business  ; 

"  Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  the  said  Chamber  in  the  City  Hall  of  this  City, 
commonly  called  the  Common  Council  Chamber,  be  with  all  convenient  expedi- 
tion handsomely  fitted  up  and  furnished,  and  a  convenient  closet  or  more  mail.' 
in  the  same,  and  that  the  Chamber  be  adorned  with  pictures,  maps,  prints,  and 
appropriated  for  the  use  and  service  of  his  Majesty's  Council  of  this  province,  at 
all  times  during  their  sessions  in  General  Assembly,  and  not  otherwise,  reserving 
to  this  corporation  the  property  and  use  thereof  at  all  other  times. 

"  Order  of  Common  Council, 

Will  Sharpas,  Clerk." 

The  Supreme  Court  was  in  session,  where  De  Lancey  as  chief  justice 
was  in  constant  attendance.    He  consequently  declined  the  honor  of  act- 
ing as  speaker  of  the  council,  and  a  resolution  was  passed  that  the  senior 
counselor  present  should  at  all  times  preside.    Hon.  Cadvvallader  Colden, 
„   .   who  had  returned  to  the  city,  accordingly  took  the  chair.1 

Oct.  30.  J  >  o  J 

A  few  days  later,  Clarke  received  a  commission  from  the  crown, 

1  The  council,  as  will  be  observed,  acted  in  a  twofold  capacity  :  first,  as  advisory  or  privy 
council  to  the  governor,  and  second  (during  the  sessions  of  the  Assembly)  as  a  legislative 
council,  in  which  they  exercised  similar  functions  as  the  Senate  of  the  present  day. 


CLARKE  LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR  OF  NEW  YORK.  567 


dated  July  30,  constituting  him  lieutenant-governor  of  the  province. 
This  gave  him  additional  power  and  consequence. 

The  reaction  from  chaos  to  order  was  so  sudden  and  pronounced  that 
there  was  a  general  lull  in  the  political  world.  The  Assembly  had  an 
inactive  and  peaceable  session,  and  on  the  7th  of  November  was  prorogued 
until  April.  The  winter  was  given  to  social  gayeties  and  popular  amuse- 
ments. Clarke  was  immensely  gratified  with  his  honors.  His  immediate 
connection  with  some  of  the  prominent  lords  at  Whitehall  (he  was  a 
nephew  of  Blathwayt,  to  whom,  indeed,  he  was  indebted  for  his  appoint- 
ment in  1703  as  secretary  of  the  province  of  New  York,)  and  through 
his  marriage  with  the  royal  family  itself,  had  given  tone  to  his  aspira- 
tions. He  was  by  no  means  a  brilliant  man,  but  thirty-four  years  of 
active  public  service  in  the  colony  had  rendered  him  well  acquainted  with 
its  affairs.  He  was  tall,  straight,  with  a  military  air  and  mien  that  made 
a  favorable  impression  upon  every  one  at  first  sight.  He  was  not  a  man 
of  letters ;  his  mind  was  filled  with  schemes  for  increasing  his  fortune, 
rather  than  in  lines  of  study.  But  he  was  intelligent,  sensible,  and  cau- 
tious. He  had  perfect  command  of  a  haughty,  overbearing  temper,  and 
was  extremely  affable  and  conciliating  in  his  address. 

Mrs.  Clarke  was  one  of  the  most  accomplished  and  charming  of  women. 
She  was  not,  strictly  speaking,  a  beauty,  but  her  face  was  full  of  expres- 
sion, and  her  heart  overflowed  with  keen,  quick  sympathies.  Her  sweet- 
ness of  temper  was  historical.  It  was  said  that  nothing  could  ruffle  it 
or  draw  an  unkind  criticism  from  her  lips.  Her  husband's  affectionate 
regard  and  devotedness  to  her,  and  his  ready  submission  to  her  soothing 
voice,  even  when  in  his  most  excited  and  revengeful  moods,  were  among 
the  commendable  traits  in  his  character.  And  it  is  a  strong  proof  of  her 
clear  understanding,  excellent  judgment,  and  self-control,  that  she  main- 
tained through  her  whole  life  such  a  healthful  influence  over  him. 

Clarke  had  so  managed  hitherto  as  not  to  lose  the  favor  of  any  gov- 
ernor. He  now  determined  to  make  peace  with  all  classes  of  men  in  the 
colony.  One  of  his  first  important  acts  was  to  effect  a  reconciliation  be- 
tween the  judges  and  Alexander  and  Smith,  and  restore  the  latter  to  their 
professional  rank  at  the  bar.  It  was  a  politic  measure.  But  it  failed  to 
accomplish  the  purpose  intended.  Some  of  the  more  conservative  mem- 
bers of  the  council  took  exceptions  to  this  seemingly  middle  course  which 
the  new  executive  had  adopted,  chief  among  whom  was  De  Lancey. 
Their  confidence  was  shaken. 

It  was  quite  an  event  when  the  two  able  lawyers  once  more  appeared 
in  court.1    Alexander  was  no  speaker,  but  his  breadth  of  learning,  honesty 

1  Historical  Sketch  of  the  Judicial  Tribunals  of  New  York.    By  Charles  P.  Daly. 


568 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


of  purpose,  and  depth  of  thought  commanded  universal  respect  and  ad- 
miration. He  possessed  the  knack  of  throwing  terrible  significance  into 
a  few  well-chosen  words  at  certain  times,  and  was  always  a  formidable 
and  much-dreaded  adversary.  Smith  was  a  born  orator.  Speaking  re- 
quired no  effort  with  him.  His  grandest  orations  were  often  impromptu. 
There  was  always  more  or  less  of  pathos,  humor,  scorn,  and  anger  in 
them.  He  usually  spoke  slowly,  regularly,  distinctly,  and  smoothly,  —  as 
a  clock  ticks,  —  and  seemed  able  to  continue  an  indefinite  length  of  time. 
His  voice  was  musical,  which,  with  an  attractive  face,  fine  presence,  and 
great  personal  magnetism,  was  very  effective  upon  a  jury.  He  was  a 
man  of  varied  attainments;  an  excellent  theologian,  a  French,  Greek, 
Latin,  and  Hebrew  scholar,  and  something  of  an  adept  in  the  sciences. 

The  hospitalities  of  society  were  dispensed  by  Lieutenant-Governor 
Clarke,  Chief  Justice  De  Lancey,  Eobert  Watts,  Abraham  De  Peyster,  Jr., 
the  treasurer  of  the  province,  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  of  Cortlandt  Manor, 
James  Alexander,  Colonel  Beekman,  Dr.  Colden,  and  others,  with  a  lib- 
erality and  grace  which  have  rarely  been  surpassed.  Drawing-rooms 
were  not  filled  to  suffocation  by  a  promiscuous  crowd  unknown  to  each 
other  and  scarcely  known  to  the  host  and  hostess.  The  guests  were  all 
of  one  class,  and  personally  acquainted.  The  majority  of  them  were  re- 
lated by  blood  and  marriage.  Social  intercourse  was  genial  and  agreeable, 
with  great  freedom  of  conversation.  There  were  certain  formalities,  how- 
ever, which  were  never  ignored ;  and  the  etiquette  of  foreign  courts  was 
observed  with  a  nicety  which  we,  of  this  later  and  more  democratic 
generation,  can  scarcely  comprehend. 

Clarke  met  the  Assemblv  in  April,  but  the  august  and  ancient 

1737*  • 

body  had  grown  captious ;  a  respectable  minority  among  the  mem- 
bers were  intent  upon  a  dissolution.  He  finally  made  a  speech  in  terms 
of  real  or  affected  disgust,  charging  the  gentlemen,  of  whom  he  said  their 
constituents  were  heartily  tired,  with  having  neglected  the  interests  of 
both  crown  and  colony,  and  dissolved  them,  issuing  writs  at  once  for  a 
new  election. 

It  was  nine  years  since  the  people  had  had  an  opportunity  of  choosing 
representatives,  and  they  went  into  the  field  with  a  relish.  The  radicals 
won.  Among  the  chosen,  were,  Colonel  Van  Rennselaer,  Colonel  Schuy- 
ler, Frederick  Philipse,  lord  of  Philipse  Manor,  Philip  Livingston,  Colo- 
nel Beekman,  David  Jones,  and  Gulian  Verplanck.  James  Alexander 
was  the  new  member  elected  by  the  city  of  New  York.  Lewis  Morris, 
Jr.,  was  made  speaker  of  the  House,  which  met  in  August.  The  presence 
of  these  two  leading  minds  may  be  traced  in  nearly  all  the  records  of  the 
Twenty-First  Assembly.    It  was  resolved  to  publish  in  future  the  names 


SPIRIT  OF  INDEPENDENCE. 


569 


of  voters  for  and  against  any  question.  Bills  were  offered  by  the  speaker 
for  the  regulation  of  elections,  for  appointing  an  agent  in  Great  Britain, 
independent  of  the  governor,  for  reducing  the  interest  on  loans,  and 
others  of  great  variety.  Bills  were  offered  by  Alexander  encouraging  the 
importation  of  both  white  and  colored  servants,  the  manufacture  of  iron 
and  hemp,  the  prevention  of  frauds  in  flour  and  other  products  intended 
for  exportation,  etc. 


Beekman  Mansion,  built  by  James  Beekman  in  1763. 
(It  stood  near  the  corner  of  Fifty-First  Street  and  First  Avenue  until  1874.) 


The  response  of  the  House  to  the  address  of  the  lieutenant-governor 
was  somewhat  of  a  revelation.  A  spirit  of  independence  blazed  forth 
which  would  have  done  honor  to  the  best  days  of  Greece  and  Rome. 
Some  of  the  vital  principles  of  good  government  were  recognized,  particu- 
larly in  reference  to  the  frequency  of  elections  and  the  danger  of  trusting 
the  same  men  too  long  with  power.  One  paragraph  on  the  hackneyed 
subject  of  the  revenue  deserves  notice  :  — 

"  We  therefore  beg  leave  to  tell  your  Honor  that  you  are  not  to  expect  that 
we  either  will  raise  sums  unfit  to  be  raised,  or  put  that  which  we  shall  raise  into 
the  power  of  a  governor  to  misapply,  if  we  can  prevent  it ;  nor  shall  we  make 
up  any  other  deficiencies  than  what  we  conceive  are  fit  and  just  to  be  paid,  or 
continue  what  support  or  revenue  we  shall  raise  for  any  longer  time  than  one 
36 


570  HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 

year ;  nor  do  we  think  it  convenient  to  do  even  that,  until  such  laws  are  passed 
as  we  conceive  necessary  for  the  safety  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  colony." 

The  session  continued  until  December.  Many  bills  of  the  first  impor- 
tance were  passed.  Paper  money  was  emitted  for  paying  the  provincial 
debt,  and  a  loan-office  was  erected.  The  fort  at  Oswego  was  once  more 
protected,  and  Indian  trade  facilitated.  Clarke  humored  the  intemperate 
zeal  of  one  party,  and  curbed  as  far  as  possible  the  resentment  of  the 
other.  He  found  himself  presently  regarded  with  watchful  suspicion  by 
both  parties. 

For  a  century  the  feudal  estate  of  the  Gardiners  on  the  beautiful  island 
at  the  eastern  extremity  of  Long  Island  Sound  had  steadily  flourished.  Its 
proprietors  were  invested  with  such  authority  from  the  crown  as  to  render 
it  comparatively  independent  of  the  government  of  the  province.  It  was 
not  even  connected  in  its  civil  concerns  with  Easthampton,  the  nearest 
town  on  the  Long  Island  shore.  It  was  enveloped  in  a  web  of  romance, 
from  having  been  made  the  repository  of  the  piratical  treasures  of  Cap- 
tain Kidd;1  and  more  recently  (in  1728)  through  having  been  infested 
and  pillaged  by  Spanish  pirates.  Yet  it  was  in  no  way  affected  by  the 
political  controversies  of  the  times.  It  was  now  under  the  rule  of  David, 
the  fourth  lord  of  the  manor.2 

1  It  was  during  the  life  of  John  Gardiner,  the  third  lord  of  the  manor,  that  Kidd  visited  the 
island.    John,  third  son  of  the  third  lord,  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Governor  Saltonstall 

granddaughter  of  Sir 
Of  the  daughters  of 
lord  of  the  manor, 
John  Chandler  of 
chusetts,  and  was  the 
Hon.  George  Ban- 
and  Elizabeth  mar- 
of  Boston,  and  was 
tinguishod  Gardiner 
Elizalx'th,  daughter 
Copley,  R.  A.,  and 
hurst,  Lord  Chancel- 
dincr  Family  Pujtcrs. 
fourth  lord  of  the 
January  3,  1691.  On 
this  entry  :  "  1751, 
diner,  aged  sixty." 
in  the  fiardiner grave- 
arms,  of  which  the 
His  sons  were  John, 

Abraham,  Samuel,  and  David.  The  widow  of  John  (fifth  lord)  married  General  Putnam, 
»nd  died  at  the  headquarters  of  the  army  on  the  Hudson,  and  was  buried  in  the  private  vault 
of  Colonel  Beverly  Robinson, 


of  Connecticut  (the 
Richard  Saltonstall). 
John  Gardiner,  third 
Hannah  married 
Worcester,  Massa- 
great-grandmother  of 
croft,  the  historian  ; 
ried  Thomas  Green 
the  mother  of  the  dis- 
Green,  who  married 
of  John  Singleton 
sister  of  Baron  Lynd- 
lorof  England.— Oar- 
a  David  Gardiner, 
manor,  was  born 
the  church  records  is 
July  4, died  LordOar- 
Upon  his  tombstone 
yard  is  the  coat-of- 
sketch  is  a  fac-simile. 


The  Gardiner  Arms. 


